--- title: Naptime Chef: Asparagus & Mushroom Strata for Winter Brunch description: In the winter I tend to do more brunch-style entertaining. I’ve come to realize that part of the reason for this is because I like... canonical: https://time.com/archive/7136866/naptime-chef-asparagus-mushroom-strata-for-winter-brunch/ author: TIME Staff article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2013-01-18T17:00:16.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-03-16T10:08:54.040Z article:section: Health og:title: Naptime Chef: Asparagus & Mushroom Strata for Winter Brunch og:description: In the winter I tend to do more brunch-style entertaining. I’ve come to realize that part of the reason for this is because I like... og:url: https://time.com/archive/7136866/naptime-chef-asparagus-mushroom-strata-for-winter-brunch/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt11e6b4ff13206f4e/698a92fcb21a9c18a9510234/naptime-chef.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2592 og:image:height: 1458 og:image:alt: naptime chef og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Naptime Chef: Asparagus & Mushroom Strata for Winter Brunch twitter:description: In the winter I tend to do more brunch-style entertaining. I’ve come to realize that part of the reason for this is because I like... twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt11e6b4ff13206f4e/698a92fcb21a9c18a9510234/naptime-chef.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Health](/section/health/) # Naptime Chef: Asparagus & Mushroom Strata for Winter Brunch by [TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/) Jan 18, 2013 5:00 PM UTC  COURTESY OF SOURCE by [TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/) Jan 18, 2013 5:00 PM UTC In the winter I tend to do more brunch-style entertaining. I’ve come to realize that part of the reason for this is because I like to have people over when there is daylight. In the summer it is easy to throw an evening soiree that begins at five because there are at least three more hours of daylight ahead. But, in the winter, it’s brunch time all the way. My favorite winter party brunch dish is the classic strata. I find strata-making much easier than tackling a quiche. Since there is no crust making involved, you can save a lot of time. And once you’ve mastered the basic strata recipe you can make them in whatever flavors you want. Quiches aren’t quite as flexible. I find them more finicky since they can bake up differently depending on the fillers I choose. (**MORE:** [Pumpkin Ginger Tortellini Soup: The Naptime Chef’s Recipe for Getting More out of Your Jack-o’-Lantern](http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/19/pumpkin-ginger-tortellini-soup-the-naptime-chefs-recipe-for-getting-more-out-of-your-jack-o-lantern/)) I generally make mine the night before then bake it up for breakfast the next morning before guests arrive. The recipe below easily feeds a crowd of eight to ten people, or more if a few of the guests are kids. **Overnight Asparagus & Mushroom Strata** _Ingredients_ _7 or 8_ thin stalks of asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces _1_ small shallot, finely chopped _1_ cup thinly sliced mushrooms _2_ tablespoons unsalted butter _1_ teaspoon kosher salt _1/2_ teaspoon ground black pepper _2_ cups coarsely grated Gruyere cheese _1_ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese _2 1/2_ cups 1% milk _8_ large eggs _1/2_ pound ciabatta bread, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes 1\. In a medium saute pan melt the butter over medium heat and add the asparagus, shallots, and mushrooms. Allow the vegetables to saute for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms and shallots are softened and the asparagus can be easily speared with a fork. 2\. Meanwhile, mix the cheeses in a bowl with the salt and pepper and set aside. Then whisk together the eggs and milk and set aside. 3\. Generously butter a 13 x 9 baking dish and layer everything as follows: one third of the bread cubes, followed by one third of the cooked vegetable mixture, followed by one-third of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering two more times. Then, pour the egg and milk mixture over the entire dish, pushing down on the bread so it begins to soak up the custard. Cover the dish and chill it in the refrigerator for 6 hours, or up to 24. 4\. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring the strata to room temperature, then bake it for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it is puffed up the bread tops are golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving. (**MORE:** [Apple Cake: The Naptime Chef’s Fall Recipe for Foodies Who Are Also Harried Parent](http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/12/apple-cake-the-naptime-chefs-fall-recipe-for-foodies-who-are-also-harried-parents/)[_s_](http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/12/apple-cake-the-naptime-chefs-fall-recipe-for-foodies-who-are-also-harried-parents/)) _Kelsey Banfield is the author of the popular family cooking blog_ [_The Naptime Chef_](http://www.thenaptimechef.com/)_. Her first cookbook,_ [The Naptime Chef: Fitting Great Food into Family Life](http://www.amazon.com/Naptime-Chef-Fitting-Great-Family/dp/0762442123)_, was published in spring 2012 by Running Press._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7136866/naptime-chef-asparagus-mushroom-strata-for-winter-brunch/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7136866/naptime-chef-asparagus-mushroom-strata-for-winter-brunch/"},"headline":"Naptime Chef: Asparagus & Mushroom Strata for Winter Brunch","datePublished":"2013-01-18T17:00:16.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-16T10:08:54.040Z","description":"In the winter I tend to do more brunch-style entertaining. 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