Easy Strata and Variations

1. Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and set aside.

2. Whisk half-and-half, eggs, salt and pepper until smooth. Spray a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex or ceramic baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.

3. Line bottom with 6 slices of bread. Scatter half of the ham, and half of the mushrooms over the bread, then sprinkle with half of the scallions and cheese. Pour 1 cup of egg mixture over the top. Repeat layers with remaining bread, ham, mushrooms, cheese and scallions. Slowly pour remaining egg mixture evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap, then weight down casserole with 3 16-ounce cans for at least 15 minutes to submerge ingredients. (Can be refrigerated overnight, but return to room temperature before baking.)

4. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven until custard is just set, about 50 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until strata is spotty brown and puffy (watch carefully), about 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes, then serve immediately.

VEGETABLE OPTIONS"=:

Bell peppers: Slice and saute in 1 Tb. olive oil. Salt.

Baby spinach: Steam, covered, with 1 Tb. oil and salt until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.

Frozen corn: Thaw and drain.

Asparagus: Cut in 1-inch pieces. Steam, covered, with 1 Tb. oil, salt and 1/3 cup water, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover and cook off liquid.

MEAT OPTIONS:

Bacon: Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and fry until crisp. Drain well.

Sausage: Fry bulk breakfast or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain.

Kielbasa: Thinly slice.

Crab: Pick over pasteurized backfin crab for shell and cartilage.

Copyright 2004 USA WEEKEND and columnist Pam Anderson. All rights reserved.