Vegetable Strata

We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature.

Vegetable Strata

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 40 min. + standing
YIELD: 12 servings.

Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 teaspoons each minced fresh sage, basil and parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 loaf (1 pound) Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 cups shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1-3/4 cups 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus; cook and stir until crisp-tender. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • 2. Repeat with an additional 1 teaspoon oil and zucchini; add to asparagus. In same pan, cook and stir corn, shallots and garlic in remaining oil until shallots are tender; stir in herbs, salt and pepper. Add to asparagus mixture; stir in bread cubes.
  • 3. Place half of mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups cheese. Repeat layers. In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk; pour over casserole. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour.
  • 4. Bake, uncovered, 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
    Freeze option:
    After assembling, cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake strata, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 677 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 244mg cholesterol, 940mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 35g protein.