Cranberried Monte Cristo Strata

Submitted by Ann Marie F

"From Ocean Spray, 2009 Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest Finalist Janice Elder. I haven't made this so I'm guessing the prep time. This needs to be refrigerated 4 hours or overnight. I want it in my cookbook so I'm posting it to share."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1 cup chopped cooked turkey (1/4 pound)
• 1 cup chopped cooked ham (1/4 pound)
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded swiss cheese
• 8 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1⁄3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 baguette (day old works fine)
• 1 (14 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce

directions

1. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Using serrated knife, cut baguette into 1/2-inch slices. Toast both sides until crisp and golden brown around edges.
2. Mix 1/2 cup cranberry sauce and the mustard in small bowl. Spread over 1 side toasted baguette slices. Arrange half of slices, cranberry side up, in bottom of dish, overlapping if necessary. Sprinkle evenly with turkey, ham and cheese. Top with remaining toast, cranberry side down.
3. Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper and pepper sauce in large bowl; whisk until well blended and slightly frothy. Pour egg mixture carefully into baking dish, making sure bread is soaked with liquid. Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. Uncover baking dish. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until puffed and top is slightly golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, blend remaining cranberry sauce and the vinegar in small bowl. Just before serving, sift powdered sugar over strata. Top each serving with dollop of cranberry mixture.

Reviews

[JJR2007]

Made this recipe for Christmas morning brunch. It was DELICIOUS. Probably could have gotten away with one layer of baguette slices and it would have been fine. It also warmed up very well the next morning!

 

[Andrea in NH]

I didn't have a baguette so I used multi grain bread. I followed the recipe as stated. The bottom layer was mushy. I've had better results using other Monte Cristo recipes.