Morton Family Strata Recipe.

Meredith Morton and her throat-clearing tick had a great family recipe for strata that we have adapted into our own family tradition on Christmas morning. The Family Stone is one of my favorite holiday movies to watch every year and I was excited when the recipe for the strata was part of the DVD extra.  I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does.

8          Slices of white bread
8 oz.    Sliced Mozzarella cheese
2          Cans {14 oz size} sliced tomatoes {or sliced fresh}
13 oz.  Can sliced mushrooms, drained {or sauteed fresh mushrooms}
1          Medium onion, thinly sliced into rings
5          Eggs
3 C      Milk
1 tsp.   Salt
1 tsp.   Oregano
Pinch of garlic salt
Some Parmesan cheese
Some sliced black olives

Using a cookie cutter, a doughnut cutter, or the lid from a jar, cut bread into shapes or circles. Set aside. Place bread scraps in bottom of buttered 9" by 13" baking dish. Layer half of the cheese over the bread. Arrange half of the tomatoes and all of the onion rings and mushrooms over the cheese. Cover with the rest of the cheese. Arrange the bread shapes on the cheese. Put slices of the tomato in the center of each bread shape. Combine slightly beaten eggs, milk, salt, oregano, and garlic salt. Pour over the bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with olives. Cover. Refrigerate for six hours or overnight. Bake 1 - 1 1/2 hours in a 325 degree oven, or until knife comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes to firm. Serves 8.