Going-Away Strata
a.k.a. Kitchen Sink Strata or Whatever-Might-Go-Stinky Strata. This was my method of using up the last of the stale buns, veg, milk and eggs before we take off for the weekend, with a chunk of ham from the freezer and some grated cheese for good measure.
Strata is easy. Fill a baking dish with torn or cubed stale bread and handfuls of leftover cooked veg, meat and grated cheese. Measurements don’t matter. Whisk together eggs and milk – about 8 eggs per cup of milk – I added a big spoonful of jarred pesto, too. Pour over the bread-meat-veg mixture and top with grated cheese. Stash in the fridge overnight or through the day, and ask whomever is home before you to pop it into the oven for half an hour or forty-five, until bubbly and golden.
W took it upon himself to prepare his own dinner as we watched the Olympic opening ceremonies. He brought his plate in exactly like this. Three pieces of popcorn, copious amounts of ketchup for dipping, a pear, and a water. It reminded me of something you might see on an 80s diet plate – alongside the bunless burger patty topped with a scoop of cottage cheese and a wedge of cantaloupe. He was perfectly happy.
(My favourite part is the detached Venom claw reaching out from under the newspaper.)
We’re taking off for the weekend, heading to the BC interior (crazy, yes, in tandem with the start of the Olympics) to visit friends. (Of course y’all are coming with me.) I need to get away for a bit; Mike needs some non-crazy and sleep deprived Julie time (if there is such a thing) so our solution is to drive for six hours, stop at Tim’s and for ice cream and cow-petting on the way, and if all goes according to my master plan, get cooked for. The very best kind of therapy.
And although you may be getting tired of hearing it, I have one final Blog Aid update – we’ve reached the end of our run, wrapping it up to coincide with the end of the government’s match program (and the start of the Olympics) and I’m proud to report 1818 books sold, with a total of $47,166.00 (including the Canadian government’s matching donation) going to Haiti relief. (That’s almost 50 grand you guys! in a little over a week!) At the risk of repeating myself, I’m just totally blown away by everyone’s generosity. Thank you so much.
And of course thanks to West Canadian Graphics, Blurb and Cathryn Ironside, who spent countless hours turning the piles of recipes and photos into something we could all keep on our kitchen shelves and use to feed our families and friends. What wonderful evidence of what good can come from a single thought, when so many generous people work together to bring an idea to fruition. Thanks as well to all twenty-seven food bloggers – you know who you are – who donated recipes and images and tweeted and facebooked to help spread the word. It wouldn’t have happened without you, either.
And of course, THANKS to all of you who bought a copy! Or two. Or four.
My biggest, deepest thanks to all. There is so much good in the world, isn’t there?
One Year Ago: BBQ Buffalo Chicken Strips with Blue Cheese Dip
February 12 2010 11:42 pm | leftovers
Rebecca on 12 Feb 2010 at 11:46 pm #
What an amazingly impressive total! Huge congrats on a job well-done. I’m pleased to have been part of this (even if it was only because I ordered a copy of the book)
Erica B. on 13 Feb 2010 at 12:06 am #
Bravo & enjoy the much deserved family time!
Donna on 13 Feb 2010 at 12:13 am #
Enjoy your well deserved down time.
That BC stop with ice cream and cow petting is one of our favorites.
Carolyn on 13 Feb 2010 at 5:01 am #
Julie — huge thanks for all of your work on the BlogAid project. Many times during the past week I’ve thought of you and am completely blown away by all that you do. Have a great rest!
linda on 13 Feb 2010 at 6:12 am #
SWEET!!
fabulous grand total…you rock girl…as well as your entire team!!
enjoy your w/e…:)
Lori @ RecipeGirl on 13 Feb 2010 at 7:04 am #
Glad to hear about the big numbers! Yippee!! Since I know I’ll have readers asking… is there any way to still get their hands on a copy or are sales closed forever?
Lauren on 13 Feb 2010 at 8:39 am #
Have a fantastic weekend, you completely deserve it (I’m doing a very similar thing). 47 thousand is mind-blowing. You’re a rockstar!
pauline on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:22 am #
Amazing.What an idea born can do to help the people of the haiti .Have a wonderful get away Julie , Mike and W.
lauren on 13 Feb 2010 at 10:03 am #
That strata looks wonderful! And the “inner” plate cracks me up. Who eats 3 pieces of popcorn? (with ketchup none the less!). Lmao!
WTG on the book. I just wish we could have kept sales going longer. I know some people were waiting to see my copy before they ordered theirs..
Betsy on 13 Feb 2010 at 11:59 am #
I ordered the cookbook so it will be waiting at home for me when I move back to the U.S. What an incredible project, showing a community in action to help another one – I’ll be using this as an example to inspire my students in some future time when creativity is needed in a time of crisis. Thanks for what you’ve done.
Evelyn in Canada on 13 Feb 2010 at 4:58 pm #
Thanks to us?? You and your team were the ones who put in all of the work to make it happen. We just clicked on a button to buy it. A tiny contribution compared to those who created the cookbook in the first place. Well done!
Jan (Family Bites) on 14 Feb 2010 at 1:28 pm #
Wow, those are some very impressive numbers. I’m so glad I was able to purchase a copy. I like W’s thoughts on dinner…we’ve been know to have popcorn and apple slices for our evening meal, every once and while, so he’s made a dinner we’re quite familiar with.
Lana on 14 Feb 2010 at 4:17 pm #
There IS so much good in the world.
Enjoy your time away. You deserve it.
HUGS.
laila on 14 Feb 2010 at 4:24 pm #
Congrats on such an accomplishment!!! I am only sad i didn’t hear about this before you wrapped the project; if you ever decide to do another run or anyone has extra copies please let me know, i’d love to have one.
cheers!
Kathy V on 14 Feb 2010 at 5:56 pm #
Would love to get a copy of this book. Was away and no access to a computer. Tried to order one and no longer available. Please make it available again.
Barbara on 14 Feb 2010 at 7:59 pm #
I also missed purchasing the book – boo hoo. Ordering it was on my to do list for this weekend. Please let us know if additional copies become available. Congratulations on such a successful project!
charm on 15 Feb 2010 at 12:24 pm #
I’d like to order one too, but wasn’t able over the last few weeks. Please do let is know if there are options to order in the future. Thanks.