Healthy Vegetable Strata
Preparation Time: 25 minutes, plus overnightBaking Time: 60 minutesYield: Serves 8
Rare is the meal that's delicious for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner; Rarer still is the delicious any time meal that's also healthy!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz. mushrooms, sliced thin
- 2 small red bell peppers, cut into thin strips
- 2 small green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
- 3/4 package Multi Grain bread (or your favorite Natural Ovens bread), cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 cups shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 8 whole eggs
- 4 egg whites
- 2 1/2 cups low fat milk
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil and cook the onions until caramelized.
- Add mushrooms, red and green peppers, salt, and pepper. Cook mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
- Arrange half the bread pieces in a well-greased, large (4 1/2 quart) baking dish.
- Spread half the vegetables over the bread. Sprinkle with half the parmesan and half the mozzarella cheeses.
- Repeat layering, using remaining bread, vegetables, and cheeses.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, milk, and basil.
- Pour the egg mixture over the strata.
- Cover dish and refrigerate 6-8 hours.
- Bake covered in preheated 350 degree F oven. Uncover and continue baking until golden and cooked through. Let cool and serve warm.
