Make-Ahead Pesto Strata

Name: Make-Ahead Pesto Strata
Yield: 8 - 10 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (125 mL) basil pesto; 16 thin slices of egg bread (recipe follows); 8 slices proscuitto or Black Forest ham; 8 slices Canadian Mozzarella or Canadian Provolone cheese; 5 eggs; 2 1/4 cups (560 mL) Milk; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper; 2 cups (500 mL) chopped seeded tomatoes; 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped green onions; 1/4 cup (60 mL) grated Canadian Parmesan cheese; Egg Bread; 1 cup (250 mL) warm water; 6 egg yolks beaten; 2 tsp (10 mL) butter; 2 tsp (10 mL) sugar; 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt; 3 cups (750 mL) Five Roses bread flour (unbleached or whole wheat); 2 tsp (10 mL) Fleischmann's Bread machine yeast

This is the Make-Ahead Pesto Strata recipe.

Prep: 20 min
Cooking: 35 min
Refrigeration: 2 h

Yields 8 - 10 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup (125 mL) basil pesto
16 thin slices of egg bread (recipe follows)
8 slices proscuitto or Black Forest ham
8 slices Canadian Mozzarella or Canadian Provolone cheese
5 eggs
2 1/4 cups (560 mL) Milk
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
2 cups (500 mL) chopped seeded tomatoes
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped green onions
1/4 cup (60 mL) grated Canadian Parmesan cheese
Egg Bread
1 cup (250 mL) warm water
6 egg yolks beaten
2 tsp (10 mL) butter
2 tsp (10 mL) sugar
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt
3 cups (750 mL) Five Roses bread flour (unbleached or whole wheat)
2 tsp (10 mL) Fleischmann's Bread machine yeast

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Spread pesto evenly over 8 slices of bread. Layer with proscuitto and cheese. Top with remaining bread slices and cut in half on diagonal. Arrange halves, upside down and overlapping in a circular pattern in 13-x 9 inch (33 x 23 cm) baking dish.

Whisk together eggs, milk and pepper and pour evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Bake in 350 ºF (180 ºC) oven for 35 minutes or until set and golden.

Stir together tomatoes, green onions and Canadian Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over strata and broil for 2 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Egg Bread:

Combine water, egg yolks, butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in bread machine pan or proceed as per manufacturer's instructions. Turn on machine and set to normal/basic setting.

Makes one 1 1/2 lb (750 g) loaf.