Caroline, Chicago, IL
Gathering together for brunch is my new favorite way to entertain. We had a delightful, long dinner party some weeks ago but recovery is a little harder with a baby that wakes up before 7 am no matter when you go to sleep. On Sunday morning, we had guests over and thanks to a menu that could be prepared entirely the night before, it was the easiest social gathering I’ve hosted.
My pal Ebony, ultra creative owner of Snow & Graham, inspired yet another culinary decision of mine. The weekend before, she served us a memorable strata layered with goat cheese, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes. I followed her lead and welcomed strata into my brunch repertoire. Strata is basically an eggy bread pudding that soaks overnight. Below is the recipe I used and a few variations. Be creative.
I love the menus that Kristen at The Kitchen Sink Recipes offers. So, here is one of my own for an easy Mother’s Day Brunch to feed a crowd.
Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyere Strata
Fresh Fruit Salad
Coffee
Consider a little take home gift of baked goods if you have time in advance. Perhaps some White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies packed in paper-covered recycled canister or mini Banana Bread Loaves.
Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyere Strata
Serves 8-10
8 cups day old bread cut in 1 inch pieces (Italian loaf would be good. I used Challah)
9 eggs
3 cups milk
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
8-10 sliced button mushrooms
1 cup fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
Use day old bread for this recipe OR heat cubes of bread in a 250 degree oven for about 10 minutes to dry it out. The dryer bread will soak up the egg and milk mixture better. Beat together eggs and milk with a whisk. Add mustard, salt and pepper and whisk together. Put bread in a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish. Add mushrooms, spinach and half the cheese. Use your hands to mix it together slightly, spreading it evenly around the pan. Gently pour the egg mixture over it, covering the bread mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the strata for 30-40 minutes until egg is set and edges are browned. Serve warm.
Variations: Make the same bread and egg mixture but try different veggies and cheese: Goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil OR Canadian bacon, mushrooms and cheddar cheese.
May 5th, 2009 at 9:20 am
This looks delicious! Perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Your photo stopped me in my Webby tracks! I like the casual nature of this recipe and its openness to variations. Is perfect weekend brunch fare—toss in whatever you have on hand and run with it.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I wasn’t planning on cooking brunch for mom… but now I just might!
May 6th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Yes. This is exactly what I wanted to see. A strata is a perfect idea for my mom this Mother’s Day! I knew I needed something beyond the traditional eggs and toast! Thanks
May 7th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
[...] Make Ahead Mother’s Day Brunch: Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyere Strata: Variations: Make the same bread and egg mixture but try different veggies and cheese: Goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil OR Canadian bacon, mushrooms and cheddar cheese. Recipe found at Whipped. [...]
May 7th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
It really does look fabulous. I may have to try this out and take it over to my Mom’s for Mother’s Day. I love quick and easy and tasty. And, if you get a chance, please stop by my newly redesigned blog on my new domain and tell me what you think of it.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Now if only someone would serve this to me on Sunday morning in bed!
May 8th, 2009 at 7:42 am
[...] Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyere Strata ~ Whipped [...]
May 12th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Happy belated Mother’s Day to one of my favorite mamas!
June 14th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I made this delicious strata recipe and added sauteed onions and a package of sliced mushrooms. I also added nutmeg to the egg mixture (nutmed with eggs -phenomenal!).
The dish received rave reviews all around. It was exquisite!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Yum! Anything with eggs and vegetables… so good! Glad I found your site, looks great!
June 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
[...] I usually include cheeses, nuts, bread or crackers, fruit and leftovers. This time, we had some egg strata from a brunch I had hosted that I cut into squares and served cold along with the rest of the spread. All this meal needed was some blueberry crisp or cobbler for dessert. But of course, that would have meant turning on the oven. Maybe next time. No Tags [...]