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Simplify Easter Brunch: Savoury Egg Strata

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A make-ahead recipe that will wow your family come Easter morning? Yes please.

Courtesy of the Egg Farmers of Ontario, this egg strata is perfect for Easter brunch. You can make it a day ahead, which simplifies preparation and gives you more time to spend with the family…or hunt for Easter Eggs.

And, it’s terribly easy to customize depending on your nutritional preferences: substitute whole wheat bread for white, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and/or use low sodium shaved ham. Enjoy!

Serving: 8 Servings
Prep. Time: 30-40 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-1¼ hours

INGREDIENTS

1 loaf (about 520 g) sliced white bread (about 16 slices, discard ends)
½ lb (250 g) thinly sliced or shaved ham
2 cups (500 mL) shredded Cheddar cheese
6 eggs
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped onion
¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped green pepper
½ tsp (2 mL) dry mustard
½ tsp (2 mL) black pepper
½ tsp (2 mL) Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco
3 cups (750 mL) milk
2 tbsp (30 mL) butter or margarine, melted

DIRECTIONS

Trim crusts from bread; reserve crusts. Cover bottom of greased 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) baking dish with slices of bread, trimming to fit if necessary. Cover with ham, then cheese. Top with another layer of bread.

Whisk eggs. Add onion, green pepper, dry mustard, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco; whisk to combine. Whisk in milk. Pour mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Meanwhile, pulse reserved crusts in food processor until coarsely chopped. Set aside 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) of the bread crumbs. (Remainder can be frozen for another use.)

The next day, stir melted butter into bread crumbs until moistened. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over top of casserole.

Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°F) oven until puffed, set and golden brown, about 1 to 1-1/4 hours.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mmm! That sounds REALLY good. I have actually never tried making a strata.. it looks so easy & tasty, I am not sure why I haven’t!

    • I’ve got all my ingredients together! I love making stratas – they’re a great way to cheat and still produce an amazing result! Happy Easter Suzie!

    • I believe the recipe originated as a Christmas morning meal, but can definitely be adapted for Easter! Happy Easter Lisa!

  5. Yum! This recipe sounds easy and looks so good. I think I’ll try it for Easter brunch. Thanks lena!

    • Yup, I think it’s more of a traditional Christmas breakfast that has been adapted. Happy Easter!

  8. This recipe looks great. I’ve never tried strata! Looks perfect for Easter brunch. Off to the store I go!

    • Mmmm… okay you just made my mouth water. Breadcrumbs are an integral part for the crunch factor. Happy Easter!

    • I don’t see why not, Tricia, especially if you’re already used to the taste and texture of whole wheat bread. Happy Easter!

  17. This sounds delish! I LOVE how you can make it a day ahead! So great when hosting guests. Thanks!

  18. My sister made this or something very similar for Christmas breakfast. It was delish! Since I’m not a morning person, doing all the work the night before is appealing.

  19. Interesting recipe, Lena! I have never had strata before, but it looks and sounds delicious!

  23. I’ve never seen a recipe like this but it looks before but from the ingredients and picture I can tell it’s delicious