Strata for the Popeye Lover in You

I have a new go-to recipe for providing food for a group of people. It was tea sandwiches, but that was quite labor intensive, and not good make ahead food. Most people do not like soggy finger sandwiches. So, I have a new one coming to a brunch, lunch or bar mitzvah near you.

Spinach and Pancetta Strata is egg casserole and quiche on caffeine. Except there is not caffeine, just lots of tasty ingredients. Eggs, spinach, pancetta (Italian bacon), and bread all meld together beautifully in this dish. The most laborious portion of the creation is chopping and sauteing onions and cubing the bread. And waiting. There is at least 2 hours of that.

This is a great dish because it truly can be served for any meal. At breakfast it is quiche with no crust or an omelet and toast mixed together. Lunch and dinner is a casserole-like side. Also, it is still great reheated, something that scored major points for me as the sole eater of my household.

The taste. Because, when it comes down to it, that is pretty much all that matters. Okay, taste and mouth feel. The salty crunch from the pancetta perfectly compliments the heartiness of the spinach and bread. And, toward the end of each bite, you get that hint of sweet and spicy nutmeg. Who knew that little amount of spice would create such big flavor? The egg soaked bread makes for a bread pudding-like texture, but by no means soggy. The pieces of bread on top toast to a nice crunch while those in the dish retain their shape even after hours of resting in the egg mixture.

The strata is good because you can look at the base ingredients (milk, eggs, bread, onion) and add whatever you like. Broccoli, olives, basil, tomato, cheese, bell pepper, mushrooms, bacon, sausage, whatever your heart and mouth desire. Think of it: strata with cremini mushrooms, roasted bell pepper and Italian sausage...tasty, tasty! I like it when I find recipes I can switch up without too much fear of failure. It allows the creative culinary portion of my mind to stretch, and it allows me to test trial recipes out on unsuspecting victims like my coworkers, family, and friends. I have not poisoned or killed anyone yet!