Menu
  • Home
  • Copyright
  • Contact

Feast on the Cheap

Entertaining Recipes for the Budget Gourmet

  • twitter-bird2-square-webtreatsetc-150x150
  • rss-cube-webtreatsetc-150x150
  • facebook-logo-square-webtreatsetc-150x150
  • pinterest-square150
  • 3d-transparent-glass-instagram-icon
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Well-Stocked
  • Links
  • Home
  • About Mary Anne and Mariel
  • Copyright
  • Links
  • Recipe Index
  • Well-Stocked
  • Contact

Four-Cheese Southwestern Breakfast Strata with Chorizo

April 17, 2012 by Mary Anne Rittenhouse 11 Comments

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Mary Anne here. Last week an old high school friend wrote to me on Facebook and waxed eloquent about her family reunions where apple-laced stratas were frequent features and she got me thinking about this versatile, old fashioned favorite. This rustic breakfast staple also used to be a staple in my catering repertoire when I was cooking full-time.

The beauty of this dish is that it absolutely must be made the day before, which in my opinion is the sanest way to entertain. No last minute prep – no panic – everything is ready for show-time! Additionally, if you stick to the basic bread, egg/milk or cream portions as the custard-base, you can create a strata using whatever your heart desires…or whatever’s leftover in the larder. Pesto with mozzarella and a layer of prosciutto brings your party the flavor of Italia, while a simple ham and cheese combo elicits the suggestion of a savory Monte Cristo sandwich.

Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day with the fam or just gathering a gaggle of friends for a spring fling, this dish divines a multitude of creative dining options. I served my south-of-the-border combo con Mango Salsa and sliced avocado, but if the spirit moves you, add a salad and call it dinner. No matter how you decide to dish it up, this strata is sure to satisfy.

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Four-Cheese Southwestern Breakfast Strata with Chorizo
Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons olive oil – stock
1 red Bell pepper, diced – $1.65
1 small Vidalia onion, diced – $0.88
½ lb. Portobello mushrooms, sliced – $1.50
2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced – $0.22
3 cloves garlic, minced – stock
½ cup fresh Cilantro, finely chopped – $0.99
Chipotle Chili powder, Tabasco, or Chili powder, to taste – stock
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups shredded cheeses: I used a pre-packaged “Mexican” combo of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Colby, and Mozzarella – $3.00
½ lb. Chorizo, diced – $4.98
8 cups of 1-inch bread cubes – $2.99
2 ¾ cups milk – stock
9 eggs, lightly beaten – stock
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $15.22
Total Per 10 Servings: $1.52

Directions:
1. Over medium-high flame, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the peppers, onion, and mushrooms. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Add the garlic, chorizo, and chili powder and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Butter or spray a 3 quart, shallow glass or ceramic casserole dish. Note: I use my Pyrex 9 x 13 x 2” pan.

4. In a large bowl, combine the eggs and milk, whisking well until foamy. Stir in the cilantro.

5. Spread ½ of the bread cubes over the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with ½ of the vegetable-chorizo mixture and then ½ of the shredded cheeses. Repeat the layering.

6. Pour the egg/milk mixture evenly over the strata. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This is critical, as the bread needs to absorb the egg/milk mixture.

7. The day of: bring the casserole back to near-room temp for 1 hour on the counter-top.

8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; the oven rack in positioned in the middle. Bake the strata for about 45 minutes until puffed and golden, about 45 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with Mango Salsa and slice avocado, if desired.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Filed Under: Breakfast & Brunch, Carnivore, Entrees, Holidays, Recipe Index, Recipes Under $20, Super Sundays Tagged With: Afternoon Parties, Baking, breakfast, brunch, budget, cooking, dinner, entertaining, family, food, kid-friendly, leftovers, lunch, recipes, Recipes Under $20

About Mary Anne Rittenhouse

The mother in this mother-daughter duo, Mary Anne is a registered nurse who has also worked for over two decades as a professional caterer

Comments

  1. Blog is the New Black says

    April 17, 2012 at 7:34 am

    This sounds wonderful!!

    Reply
  2. recipeland says

    April 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    The photo looks so good, and the recipe sounds delicious. Will have to give it a try, probably will omit the chorizo and make it into a vegetarian version. I bet it will be still tasty!

    Reply
  3. Rhonda says

    April 17, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Startas are life savers when entertaining guests! Everything about this strata screams ME!

    Reply
  4. Baker Street says

    April 18, 2012 at 2:59 am

    Ooh! My kind of breakfast! Love your choice of ingredients. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says

    April 18, 2012 at 9:31 am

    I have an old ham and cheese strata recipe that is always part of our Christmas morning breakfast. So easy to mix up the night before, pop in the fridge and you’re ready to go the next day. Love the southwestern flavors in this one! I think I’ll give it a try this weekend.

    Reply
  6. Mom Foodie says

    April 19, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    This looks and sounds scrumptious.

    Reply
  7. Lori from A Family's Life says

    April 26, 2012 at 10:50 am

    This sounds so delicious, I’m have to try it this weekend!

    Reply
  8. JKCinDC says

    May 11, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Hi, I just got finished making this recipe for tomorrow morning. I hope it turns out ok- there are several errors in the directions that omit when to put in ingredients. I cooked the Chorizo in the pan with the vegetables; hope that was right. I added the seasonings to the egg/milk mixture. But then I finished assembling the dish and stuck it in the fridge and realized I hadn’t added the cilantro. I’m not sure where I would have done that- maybe in the egg mixture? Anyhow, it still looks great and I can’t wait to try it in the morning! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      May 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm

      Hi Jane. I’m so sorry that a few items were missing from the instructions. That happens occasionally and I’m always so shocked because I re-read my recipes carefully. I guess not carefully enough! 🙂 Your improvised steps were perfect and I updated the recipe so that no one else will have to wonder. I had added the cilantro to the milk/egg mixture, but if you sprinkled it on top, it amounts to just about the same thing. Thank you SO much for your patience and hopefully you’ll enjoy your Strata! Happy mother’s Day to you and your family.

      Reply
  9. Lindsey says

    May 27, 2012 at 11:53 am

    Made this this morning and didn’t let it soak overnight- used french rolls and it was devine! Also served with the mango salsa and the jalapenos helped clear our sinuses! This is definitely going to be a new favorite! Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Friday Favourites « A Family's Life says:
    April 27, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    […] that he is completely taking over weekend breakfast making… But I really want to try this strata… I wonder if he’d make […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

bio5

MEET MARY ANNE & MARIEL:

A mother-daughter duo starring a professional caterer and a fledgling foodie.

Subscribe by Email


Enter your email address:

As Seen In

Archives

Categories

Top Posts

  • Passover Pot Roast
  • Tuscan Sausage Soup with Shell Pasta, Spinach & White Beans
  • Orange-Mango Upside-Down Cake
  • Hungarian Mushroom Soup
  • Creme Brulee with Candied Peaches

Pages

  • About Mary Anne and Mariel
  • Contact
  • Copyright
  • Links
  • Recipe Index
  • Well-Stocked

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • StumbleUpon
  • RSS Subscription

Latest Posts

Grilled Watermelon with Goat Cheese and Crispy Pancetta

Slow-Roasted Soy-Glazed Beef with Fresh Tomatoes, Onions & Cilantro

Holiday Wishlist for the Design Obsessed

Copyright © 2023 · Feast on The Cheap · Built By VarickDesign

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.