How To Throw A Stress-Free Brunch

Inspired by conversations on the Food52 Hotline, we're sharing tips and tricks that make navigating all of our kitchens easier and more fun.

This post is brought to you by our friends at Noritake.

Today, Merrill and a few of our other editors are walking you through their tips for strata baking and table setting -- so you can throw a brunch party (or a holiday breakfast for family) without breaking a sweat. 

The concept of a brunch party is all well and good until you're groggy and you haven't had your coffee yet and somehow you're supposed to feed a large quantity of hungry friends. Merrill's solution to this problem? Strata -- that bready, egg-y breakfast casserole that nobody will say no to, and which you can bake the night before your guests arrive. (Bonus: You can add whatever ingredients you have on hand.) The next morning, all you have to do is set your table with some simple decorations, make a strong pot of coffee, and warm your strata in the oven. 

More: No brunch is complete without the right cocktails.

Strata with Sausage and Greens

Serves 8

Unsalted butter (for the baking dish)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausages
1 cup finely chopped shallots
1 large bunch kale, spinach, or chard, stems removed, washed, dried, and roughly chopped (about 6 cups)
Salt
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 1/2 cups cubed stale bread (3/4-inch cubes)
3/4 cup grated Gruyère
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated pecorino

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

This post is brought to you by our friends at Noritake. Browse the collection of dishes featured in this video at noritakechina.com, and receive 20% with the code FOOD52.

Video by Kyle Orosz