Savory strata
peps up breakfast

"The Electric Kitchen" airing in the second half of September features Brian Choy of the Department of Health with brunch ideas.

"Electric Kitchen" airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, 8:30 p.m. Monday, 5 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Thursday on Oceanic Cable Channel 16. It also airs on Maui at 8:30 p.m. Thursday on Calabash Channel 44 (52 in Lahaina) and on the Big Island at 5 p.m. Monday and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on Na Leo o Hawaii Channel 2 in Hilo and 14 in Kona.

Here is one of the brunch recipes. All the recipes from the show are available at the Hawaiian Electric Co. Web site, www.heco.com.

Ham and Cheese Strata

12 slices day-old bread
1-1/2 cups chopped ham
1 4-ounce can diced jalapeno chilies or chopped olives
3 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
9 eggs
3 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Grease a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Place 6 slices bread in pan. Sprinkle with ham, chilies or olives, and 1-1/2 cups of the cheese. Top with remaining 6 slices bread.

Combine eggs, milk, chili powder and mustard; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake 30 minutes, then top strata with remaining 1-1/2 cups cheese and continue baking 30 more minutes or until set and lightly browned. Let stand before serving. Serves 6 to 8.

Nutritional information unavailable.

Click for online
calendars and events.