SERVES 4 to 6
TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes
Do not trim the crusts from the bread or else the strata will be dense and eggy. Using a 10-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet is crucial for the thickness and texture of this dish.
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6 |
large eggs |
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1½ |
cups whole milk |
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1 |
teaspoon minced fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried |
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Salt and pepper |
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4 |
ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) |
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4 |
tablespoons unsalted butter |
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1 |
onion, chopped fine |
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5 |
slices hearty white sandwich bread, cut into 1-inch squares |
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk eggs, milk, thyme, and ¼ teaspoon pepper together in bowl, then stir in cheddar.
2. Melt butter in 10-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, swirling to coat pan. Add onion and ½ teaspoon salt and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Stir bread into skillet until evenly coated and cook bread, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.
3. Off heat, fold in egg mixture until slightly thickened and well combined with bread. Gently press on top of strata to help it soak up egg mixture. Transfer skillet to oven and cook until edges have browned and center of strata is puffed and edges have pulled away slightly from sides of pan, about 12 minutes. Serve.
VARIATIONS
SKILLET STRATA WITH SPINACH AND SMOKED GOUDA
Removing the excess moisture from the spinach is important here; click here for more information on squeezing spinach dry.
Whisk 10-ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry, into egg mixture in step 1. After toasting bread in step 2, stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Substitute 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese for cheddar.
SKILLET STRATA WITH SAUSAGE AND GRUYÉRE
Reduce amount of butter to 1 tablespoon and add 8 ounces raw, crumbled breakfast sausage to skillet with onion in step 2. Substitute 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese for cheddar.
SKILLET STRATA WITH BACON, SCALLIONS, AND PEPPER JACK
Omit thyme. Substitute 4 slices bacon, chopped fine, for butter. Cook bacon in skillet over medium-high heat until fat begins to render, about 2 minutes, before adding onion in step 2. Substitute 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese for cheddar. Before serving, sprinkle with 2 thinly sliced scallions.