Sarasota's Brussels Sprouts Strata
"This is an easy wonderful side dish. I happen to love brussels sprouts and this is a great way to prepare them. If you like spinach strata ... this is just like it and just as good or better in my opinion. The onion and leeks give it a great savory flavor and then the pumpernickel with the creamy cheese is a great compliment. It is great comfort food and it reminds me of Fall. Serve this with a slow cooked pork roast and some roasted sweet potatoes for a great dinner."
- Ready In:
- 1hr 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 11
- Serves:
-
4-6
ingredients
- 6 -8 slices pumpernickel bread (torn or cut into pieces, about 1-inch)
- 1 1⁄2 lbs Brussels sprouts, thin sliced (I cut mine in half and then thin sliced by hand)
- 1 large leek, thin sliced
- 1 medium onion, cut in half and thin sliced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, i use white cheddar (1 cup after shredding)
- 1⁄2 cup swiss cheese, shredded (I prefer gruyere, a bit more if you want it more cheesy)
- 1 1⁄4 cups cream (half and half works great)
- 6 eggs, lightly beaten (I used extra large)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- salt
- pepper
directions
- Bread -- In a medium bowl, add the bread and drizzle with the melted butter and toss well to combine.
- Casserole -- Then in a 13x9" casserole dish, spray well with a non-stick spray and then add the bread pressing in a single layer as much as possible, pressing down firmly. Then in that same bowl, add the brussels sprouts, leeks and onion and mix well to combine. Once mixed, layer that on top of the bread in the casserole dish.
- Egg Mixture -- And once again -- that same bowl; add the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and mix well to combine. Pour over the bread and vegetables and cover with the two grated cheeses. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Make sure to cover with saran or plastic wrap.
- Bake -- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake the strata on the middle shelf, uncovered for approximately 1 hour until it is puffy and golden brown. Check the doneness just like you would a cake. Stick a knife in the middle until the knife comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes until the egg mixture sets.
- Serve -- You can either cut or just scoop out this great vegetable dish. ENJOY this great Fall side dish! It is very easy and simple tastes.
- You can always add some fresh sage to the dish, but the pumpernickel and brussels seem to offer enough flavor as is.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
