Friday, August 5, 2011

Blueberry Strata

Blueberry Strata

1 (16 ounce) loaf French bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, if using frozen, drain well
1 (8 ounce) container blueberry cream cheese, room temperature
12 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Coat a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Arrange 1/2 of bread cubes in the bottom of pan.  Sprinkle blueberries over bread.


Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over top.  


Arrange remaining bread cubes over top of cream cheese.  In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix until well blended.


Pour evenly over bread cubes.  


Cover with aluminum foil.  Refrigerate overnight.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place covered baking dish in oven. Bake 30 minutes.


Uncover.  Bake 30 additional minutes.



Blueberry Syrup

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 3/4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

While Strata is baking, prepare Blueberry Syrup.  In large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch.  Mix well.  Add water.  Mix well. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Boil 5 minutes.  Add blueberries.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium.  Cook 10 minutes.  Add butter.  Mix well.  Serve warm over Strata.


I am in Florida visiting my family.  Usually when I am here, my Mom will spoil me, and do all of the cooking.  She always makes all of my favorite meals.  I decided one morning to give my mom a break, and make breakfast for everyone.  On the menu was my Blueberry Strata.  I love that I can do most of the prep for this recipe the night before. 

The Blueberry Strata was a big hit with young and old alike.  The bread had a delicious creamy, slightly sweet custard texture on the bottom, and a nice crunch on the top.  The blueberries and cream cheese added not only color, but also tons of flavor.    We had a little leftover Strata that morning, but by afternoon it was all gone.  My sister Shelley kept going back to the refrigerator to nibble on the leftovers.

The winners of my Double Giveaway are:
Facebook: Christa Storrs
Blog Follower: Discovering the Me in Mommy
Please email your address to me at:
mykindofcooking@gmail.com


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Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

8 comments:

  1. I've made something almost identical! It's so good:) The blueberry syrup really makes it fabulous!

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  2. My husband was given some blueberries last week and he asked me what he could do with them. Pity I did not see this last week :-) Diane

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  3. HI Linda, I love blueberries and this stratta look amazing! Gloria

    PD Soon I will make a recipe of your book I love it!!! thanks

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  4. WOW! What a perfect recipe; our blueberries are aboudant this year; I just bought 3 baskets.
    Rita

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  5. Yum! It looks great and I have to try it. Sadly, when our power was out for 5 days recently, I lost many pints of blueberries that were in the freezer.

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  6. Looks delicious! I have never heard of blueberry cream cheese, how lovely!
    Congratulations to the winners!

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  7. Isn't it nice to go home to visit and then when Mom spoils you just the best. How nice you gave her a break I love this recipe and think it would be great in mid winter, heck it would be great for any time one has a gang.

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