Weekend brunch is one meal that I typically prefer to eat out. Beyond the fact that I get my Bellini served to me in an actual champagne flute, it's also such a hassle to pull together something even mildly elegant when I roll out of bed late on a Sunday morning. A hassle, that is, until I met the breakfast strata.
The casserole of breakfast fare, the strata layers your favorite early-bird foods in one delightful dish. Normally, it includes eggs, bread, some kind of cured meat, and often a sautéed leafy green for a savory hangover fix. But this weekend, I also had a hankering for something sweet and came across this french toast strata recipe that calls upon soft challah bread, maple syrup, milk, and eggs, punctuated by surprise ingredient chicken sausage. It's a light, fluffy take on the breakfast sweet that's like no french toast I've ever tasted.
And the best part is that you can do all the prep work the night before, so all that's left to do when you stumble out of bed is preheat, bake, and eat. Which leaves ample time to pour your own Bellini. Read on for the recipe.
If you've never made a strata before, you are missing out! A strata is a casserole brunch dish that consists of bread, eggs, and cheese. Think of it like a savory breakfast bread pudding. Stratas are excellent for entertaining because they can be assembled the night before the party and feed a large crowd. My favorite strata recipe, one that I've served over and over again, is this version. It's got smoked ham, artichoke hearts, and three different kinds of cheese. To make it vegetarian, simply omit the ham. This recipe is one of my go-tos, and I highly recommend you give it a try. 
If you're looking for a project this weekend, why not make a wonderful and delicious brunch? This strata is the perfect way to start any day. It's decadent and rich without being too filling. A strata is similar to a savory bread pudding; basically it's layers of bread, prosciutto, cheese, and vegetables covered in an egg milk mixture and baked. 
This Friday, after you've opened presents with the family, why not sit down to a leisurely and luxurious brunch? It's a great way to start the day and enjoy each other's company. Serve an easy menu of dishes that can be prepared the night before and baked first thing in the morning. A sausage, fontina, and bell pepper strata is colorful and hearty. It contains chunks of bread, so you don't have to worry about making toast. 
