I Tried Martha Stewart’s Egg Strata, and It Felt Like Hosting Without the Stress

i wasn’t having people over.
but i made this anyway—because there are mornings where you need a baked reason to sit down.

you layer the bread.
you tuck in the ham.
you pour the custard and let it sleep in the fridge while you try to sleep, too.

then you wake up.
heat the oven.
and suddenly it smells like sunday—even if it’s tuesday and your socks don’t match.

What the Original Looked Like

martha makes it with purpose.
twelve slices of bread cut just so. ham cubed, scallions sliced, cheddar sharp.

two layers of everything.
egg mixture poured evenly.
chilled overnight.
baked till puffed and golden and worthy of company.

hers is pristine.
mine… collapsed a little on the side.
but no one complained.

What I Did Differently

i used wholegrain sandwich bread because that’s what i had.
cubed it with scissors over the sink.

the ham?
leftover from a deli tray i forgot to wrap.
still good. still salty.

added a handful of chopped spinach i found in the back of the crisper.
used smoked paprika generously because the jar tipped.
called it intentional.

The Way It Happened in My Kitchen

the egg mix came together fast.
ten eggs. milk. mustard. a good whisk.

i layered the bread like i was tucking it in.
ham. scallions. cheese. repeat.
poured the egg mixture slowly—watched it disappear between the cracks.

pressed it down with my palm.
covered it.
put it to bed in the fridge.

the next morning, i pulled it out.
let it sit while i made coffee.
baked it until the top curled up like it was smiling.

it fed mae. it fed me.
there were no leftovers.

A Few Things I Learned

press the layers down—it helps it soak.
don’t skip the overnight chill. it makes the texture custardy.
and a little spinach never hurt anything.

What I Did With the Extras

there weren’t any.
but if there had been, i’d have eaten them cold with hot sauce at 11pm and no regrets.

Would I Make It Again?

absolutely.
when i need to feel like i’ve got it together—even if i don’t.

That’s As Much As I Remember

it was soft in the middle.
crisp on top.
and better than anything i could’ve made in the morning from scratch.

craving something sweeter? martha’s blueberry scones did the trick last time i needed a brunch that felt like a secret.

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