Another Strata ... but Wait!

That's not all!

This is a good one. One you can't pass up.

Like, good enough to make for your mother.

First step: Check your DSLR, smart phone, and point+shoot cameras. Are their batteries all dead? Ok. Then you're just like me!! (Congratulations!) Go borrow your mother's cell phone to take the photos for this blog post. Cause you're real professional and stuff.

Seriously, how do all devices go dead simultaneously like this? I honestly considered using my laptop's webcam for this blog post. Should have just made a video. But then you would see what a damn mess I make in the kitchen when I cook, and it's all about illusion up in here. Side note, did you know Adele wore four FOUR pairs of Spanx to the Grammy's? Ouchies. 


This one was Pioneer Woman's idea. But I made it healthier. Cause that's what good daughters do.

Mushroom and Kale Strata
serves 8 


cooking spray
6 slices whole wheat sourdough bread
1 bag sliced mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp EVOO
1 medium yellow onion, diced
6 cups kale
1 1/2 c. fancy pants gouda cheese (I used a Goat Gouda)
2 16 oz. cartons egg substitute
1/2 c. plain nonfat greek yogurt
2 dashes Tabasco
S & P

Note: This recipe starts either the night before, or several hours before (like if you're doing breakfast for dinner). 

Preheat oven to 425F. Spread mushrooms on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp EVOO, S & P.  Bake for 15 minutes.

In a large saute pan, heat 1 tsp of EVOO.

Toss in kale and saute for 3 minutes, or until lightly wilted. Remove from pan, then saute onion in the same pan for 5 minutes, or until softened.

Grate cheese. Pick out a good stinky cheese with lots of flavor and meltability. Gouda is really good-a for this. Yeah, I said it.  

Cube bread.

Layer bread in a large casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Spread kale and onions evenly.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top.

In a blender, whip up the egg whites/substitute with greek yogurt, tabasco, and S&P.

Pour over casserole. Cover with plastic wrap. Leave a nice note for whoever gets up first in the AM.

Remove plastic wrap and set out on counter (to come to room temp).
Preheat oven to 350F
Cover dish with foil
Bake for 60 minutes
Remove foil
Bake for additional 30, or until golden

When I exported the images for this blog, I named the files "Kala_Strata" instead of Kale Strata.  Kala is a dog. For the record, I don't eat dog. Very often.

www.kameronahler.com

Italian Winter Soup

OK. I live in California. At the very worst, I can put a light jacket on and stay warm. But I'm going to go ahead and complain about how cold I get anyway. It's been in the 60's for days and days here in CA and that's not particularly toasty. For wimps like me and people who actually deal with Winter weather, I bring you a hearty and nutritious soup.

White Bean, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Serves 6


Ingredients

• One package sweet italian chicken sausage
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 quarts chicken stock
• 1 can white kidney (canellini) beans, with juice
• 1 head kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

Instructions

• Heat a large soup pot over medium high heat
• Squeeze sausage out of casings into pot and crumble
• Add garlic and red pepper flakes
• Cook until browned and crispy
• Reduce heat to medium, add stock and beans
• Simmer for 10 minutes, making sure to scrape up all meaty bits
• When almost ready to serve, dump in kale and stir
• Serve with grated romano and hot crusty bread

with stem

without stem!

If you haven't had kale, you are missing out. It's all the rage right now as a super food. Trader Joe's unfortunately doesn't carry it fresh, but you can find it in some of the pre-made salads. Kale is an excellent source of fiber and an antioxidant. It has crazy huge amounts of Vitamin K, which assists in blood clotting and has also been linked to increased bone density. Vitamin A is great for your eyesight, skin cells, immune system, and bone health, too.  Another great way to enjoy kale is as kale chips - just bake seasoned kale in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. Delish!

This soup is delicious, nutritious, and will warm your cold winter bones!