Strata

Do you have a large family to feed? Breakfast/Brunch guests coming over but you don't have the time to prepare a gourmet feast?
Try Strata. You prepare it the night before, then bake it in the morning.

Never heard of it?
Me either... I was perusing my latest cookbook from the library, 'Sunset 2004 Recipe Annual', and I ran across a recipe for Sicilian-Style Strata.

My version is only slightly altered:

1 (1lb) loaf of bread cut into 1 inch cubes (use whatever you have) I used sour dough
8 ounces of ham or prosciutto (use more or less depending on your taste)

half of a red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup sliced green onion

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 diced tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped olives (I omitted)

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

6 eggs

3 cups milk

1/2-3/4 teaspoon salt (how salty is your ham?)

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

chopped parsley

drained capers

In a lightly oiled 9x13 baking dish, layer:

-half of cubed bread

-ham

-bell pepper

-green onion

-parmesan cheese

Then layer with

-remaining bread

-tomatoes

-olives

-cheddar

Whisk

-eggs

-milk

-salt & pepper

-mustard

pour over layered ingredients, cover and refrigerate till morning.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-50 minutes.

Garnish with parsley and capers

I love the versatility of this dish! You can use any type of bread, cheese and veggies. Whatever you like, whatever you have on hand.