Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata

Hi! Sorry things have been quiet around these parts. The closer Christmas gets, the busier I seem to be.....I'm sure you can all relate, right?!

One of the things I've been busy at is menu planning. We're hosting our annual Christmas party on Saturday and our theme is the '80s, so I've been trying to come up with some '80s-themed food to serve. I'm thinking fondues, black forest cake, cake rolls and whatever other fun things I come up with this week!

Are you hosting any meals this holiday season? For me, it's all about planning ahead. I write my menu out, re-write and amend it as the date gets closer and then work away dish by dish when the big day finally arrives. Things that can be made ahead are always favourites because it helps to alleviate all the things that must be done at the last minute.

This breakfast strata is something that I often make when we're hosting a breakfast or brunch. My mom used to make something similar to this for Christmas morning, so I have a sentimental attachment to this dish, plus it's easy to throw together, can be customized with any veggies/meats that you like and can be made the night before ---- {WIN!}

Now you don't need a special occasion to make this; I made it this past weekend and now we have leftovers for breakfasts and/or lunches for the first part of this week.....and who's kidding who, Derek will be lucky to get even a bite. :-D

Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata
Serves 6

8 slices whole wheat bread, cubed
1 1/2 c baby spinach
1 c sliced mushrooms
1/2 large tomato, thinly sliced
2 c cheese
7 eggs
1 1/3 c milk
salt & pepper to taste

Choose a medium-sized casserole dish and spray with non-stick spray.

Layer your ingredients starting with half of the bread cubes, followed by all of the spinach, the mushrooms, tomato, 3/4 c of the shredded cheese and the remaining bread.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt & pepper. Pour your egg mixture over the entire casserole making sure to soak all of the bread. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the entire casserole. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

About an hour and half before you are planning to eat, pre-heat your oven to 375. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.

The assembly looks something like this:

Make sure you let the casserole 'rest' before serving.

I usually give it 5 - 10 minutes before diving in.

I'm sure that you can cut it into lovely little wedges when you're serving it to guests, but we don't get too fancy and just scoop out big ol' portions at our house.

YUM!

Will you help me with my '80s menu? If you have any great dishes that were popular in that decade, give me some inspiration!!!

What's your favourite dish to serve for brunch?

Have a great day,

Andrea

xoxo

Post-Workout Banana Muffin Smoothie

In keeping with my workout plans, I've decided that I want to fit in a couple of early morning workouts during the week, so that I have the evening free for dog walking and quality time with my man. This plan means I have to get up at 5:20 a.m., so I can get to the gym for a 6:15 a.m. class. Yowza!!! The cleanse I'm on has certainly given me some zip and 'get-up & go' in the mornings, but 5:20 a.m. is pushing it!

This morning there was a circuit workout scheduled for 6:15 a.m. and I decided it was the perfect opportunity to test out this early morning workout idea. So last night I packed my clothes for work, got our lunches made for today and pondered what I was going to make for a post-workout breakie. At first I thought Tim Hortons was looking pretty good, but since I'm avoiding caffeine and refined sugar, I didn't think that was going to work....and then I remembered a recipe I saw the other day!!

How would you like a smoothie that tastes like a muffin and is chock full of nutritional goodness?!? Well, I have found a kick-butt smoothie recipe that I just have to share. Not only did this smoothie recipe claim to taste like a muffin (yum!!), but most of it could be prepared and put together the night before saving me time in the morning, which is exactly what I need.

The recipe I found was for a Sleepy Banana Muffin Smoothie but it reminded me more of a scrumptious oatmeal muffin with a hint of banana deliciousness.

Banana Muffin Smoothie
Recipe by Leanne at Healthful Pursuit
(I found the recipe at Oh She Glows)
Serves 1

1 cup unsweetened almond milk + 1/4 cup for blending in the morning
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
2 tbsp oats
1 tbsp raisins
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp raw walnuts
pinch of ground cinnamon (I used a large pinch)

Optional toppings: coconut, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon or chocolate/carob chips

Combine all ingredients (except the frozen banana and 1/4 c of the almond milk) the night before. Store overnight in the fridge in a sealed container.

I was able to make and store mine right in the Magic Bullet glass.

When you're ready to have your smoothie pour the contents you mixed together into your blender (I used my Magic Bullet and once again it was fabulous), add the frozen banana and 1/4 c of almond milk.

Blend until smooth.

Top your smoothie with your favourite toppings. I used coconut, which was oh so good, but I think chocolate chips and walnuts would  make an especially awesome treat!

Don't you love my travel smoothie cup?? It's a 2004 Tupperware cup and it's huge! I can fit even my ginormous green smoothies in this cup - it rocks!

I left my smoothie in my car while I was working out (it was -4C out) and then I drank it when I was on my way to work.  It really, really does taste like an oatmeal muffin - I couldn't believe it & I LOVED it!! Who needs a fat-laden Tim Hortons muffin when you can have this smoothie?!?

Not only did it taste great, but it was filling. I drank it at 8 a.m. and I was completely satisfied until 11 a.m. Pretty impressive for someone who could eat 24/7!

This is a great recipe for any season - it's comforting and muffin-like in the winter and a nice, cold summer bevy as well!

What is your favourite type of muffin? I just may try to create my very own muffin-inspired smoothie!

Do you like early morning workouts? I surprised myself and really enjoyed it, but I will be hitting the sack early tonight :-)

I hope you have a wonderful evening. It's warm and rainy here, so not the ideal dog walking conditions. Dare I say that we may finally get to say farewell to all of our snow?? We can only hope.

Andrea