Erik E. Strata
Introduction
This is Mama Miche, and today in my magic kitchen: Erik "Estrata"
When my mother-in-law was still alive, she made this for Christmas Day breakfast for as long as I knew her. For some reason, I wrongly assumed that this was what my hubster ate on Christmas Day as a child, but the asparagus strata became a staple just a few years before I came into the picture.
Also, for some reason only my husband understands, he calls it Erik Estrata. It's delicious, so he can call it whatever the fuck he wants, and I'm happy to make it every year for our Christmas Day breakfast. It is also good for any large family gathering. You make it the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and put it in the oven in the morning. It cooks for a little over an hour. And it has all the major food groups.
I have her original recipe with all the changes she made in her handwriting. I refer to it every year, even though I know it and have made my own changes to it, it's part of my tradition to see the OG version. I love that she replaced the white bread with hash brown patties. Genius. My only change is eliminating the sage and using the Twice Stolen Spice™️.
I think you'll love it! You can make whatever changes you want because it's your damn kitchen!
But I hope you'll let Mama Miche make your kitchen magic!
Tools
Knife
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Skillet
9x13 baking dish
Ingredients
Makes 10-12 servings
20 hash brown patties, cook crisp
1 lb breakfast sausage
1 1 lb pkg bacon, cook crisp and crumble
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham (Note 1)
1 8oz. pkg frozen asparagus, thawed
10 to 12 eggs
3 cups of milk
2 tsp dried minced onion
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tbsp Twice Stolen Spice™
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Directions
Prep Time: 60 minutes Cook Time: 60 minutes
Prep
Cook the hash brown patties according to package directions and set aside.
Cook the bacon and sausage. Crumble and set aside. (Note 2)
Cut thawed asparagus into 2-inch pieces.
Beat eggs in a large bowl, then add milk, onion, salt, mustard, and Twice Stolen Spice™ and continue mixing.
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with half of the potato patties. Sprinkle with ½ cup of the cheese over the patties.
Layer the asparagus, ham, sausage, and bacon over the patties and cheese.
Cover with the remaining patties.
Pour the egg and milk mixture over the entire dish.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Cook
Preheat oven to 350º
Bake uncovered for one hour.
Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Broil for 2 minutes to brown the top.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and enjoying.
Notes:
We usually have leftover sliced ham from dinner the night before.
I like to air-fry the bacon and cook the sausage in a skillet.
