Hustle, hustle, we just had Palm Sunday and we’ve got Easter weekend, it’s here!
We have good friends coming for Easter dinner and as my friend, Olcie said: ‘Why not change it up?’ That is exactly what we plan to do. However, I truly do enjoy deviled eggs on the menu, so that has to stay! Will we have ham? I’m not sure just yet, I’ll have to let you know next week. Olcie was joking with me again when he commented: ‘How about rabbit?’ Really, not on Easter, that’s a little ‘unholy’, don’t you think? I did however tell him if that’s truly what he wanted I would prepare it for him. Thankfully, he was only jokin’.
We spent the last weekend watching our son and nephew, Ari, test run their ‘Legends’ car on the track in Nevada, Missouri. We drug Grandpa Jerry along, and Phillip was so glad he went. Yes, if you want to find me on a Saturday night I could be at the track! Never thought you’d hear me saying that!
My chosen dish this week is a dish I’m very comfortable about making, strata’s.
This breakfast or main entrée dish would be perfect anytime, especially spring if you go the asparagus route.
As strata’s and egg casseroles go the base foundations are all pretty much the same: bread, milk, egg, and cheese. Once the base is in place you can design different flavors of casseroles right and left. This week I’ve chosen asparagus with sausage and cheese. I don’t know why you couldn’t go with asparagus and ham or even kielbasa/polish sausage. Kick out the entire asparagus theme and create an Italian strata with Italian sausage, peppers, tomatoes, olives and Italian cheese.
I’m also of the opinion that the choice of bread can make a substantial difference in the outcome. If I make French toast, dressing or bread pudding with my homemade sourdough bread there’s just no comparison.
For those of you who totally enjoy a Reuben sandwich consider this one: rye or marble bread, Swiss cheese, eggs, pastrami and for the very brave a bit of drained and rinsed sauerkraut. Oh yeah, I could easily sketch this one out, it would be delicious!
When you can’t figure out what to prepare for supper consider a green salad and a 9 x 13 pan of strata. You will also find there are some breakfast casseroles which can be frozen for later consumption. Not a bad idea for quick fix breakfasts.
Have a Blessed Easter, He is Risen, Hallelujah.
Simply Yours, The Covered Dish
Asparagus Strata
9 eggs, whisked
2 cups milk
3 slices bread, cubed (sometimes I use more)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 pound sausage, cooked and drained
2 cups asparagus, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces
4 ounces chopped/sliced mushrooms
Salt & Pepper to taste
Mix all ingredient together and pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.
Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to set for five minutes before slicing.
