Christmas Breakfast Berry Strata, Vegan, Dairy free, and Plant Based

One of our Christmas food traditions is a breakfast strata. This is a simple breakfast casserole that we make the night before, refrigerate, and then pop into the oven to bake while we open Christmas gifts.  Just as we are ready for a break, it is done, hot and delicious! 

Here's our new favorite, and it is vegan and plant-based too! 

We used tofu to replace the cream cheese (softer tofu may work even better but we had firm on hand), coconut milk replaces the milk, coconut cream (from the coconut milk) replaces the butter, and aquafaba replaces the eggs. 

1 package 16 oz firm tofu, drained

1 can coconut milk (refrigerated so cream on top separates)

1/2 c 100% maple syrup

1/3 c. coconut sugar

1 1/2 loaves day old sourdough bread

Aquafaba (juice) from one can of garbanzos beans (about 3/4 c.)

1-2 cups frozen blueberries or berry mix

2 bananas, sliced

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cardamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Place aquafaba in electric mixer and beat until stiff peaks are formed (7-15 min).

Using a spoon, scoop out and separate coconut cream from milk. Heat the cream in the microwave in 15 second intervals until melted.

Line a baking dish (9x13) with foil, and evenly spread 1 tsp. of coconut cream over the bottom of the  foil in the baking dish to prevent sticking.

Cut bread into squares or 1-2" cubes. Place in large bowl.

Add remaining coconut cream to bread chunks and toss to coat evenly.  Place tofu, coconut milk, syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla and spices in blender or food processor and mix. This can be either smooth or slightly chunky depending on your preference - we are not big tofu fans, so we prefer smooth.

Pour mixture over bread chunks, then add bananas and berries and toss all to coat. Add aquafaba and gently fold in.

                                 

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake at 350* covered for 45 min. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until some of the bread chunks are lightly toasted and browned.

Serve with maple or berry syrup.

2 minute Good (not your momma's gluey) oatmeal

                       Here's a super quick, easy, and delicious way to add some oatmeal to your life.
                                                   
I grew up on oatmeal, and hated (insert many other strong words here) oatmeal. And some people in our house used to save and freeze the leftovers and serve them up later in the week too (bless them for trying to save a penny, but it put me off of oatmeal for years).
Then, several years later, I was at a friend's house and she was headed out the door and said, "just grab some oatmeal for breakfast." She was a tough fire fighting, plane jumping chick, and I was amazed she would eat oatmeal every day. I saw a canister of oats on her counter and was puzzled. I asked how she usually made it, and she shared the following recipe with me.

And if you've never liked oatmeal-you just might like this. I like the 2 minutes and 30 seconds bit.
Pay attention here-its pretty slick.

1 handful oats. (I buy the double box of Quaker oats at Costco-they aren't blended and broken down to bits already)
                                                 
By the way, my handful is approx 1/2 cup. The quantity doesn't matter, but that's the perfect amount that fills me and isn't too much.

Place oats into a microwaveable bowl.
Cover with water, then add 1/8-1/4" more. So it's just over the top.
                                                 


Microwave for 2 minutes.
While it is cooking, crush some nuts, get out some fruit, sweetener (if you need it - I like maple syrup) and a dash of salt.

I like blueberries or raisins usually. Sometimes I add a little nutmeg or cinnamon.

Another option is to smash up one banana in the bottom of a bowl. Add a handful of oats and mix in. Add enough water to cover plus 1/4". Microwave for 2 minutes. Add walnuts and cinnamon and it tastes like banana bread or a muffin.

So many options... And only 2 1/2 minutes!
                                                

We use plastic cups to send this out the door with our kids in the mornings too!