Description
A forgiving, make-ahead breakfast strata designed for the post-Yom Kippur fast. It uses day-old bread, eggs, and cheese to create a comforting, custardy dish that can be assembled the night before.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf day-old baguette or white bread (approx. 300g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed small
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place bread cubes in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and heavy cream. Stir in the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure all bread is submerged.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and cubed cream cheese over the top.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) if not already heated.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread will turn to mush. Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. The overnight chill is crucial for the bread to absorb the custard. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: Jewish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Yom Kippur break fast, strata recipe, make-ahead breakfast, egg casserole, comfort food, holiday breakfast