If only I were the kind of person who could wake up easily, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to tackle the day. You know, Beyonce-level, “I woke up like this” alert, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a perfectly composed, Instagram-ready breakfast in the other.
But I’m not.
No, mornings are a battle with the sun and alarms. Toiling in the kitchen is the last thing I want to do, and I suspect my fellow sleepyheads agree. Between hustling to get ready for work or bustling kids out to school, it’s easy to skip the meal altogether in favor of the grab-and-go route, nabbing a sweet pastry at the neighborhood coffee shop or hitting a drive-thru for a greasy breakfast sammie. Not that these are bad, necessarily, but are they the best choices? Probably not.
Breakfast does not need to be an elaborate affair, but it also doesn’t have to be a bowl of soggy cereal. Making breakfast ahead of time balances the need for extra Z’s with a satisfying meal that starts the day on the right foot.
Strata, a savory bread pudding or casserole, is a favorite in my home. Taking advantage of otherwise stale bread, it’s a cheesy, satisfying start to the day. A basic recipe of cheese, egg and bacon is a blank canvas for improvisation. Omit the meat, and sub in mushrooms or peppers for a vegetarian-friendly dish, or switch out the cheeses for what you have on hand. For the best results, allow the dish to sit in your fridge overnight, so that the bread thoroughly soaks up all the custard. Just set in your oven when you wake up, and go about your morning; it’ll be hot by the time you’re ready to walk out the door. Alternatively, you can bake ahead and slice off a cube to enjoy at the office.