Strata's are basically a combination of bread, eggs, milk and cheese. Veggies or meat are often added as well. They're easy to make, can feed a crowd and a great way to use up old bread! Actually, a good way to use up any leftovers.
I make them most times for a brunch entrée, but this one could go either way. It'd be nice to add a little ham and it would be great for brunch. Made the way it is, it would be a nice meatless meal with a green salad. It would also be a great side to beef or pork.
The crisp crust is from the sourdough bread that peeks out the top and a little parmesan cheese. I'm all about a good crunch! The interior is creamy goodness of sautéed mushrooms and creamy brie with the bread that soaked in the eggs and make a soufflé type texture. I used a newer product from aloutte called crème de brie, its very creamy and works into the mushrooms very well.
Give it a try, and don't forget to post it on Instagram and tag me so I can see!
Cheers!
Sourdough mushroom strata
Serves 6
prep time 20 min
bake time 1 hour
2 Tb butter + butter to grease pan
2 Tb olive oil
20 oz pkg of sliced brown mushrooms (feel free to use any you like I often include some oyster mushrooms)
2 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried sage
1 heaping Tb of chopped basil
6 cups diced sourdough bread, crusts left on
5 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk
1 Tb Worcestershire sauce
1 Tb dried onion
1 5oz container alouette crème de brie
1/4 plus 3 Tb grated parmesan
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Pre heat oven to 350. Butter an 8x8x2 dish and set aside.
In a large bowl whisk the eggs, half and half, milk, 1/4 parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, dried onions and salt and pepper. Add bread cubes to the bowl and mix well, leave to soak for 15 minutes.
Heat the oil and the butter in a pan over medium heat when butter has melted add the mushrooms, let them cook for about 4-5 minutes then add garlic, and all dried herbs. cook for another 8-10 minutes until mushrooms are nicely browned.
Remove from heat add the fresh basil and the brie and mix together. Let this mixture cool just a bit before adding to the egg and bread mixture.
Combine mushroom mixture with egg and bread mixture mix well and pour into prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining 3 Tb parmesan over the top and bake for one hour, or until center is set.
Enjoy!