Sunday, 5 May 2019

The next WWS idea – the Strata …


or as I call it “Bread and Butter Brunch” - “BBB”. Strata meaning layers is an American breakfast/brunch dish – a sort of savoury bread and butter pudding but not any old mush – this is a cheese fest too.

This dish has so many uses, I hope you'll find it invaluable for your collection in the “Crowd Pleasers” category. Use it for a working week supper but equally for a weekend breakfast, or as part of a larger brunch. The best part is that you prep this dish ahead and fridge it, ready to bake the following day. How easy is that!

All you have to decide is what to serve with it.

The late Spring Bank Holiday is at the end of May – I discover it's now called “Summer Half Term”, anyway if you want ideas for a weekend brunch, this is the recipe for you.

Here's my recipe :

BBB
(or Bread and Butter Brunch)

French stick (225/250g), preferably stale,
sliced
6 large eggs
200ml milk
200ml sour cream (or double will do)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
salt and black pepper
Bunch spring onions, finely chopped
100g Mature cheddar
175g Gruyere
100g Red Leicester
(all cheese grated and mixed together)
Chopped chives to garnish

Your serving dish should be approximately 24cm square – greased if not non-stick.

Whisk together thoroughly in a large bowl the eggs, milk, cream, mustard, salt and black pepper. Stir in the spring onions.

Arrange half the bread in the dish, overlapping slices to fit. Pour over half the egg mixture and sprinkle with two thirds of the cheese. Cover with the remaining bread, again overlapping the slices. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread, gently press down to help the bread absorb the mixture. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheese.

Cover with cling film and fridge it overnight.

In the morning take the BBB out of the fridge and uncover so that it can come to room temperature, ready to bake at lunchtime.

Preheat your oven to 180fan/200c/Gas 6.

Bake for 40/50 minutes or until puffed and golden. Check after 40 mins.

Let it stand for 10 minutes to set the “custard” before serving. Sprinkle with chopped chives.

The first batch of photos plus hints and tips coming up.








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