Cherry Strata Recipes

Steps:

• .::|| Cherry Strata ||::.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
• Place 8 cups of the bread cubes in prepared pan.
• In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in pecans and cherries (or cranberries). Spoon over bread and top with remaining bread cubes.
• In mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar. Pour over bread.
• Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes 350°F, or until browned.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top individual servings with Cherry Syrup.
• .::|| Cherry Syrup ||::.
• Combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in small saucepan.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in extract. Serve warm over strata.

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Arrange the poblanos skin-side up on a baking sheet. Add the spring onions and broil until the poblano skins are charred and the onions are blackened around the edges, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the poblanos to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a plate and let cool 10 minutes. Rub off the skins with your fingers, then pat dry. Roughly chop the poblanos and onion bulbs, then toss with the masa harina in a medium bowl; set aside while you fry the tortillas.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the tortillas, stirring, until stiff but not browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the paper towels to drain.
• Spread half of the fried tortillas in a 3-quart baking dish. Top with half of the poblano-onion mixture and half of each cheese. Layer the remaining tortillas, poblano-onion mixture and cheeses on top.
• Whisk the eggs and milk in a large bowl; whisk in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper to taste and the chili powder. Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove the dish from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking and uncover. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until the strata is lightly puffed and golden on top and just set in the center, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream, jalapenos and/or cilantro.

Steps:

• Place 8 cups bread cubes in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in cherries and pecans; spoon over bread. Top with remaining bread cubes. , In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar; pour over bread. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. , For syrup, combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Serve warm over strata.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the bread on a baking sheet and toast until lightly golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and canola oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and toss to coat, then add the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread, caramelized onions and spinach. In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, the mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the thyme and nutmeg. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the bread mixture to the baking dish, then pour the egg mixture over the bread and press down to make sure it is totally submerged.
• Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake the strata, uncovered, until it is golden brown on top, puffed slightly and doesn't shimmy with uncooked custard when you shake the pan, 50 minutes to 1 hour; sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
• Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes: Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chives and remove from the heat. Serve the strata with the sauteed tomatoes.

Steps:

• For Strata, place 8 cups of bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and extract until smooth. Stir in cherries and pecans.
• Spoon over bread cubes. Top with remaining bread cubes. In bowl, whisk eggs, cream, and remaining sugar; pour over bread.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until browned.
• Let cool 5 minutes and drizzle servings with cherry sauce.
• For Cherry Sauce, combine cherries, sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract.