Perfect for breakfast, lunch, brunch or even dinner, this savory bread pudding goes together fast and is packed with flavor.
Using eggs, bread, and cheese as a base also makes it relatively inexpensive. Experiment with other breads and/or cheeses for taste variations. The strata can also be baked in a rectangular glass baking dish rather than pie plates if you prefer.
This recipe is included in "Southern Living: The Half-Hour Hostess," from Rebecca Kracke Gordon.
Ingredients
- 7 ciabatta bread slices (3/4-inch thick)
- 5 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 cup onion (pre-chopped, frozen or refrigerated)
- 8 ounces Mexican four-cheese blend (shredded)
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chilies (drained)
- 1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimiento (drained)
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Tear the bread into bite-size pieces to equal 6 cups, firmly packed.
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Combine the eggs, whipping cream, half-and-half, onion, Mexican cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, chilies, and pimiento in a large bowl.
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Gently stir in the bread pieces.
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Pour the bread mixture into lightly greased 9-inch-deep pie plates.
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Bake at 425 F for 20 to 22 minutes or until browned and set. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Fry up some crisp bacon or Canadian bacon, add hash browns, and toasted English muffins or whole wheat bread. Add some seasonal fruit salad on the side, fresh-squeezed orange juice and rich, steaming coffee, espresso or lattes.
- If it's brunch, serve mimosas or bloody marys instead of juice for a little glam and substitute a vegetable casserole for the fruit salad if you'd like a bit more heft.
- If you are serving these savory strata for dinner, keep the bacon or Canadian bacon on the menu. Substitute a rich, cheesy potato casserole for the hash browns and add a green vegetable like steamed green beans or broccoli with simple salt-and-pepper seasoning so the vegetable doesn't compete with the main dish.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
417 | Calories |
23g | Fat |
28g | Carbs |
23g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 417 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 23g | 30% |
Saturated Fat 14g | 68% |
Cholesterol 170mg | 57% |
Sodium 655mg | 28% |
Total Carbohydrate 28g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
Protein 23g | |
Calcium 475mg | 37% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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