Strata With Cheese & Pesto
                                    
                                    
                                    Serves 4
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        - 4-6 thick slices of stale bread 
 
                                        - 3-oz (90-g) jar store-bought green pesto 
 
                                        - 4 eggs, lightly beaten 
 
                                        - 1/2 cup (125 ml) light sour cream 
 
                                        - 1/2 cup (125 ml) milk 
 
                                        - 3 cups (375 g) grated Fontina, mozzarella, or aged Cheddar cheese 
 
                                        - 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 
 
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        STEPS :
                                    
                                        - Cut off and discard the crusts from the bread. Spread the slices with pesto, then
                                            arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish or roasting pan. 
 
                                        - In a large bowl, combine the beaten eggs with the sour cream and milk, then pour
                                            the mixture over the bread. Sprinkle with the grated cheeses. 
 
                                        - Bake the strata in a 400癋 (200癈) oven for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown. The
                                            strata will puff up slightly as it bakes, but unlike a souffle, it can be safely
                                            left to stand for about 5 minutes before serving. 
 
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        * * * Cook's know-how * * *
                                    
                                    
                                        This is an excellent way of using up stale bread. In fact, for this recipe, the
                                        staler the bread the better, although if it is very hard you will have to make the
                                        custard more liquid. If you do not have any leftover bread, dry slices of fresh
                                        bread in a low oven for 15 minutes or so.
                                     
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