Simple Strata

 Never let a stale hunk of bread, nub of cheese, or leftover stray veggie go to waste in your house ever again with this very simple strata.

This dish is so easy and delicious you will be planning leftovers so you can make it again!

A couple handfuls of stale, cubed bread (we're talking stale, not moldy here!)
A handful of leftover veggies (steamed broccoli, roast asparagus, a handful or two of baby spinach, leftover pepper/onion saute from fajitas; anything!)
A sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs and/or 2 or three chopped green onions
A handful of leftover roast ham, diced chicken, bacon crumbles, or diced sausages, or leave it out entirely for a vegetarian meal
8 eggs
A cup of milk
Salt and pepper
Pesto, hot peppers, a spicy salsa for a southwest fix!
Assorted cheese nubs








Toss your cubed bread in the bottom of a buttered 9x13 casserole dish followed by your veggies, meat (if you are using), herbs, and green onions.

Whisk your eggs with a cup of milk and add your salt and pepper, hot peppers and/or salsa/pesto.

Pour the egg mixture over the bread and veggies, sprinkle with the assorted grated cheese nubs you have lurking in your fridge, cover, and allow to sit in the fridge to soak up the liquid until dinner time or overnight.
If you find you were a little generous with your bread and veggies and the mixture appears too dry, whisk another egg with 2 Tablespoons of milk and add.  It should look just barely covered as opposed to swimming in the egg/milk mixture.  8 eggs to a cup of milk is generally plenty, but amounts are easily variable.

Bake uncovered in a preheated 375 degree oven until golden and bubbling - about 35 minutes, or until the centre does not jiggle.

Adapted from Julie VanRosendaal's recipe found here.  Tonight I used sour dough bread, leftover baked sausage, baby spinach, green onions, fresh oregano, and hot banana peppers sprinkled with a sharp, old cheddar cheese.