Hello all–I have a dear friend Sue, who is one of those cooks who always sets beautiful (and delicious!) food out on the table. She gave me this recipe 35 years ago and I’ve been making it ever since! It’s a Christmas morning favorite because you make it the day before and in the morning you just pop it into the oven while kids are digging into Santa gifts! An old standby, I think you’d like it too.
MORNING STRATA
1 pound loaf white bread with a soft crust
3 cups grated cheddar (or jack or Swiss)
7 eggs
3 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/2 pound ham, cut to smallish bits*
1 cup chopped red, yellow and/or green bell pepper
Cut the bread into 1″ cubes. Spread them out in a 9″x13″ baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until frothy. Then stir in the cheddar, milk, salt and pepper. Finally add in the ham and pepper bits. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and “smoosh” it down slightly.
Cover the strata with foil and refrigerate it over night.
In the morning, take out the strata and let it sit out for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Put it into a 350 degree oven, covered with the foil, for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook the strata 25 to 30 minutes more uncovered until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Enjoy the strata while it’s still puffy, hot from the oven.
*In the place of the ham, you could substitute cooked bacon or breakfast sausage and in the place of the peppers use broccoli, green chilis, mushrooms… It’s a versatile dish that can sustain a lot of flavors!
Easy, warm, colorful. Yes I can totally see this as a Christmas morning dish.
thanks Lacey– have you started thinking about Christmas yet?? I didn’t a little talk at a young mom’s group this week on Christmas ideas on a budget– and it got me thinking about starting in on our own Christmas! I love it because that’s when all the kids come home… xo
I think I have just one gift left. I start shopping in October so we aren’t broke in December, but I would still love to hear any advice. You should do a post around what you talked about !
You are amazing Lacey!! I’ve barely started to shop. I’m going to go work on my list right now–thanks to you1 And–I gave a similar talk a couple years ago and posted it. Here’s the link https://thethankfulheart.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/simple-christmas-2/
or type “Simple Christmas” in my search box. Happy gift wrapping!! xox
Awesome thanks! I can’t wait to check it out on my lunch break later today. Thanks Rhonda 🙂
That’s awesome– now you forget about gifts and enjoy Christmas!!
Yum this looks delicious! Thank you, Rhonda. 😊
I’m not a ham person, however I can see using chicken sausage for this. This is a warming sweet recipe for the holidays! Sending much loving your way, Rhonda. Hugs xo
Hey Debbie- thanks. How did the time go with your visit up with your family?? take care…
I think I already replied to that? 🙂 You’re a sweetheart, Rhonda. Big hugs.
This is awesome! Wow for 35 years?!
Been cooking for a while here– married to Larry 41 years and we do like to eat! Happy weekend ahead there to you, Cecelia!
What a colorful dish! I’m not sure if I’ve ever had authentic strata, but it looks delicious!
Hey Marcia– thanks! Hope you’re launching into a lovely weekend — got a good book to read? an outing ahead?
This looks enticing. I love ham and the colors too. Thanks for sharing, Rhonda! 🙂
Hey Lilly– thanks bunches! (I’m a ham fan too). xox friend!
We already have a Christmas morning casserole tradition, so now I can have this for Thanksgiving morning casserole tradition!!!!!! 🙂 Jen
Hi Jen and Gary– so now you have me curious– what is your Christmas casserole?? (always looking for ideas!). And hope you have a great Thanksgiving around the corner too. xo
Hi Rhonda!
This Morning strata looks perfect for those busy holiday mornings when there is just no time for cooking. Yummy!!
Yep, that’s how most our holidays turn out Melody– a little chaotic, but best time with the kids around… Hope you have a blessed (and not too too busy) Thanksgiving ahead friend…
Hi Rhonda – I have a very similar recipe that I make called Hattie’s Eggs (named after my late mother in law) , in fact it is almost exactly the same except instead of ham, she used Little Smokies. Like you I make it the night before. I’ve been making this for years for Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings and my kids still clamor for it – Kat
Love love the name Kat! Some dishes make it just seem like Christmas. Do you have a lot of her recipes? are your kids close by? Coming for Thanksgiving?
I love these dishes, where you make ahead and then just warm up… it helps us spend more time with family rather than in the kitchen cooking. 🙂
Hey Daisy-yep, when our kids are here I don’t want to lose a minute with them! I’m counting the days til they are here for Christmas!
This special breakfast looks huge & amazing in colors & flavors too! Another must try for sure! Yumm!
Gosh thanks Sophie– fun to hear from you! xo
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