Today is gray and chilly, perfect comfort food weather. We’re whipping up this cheese strata, which was created by Annalise of the blog Completely Delicious for Eat Wisconsin Cheese. It’s another way to use stale bread, although fresh bread works fine.

Enjoy it for brunch or lunch with a green salad.
 
 
RECIPE: CHEESE STRATA WITH SAUSAGE,
KALE & CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Ingredients For 8 Servings

1. MELT 1 tablespoon butter in sauté pan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Drain on paper towel. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and onions to pan and cook over low heat until onions are soft and caramelized, 15-20 minutes. Add kale and cook until wilted, stirring frequently.

2. BUTTER a 9×13–inch baking dish. Distribute 1/3 bread cubes in bottom of dish. Top with 1/3 of sausage, kale and onions. Sprinkle with 1/3 of Fontina and Parmesan. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients.

3. WHISK together in large bowl the milk, eggs, mustard, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour over baking dish, making sure all bread cubes are moistened. Press mixture down so it lays flush with the top of baking pan.

4. COVER with buttered foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

5. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Let the strata come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake uncovered 50-55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in fridge.

A strata or strata is a layered casserole dish, similar to a quiche or frittata. The base is a mixture of bread, eggs and cheese, to which any variety of ingredients can be added. Sausage or ham and vegetables are particularly popular.

Strata is the plural of stratum, the Latin word for layer.

According to Wikipedia, the earliest strata recipe known is from 1902, a gratin of layers of bread, white sauce, and cheese, but no eggs.

You can make pudding or buy it. Making it is better and lots more fun. We’ve been spending more and more time with Puddin’: Luscious and Unforgettable Puddings, Parfaits, Pudding Cakes, Pies, and Pops.

The book, by the owner of a pudding store in New York City, has foolproof pudding recipes, from standards to modern twists. Get your copy here.

PICK A PUDDING

• Banana pudding
• Butterscotch pudding
• Chocolate pudding
• Coffee pudding
• Lemon pudding
• Pistachio pudding
• Tapioca pudding
• Rice pudding
• Vanilla pudding
• Modern puddings: Dulce de Leche, Key Lime, Malted Milk, Nutella, Peanut Butter and many others
• Seasonal favorites like Eggnog, Maple and Pumpkin Pie puddings

Cookie & Cake Toppings

• Brownie crumbs
• Cake cubes (from any type of cake)
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Vanilla wafer crumbs
• Other cookie crumbs

 
Sauce Toppings

• Caramel sauce
• Dulce de leche
• Fudge sauce
• Fruit sauce: berry, cherry, peach melba
• Marshmallow creme
• Whipped cream

Candies & Nuts

• Baking chips: chocolate, butterscotch, mint, peanut butter, vanilla
• Candied nuts (any type, including honey roasted nuts)
• Candied orange peel
• Chopped brittle or toffee
• Gummies
• Mini candies (malt balls, M&Ms, marshmallows)
• Mini pretzels, chopped chocolate covered pretzels
• Reese’s Pieces
• Sprinkles

 
Wild Card

• Candied bacon
• Coconut
• Dried berries: cherries, cranberries

FOR A PARTY PUDDING BAR

1. MAKE the pudding in large bowls. Consider adding dairy free (vegan) and sugar free options.

2. KEEP each bowl on a bed of crushed ice.

3. PLACE the toppings in smaller bowls, each with its own serving spoon. Refilling topping bowls as needed.

Make crunchy, Mexican-style snacks with baby bell peppers (© photo courtesy The Laughing Cow.)

These fun snacks can be served as hors d’oeuvre with beer, cocktails or wine; as a casual first course; or as an anytime snack. The ideas below can be ported to pairing any cheese, spread or dip. In addition to bread, the cheese spreads are paired with crackers and veggies.

In fact, the next time you’re planning a cheese course or a cheese platter, think of choosing more interesting breads and crackers, such as:

• Arepas (a thicker version of a tortilla)
• Banana bread and date nut bread (especially delicious with double-creme and triple-creme cheeses like Brie)
• Corn bread (great with chile-based cheeses like Pepper Jack)
• Irish soda bread (try with everything from fresh, soft cheeses to aged Cheddar and Gouda)
• Onion bread (especially for adding a kick to mild cheeses)
• Pretzel bread (a universal favorite)
• Pumpernickel or dark rye bread (delicious with firm, hearty cheeses)
• Raisin semolina bread (a partner for everything from mild to hearty cheeses)

 
Find many other types of bread in our yummy Bread Glossary.

MILD PAIRINGS

Spread: Creamy Original Swiss
Pairing: Banana Bread With Walnuts

Banana bread and other fruit breads (such as date nut bread and raisin bread) are delicious with fresh cheeses and double-crème cheeses like Brie. The sweet bread really turns the cheese course into dessert. It the walnuts aren’t already baked into the banana bread, add them as a garnish.

Spread: Creamy Light Swiss
Pairing: Kale Leaf

What selection of recipes would be complete without kale? Here, crunchy kale substitutes for bread (or the more conventional endive leaf), and a slice of turkey roll adds protein to this better-for-you “Swiss and turkey wrap.” Garnish with halved cherry or grape tomatoes.

Spread: Creamy Swiss Garlic & Herb
Pairing: Pita Bites or Pita Chips

Dress up plain old pita garlic and herb cheese spread, sliced black olives and strips of roasted red pepper (pimento). Optional garnish: snipped chives.

 
Spread: Creamy White Cheddar Flavor
Pairing: Pretzel Crisps (Or Other Pretzel Flats)

Pretzel flats are an under-used pairing with cheese. They work with any cheese, from mild to spicy. Optional garnish: snipped herbs.

 
Spread: Creamy Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil
Flavor
Pairing: Mini Bagel

Make a “white pizza” with mini bagels, or use bagel chips for a crispy change of pace. Optional garnish: oregano.

No hummus today: a new way to enjoy pita (photo © The Laughing Cow).

SPICY PAIRINGS

Spread: Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack
Pairing: Mini Cornbread Muffins

You can toast the muffins if you like; and if you have day-old muffins that are starting to dry out, it’s tasty “save.”

 
Spread: Creamy Queso Fresco Chipotle
Pairing: Baby Bell Peppers

This south-of-the-border approach is a new way to use those adorable baby bell peppers. Stuff with The Laughing Cow Creamy Queso Fresco Chipotle and top with some salsa fresca.
Find more snack ideas at TheLaughingCow.com.