Stress Free Strata Recipes

Steps:

• Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and set aside.
• Whisk half-and-half, eggs, salt and pepper until smooth. Spray a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex or ceramic baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.
• Line bottom with 6 slices of bread. Scatter half of the ham, and half of the mushrooms over the bread, then sprinkle with half of the scallions and cheese. Pour 1 cup of egg mixture over the top. Repeat layers with remaining bread, ham, mushrooms, cheese and scallions. Slowly pour remaining egg mixture evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap, then weight down casserole with 3 16-ounce cans for at least 15 minutes to submerge ingredients. (Can be refrigerated overnight, but return to room temperature before baking.)
• Adjust oven rack to middle position. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven until custard is just set, about 50 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until strata is spotty brown and puffy (watch carefully), about 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes, then serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until sausage begins to lose its pink color, about 4 minutes.
• Add onion and red pepper; cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
• Set aside.
• In saucepan over medium heat (or in a glass measuring cup in microwave oven), heat milk until bubbles appear around edges.
• In large bowl, whisk eggs, then gradually whisk in hot milk.
• Add mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper.
• Lightly butter 8- x 11-1/2-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish.
• Line bottom with some bread slices, trimming to fit as needed (use scraps to fill in gaps).
• Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, then top with sausage mixture.
• Top with remaining bread slices, trimmed as needed.
• Slowly pour egg mixture over.
• Press bread down lightly to submerge.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup cheese.
• Place dish on baking sheet.
• Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.