Canadian-Bacon Strata

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edf_may06_wkd_strata.jpg
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs
Servings:
6

This savory breakfast pudding looks a little like a pizza when it comes out of the oven. It can be prepared the night before through step 2 and baked the next morning.

Ingredients

  • Butter, softened (for pan)

  • 4 English muffins, split, toasted, and cut in half

  • ½ pound sliced (about 10 slices) Canadian bacon, halved

  • 1 ¼ cups shredded (5 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese

  • cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

  • 8 large eggs

  • 3 cups milk

  • 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Directions

  1. Butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish (oval or square); set aside. In dish, alternately arrange, cut side down, muffin halves and Canadian bacon. Sprinkle with cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a pinch of pepper, and hot sauce until combined. Pour over muffins and bacon; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet; remove plastic wrap. Bake until puffed and set in the center (see note below), about 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Tent loosely with foil if strata starts to brown too quickly.) Let stand 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Cook's Notes

Let the strata chill 2 hours, and it will be nice and moist. If you leave it overnight in the refrigerator, it will be even more custardy.

To test for doneness, pierce center of strata with a sharp knife; it should feel firm and the knife should come out clean.

The muffin halves and Canadian bacon are arranged upright in the baking dish for easier serving. When cutting, you'll be able to see the layers and make sure each portion contains a few pieces of bread and bacon.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, May 2006

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