My mom always made a brunch strata for Christmas and Easter. She would prep the day ahead and stick it in the oven while everyone opened gifts. Of course when everyone remembered they were actually starving, the aroma of the delicious strata was filling the home. I have since dabbled in making something similar for my own kids, and croissants have been the winner! This Savory Croissant Strata Recipe is a nostalgic nod to childhood memories. I am so happy to share it with you to use any time of the year! Prep ahead Christmas Eve or NYE and bake the next morning:)

(I found the holiday plates at a small shop, but here are some similar plates.)

I usually get my croissants from Costco the week of Christmas, because they are large and inexpensive! They can sit out a day or a few days before you use them for this strata, so they are a little stale; it allows for a better overall (less soggy) texture.

Ingredients:
7-8 large day-old croissants
5 eggs
1 c. cream
1 c. milk
A couple dashes of salt and a pinch of pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. dijon mustard
1/3 c. chopped green onions
2 c. thin sliced ham, chopped into pieces (can substitute with bacon or sausage!)
1 c. shredded cheddar or gouda
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar or gouda for topping

Instructions:
-Tear apart croissants into chunks and arrange in buttered 9×13 Pyrex dish.
-Toast in the oven for 3 min. on 400°
-In a mixing bowl, beat eggs. Mix in cream, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, dijon mustard, green onions, ham, and cheese.
-Pour mixture over toasted croissant pieces, and use a fork to spread out evenly.
-Sprinkle shredded gruyere, swiss, or whatever cheese you have on hand on top!
-Cover with greased foil and refrigerate for an hour (but best overnight!).
-Bake on convection setting at 350° for 45 min. You can remove foil for last ten minutes if you want it a little toasty on top!
-Serve warm with a side of fresh fruit! ✨
Makes 12 servings.

I usually serve this warm with fresh fruit before the kids dive into their stocking loot. Hope you all enjoy!

The post Savory Croissant Strata Recipe! first appeared on In Honor Of Design.

The post Savory Croissant Strata Recipe! appeared first on In Honor Of Design.

This week’s feeding the fam recipe is one of my favorites to make year round. It is delicious, and all of my children gobble it up in seconds which is a rare feat. You can prep this in the crock pot or insta pot, and have plenty of meat to feed a crowd. I’m calling it Carnitas Rancheros because it’s a mix of two of my favorite hispanic dishes: Carnitas and Huevos Rancheros.

This is my season line up for mouthwatering carnitas. You can put your meat in a crockpot to simmer on low for 6-8 hrs, on high for 4-5 hrs, and in an insta pot for 40 minutes! (Tried this the other day and it was as delicious as all day crock pot meat.) I used two pounds of pork tenderloin and we had a good amount of leftovers even after all 7 of us ate. Do not discard the juices from the meat! Store it with your leftovers, and I am telling you that meat will be even better on the second day.

My kids love fried eggs, so I use either coconut oil, ghee, or avocado oil to cook, and we stick them on top of a corn tortilla as the base for these addicting fancy tacos. We will then top with the meat, vegetables, salsa, etc!

Topping ideas: Crema fresca, baby tomatoes, avocados, salsa, lettuce, fresh cilantro.

We eat a good deal of spanish or latin food because that is what my grandmother raised my dad on! I would say her cooking spoiled my tastebuds and I think I have yet to taste anything as good as her homemade tortillas, rice, and beans. Whenever I make this type of food it makes me feel connected to my roots. Food has the ability to do this, which is why I love it so much!

Happy to answer any questions about this recipe in the comments below. If you give it a try be sure to let us know how it goes!

The post Crock Pot Carnitas Rancheros Recipe first appeared on In Honor Of Design.

The post Crock Pot Carnitas Rancheros Recipe appeared first on In Honor Of Design.