Large Vegetable and Cheese Strata: History and Origin
Strata is a traditional dish that has become popular in various regions, with roots that trace back to home cooking in the United States, particularly in the cuisine of the Midwest and the East Coast. It is a baked dish made in layers, generally with bread, eggs, cheese, and other ingredients that vary by region or personal taste.
In Latin America, although the name "strata" is not commonly used, similar recipes can be found under terms like "vegetable and bread gratin" or "bread and vegetable casserole," adapting to locally available ingredients. In countries like Mexico, Colombia, or Argentina, variants are often prepared with regional ingredients and their own styles, but always maintaining the essence of a comforting, nutritious dish, perfect for breakfast or dinner.
This dish is particularly valued for its versatility, as it allows for the incorporation of a wide variety of vegetables and cheeses, making it an excellent option for using up food and creating a complete and tasty meal.
How to Prepare Large Vegetable and Cheese Strata
Ingredients: Onions, scallions, mushrooms, olive oil, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, Italian bread, extra sharp cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, Tabasco sauce.
Steps:
Assembly
In a large skillet, sauté the onion, scallions, and mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of oil over moderately low heat, until the onion is soft and all the liquid released by the mushrooms has evaporated.
In another large skillet, sauté the bell peppers in the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper to taste, until the peppers are tender.
Combine the vegetables and season.
Place half of the bread cubes in a large, shallow buttered baking dish, spread half of the vegetable mixture over them, and sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan over the vegetables.
Place the remaining bread cubes over the cheeses, cover them with the rest of the vegetables, and sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, Tabasco sauce, and salt and pepper to taste, and pour the egg mixture evenly over the strata.
Cover and refrigerate the strata overnight.
Let the strata stand at room temperature for 15-30 minutes and then bake it in the center of a preheated oven at 350°F (approximately 175°C).
Bake for at least 1 hour, or until puffed, golden, and fully cooked.
