Strata : 1. Mushroom and Pancetta 2. Ham and Cheese

It's my dad's 70th birthday!
This morning, mom, dad, Kim & Patrick came over for brunch to celebrate! We had such a nice time together - I really want to make the effort and get together more often.

I made strata and opted to use lower fat milk and egg substitute instead of whole milk/cream and whole eggs. I think they turned out pretty good! We also had homemade chocolate chip orange scones, bacon, turkey bacon, sausage, hash browns and fresh fruit. The turkey bacon was a little odd - the texture was a little like fruit leather. Dad said it was pretty good, but we all realized, he was eating a piece of real bacon. HEH.

Mushroom & Pancetta Strata and
Ham & Gruyere cheese Strata.
3/4 loaf Challah bread
5 Hawaiian bread rolls

Cut up bread and rolls into 3/4in cubes, crusts and all. Mix together.

Caremelized Onion
1 sweet yellow onion, sliced thin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar

Heat 1 T olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Saute onions with salt and sugar until caramelized (15min.)
Set aside.

3 C chopped mushrooms

(1 Portobello cap + Cremini, chopped)
I large Shallot bulb, diced (about 1/2C)

Heat 1 T olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and saute until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook for about 7 minutes, until moisture is released. Set aside and cool.

1 small ham steak (about 5in wide), chopped
1 whole package of pancetta, chopped

Over medium-high heat saute ham and pancetta separately.

Set aside to cool.

Egg Mixture
1 3/4C egg substitute
1 3/4C 2% milk
1/2 tsp dry mustard
nutmeg
salt and pepper
(Mix 2 batches for both stratas)

3/4 C Gruyere cheese, grated
3/4 C White Cheddar cheese, grated
Mix cheeses together

Spray 2 pans with nonstick spray. I used an 8x8in and a 9x9in.

Layer the bottom of both pans with 3/4 of the bread cubes.

In one pan layer ham, half of the onions and cheese on top of bread cubes. Top with a handful of bread cubes.

In the other, layer pancetta, mushrooms, half of the onions and cheese on top of bread cubes. Top with reamining bread cubes.

Whisk together egg, milk and spices. Season with salt and pepper. I added some fresh chopped thyme leaves for the mushroom strata. Pour over entire pan.

If the pan looks dry, mix together another cup or so of milk/egg mixture and pour on top.

Hahahhaa. I asked Dev to cover the pans and put them in the fridge. He doesn't like mushrooms, so he immediately labeled the ham and cheese strata the "GOOD ONE" with a power fist. Haaaa! And the mushroom version was labeled... "Hippy", or Hippie.

Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.
Bake uncovered for 35+ minutes until edges are bubbly and top starts to brown.
I also put it under the broiler for a couple minutes just before serving.

Enjoy!