Description
Even with just one layer of filling in the middle of this strata, you’ll be looking at a gorgeous casserole which should thoroughly impress your brunch guests . . . bottomless Mimosas or no.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon bacon grease
- 1 (1 pound) loaf day-old bread, cubed
- 12 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
- 1 pound fresh spinach, wilted, squeezed dry
- 12 ounces shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Oil bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with about a tablespoon of bacon fat.
- Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
- Crack eggs into a separate mixing bowl. Season with salt
- pepper
- cayenne
- and nutmeg. Add cream and whisk mixture thoroughly.
- Pour egg/cream mixture over the bread cubes and mix to distribute ingredients evenly. Allow bread mixture to sit about 15 minutes to absorb the liquid.
- Transfer half of the bread mixture to the baking pan; spread evenly over the bottom and press mixture down a bit. Top with half of the grated Cheddar cheese. Add cooked bacon pieces in an even layer over the cheese. Place the cooked spinach over the bacon; top with half of the remaining cheese. Finish with the rest of the soaked bread cubes
- spread evenly and pressed down slightly. Sprinkle with the rest of the grated cheese. Cover and let strata sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bake strata in preheated oven until set
- about 45 minutes. Optionally
- you can broil the strata for a minute or two to brown the top.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 12