Mediterranean Breakfast Strata

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic (, minced)
• 2 shallots (, minced)
• 1 cup button mushrooms (, sliced)
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• 6 cups white bread (, cut into 1/2 inch chunks)
• 1/2 cup artichoke hearts (, cut into 1/8ths)
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives (, quartered)
• 1/4 cup marinated sun dried tomatoes (, slivered)
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (, plus additional for topping)
• 4 ounces or 1 cup Ciliegine Fresh Mozzarella cheese balls (, halved)
• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 1/4 cup basil leaves (, slivered)
• Kosher salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Melt 1 tablespoon butter. For individual stratas, brush insides of four 1-cup baking dishes. If serving family style, brush inside of 2-quart baking dish.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 325°F.

3. 3

   In large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add garlic and shallot; sauté for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and marjoram and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from heat and place mushroom mixture in large bowl with bread chunks, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan and Fresh Mozzarella and stir to mix. Season lightly with kosher salt. Fill baking dishes evenly with the bread mixture.

4. 4

   In 4-cup liquid measuring cup, mix eggs with half and half and pour 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over bread in each dish. Garnish with basil and more Parmesan.

5. 5

   Place baking dishes on a baking sheet and bake for 50 minutes or until eggs have set. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.