Summer Squash Strata

(Recipe taken from the Facebook group "Cooking With All Things Trader Joe's")

The recipe is very flexible. The base is a bread layer, typically a French or Italian Loaf, a brioche, or Challah. Even a few slices of wheat, multigrain, or white bread will do. . Play around with the other ingredients as well. Substitute mushrooms and spinach or broccoli florets for the vegetables, use swiss or Parmesan instead of goat cheese, or add slices of your favorite sausage.

Summer Squash Strata

3 medium zucchini or yellow crookneck squash (I used both), sliced into thin disks
1 Challah loaf (1 lb) cut 1-inch cubes or torn into small chunks
8 oz log of Chevre fresh goat cheese, broken into small chunks (or use TJ's Crumbled Goat Cheese)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and sliced thinly
1/3 cup Julienned Sundried Tomatoes
2 cups whole milk
6 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1.) Spread the bread cubes in an oiled 9x13-inch baking dish. Scatter half the goat cheese over the bread.
2.) In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onion in 1 Tbsp oil until soft, about 4-5 minutes.
3.) Add the squash and drizzle with 1 Tbsp oil, sauteing for an additional minute.
4.) Spread vegetables on the bread layer, scattering sundried tomatoes and the remaining goat cheese over the top.
5.) Whisk together the milk, eggs, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the top of the ingredients in the baking dish. Press down gently just a little, allowing the bread to soak up the mixture.
6.) Let the dish sit 10 minutes while you preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7.) Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes. You will know when it's done because it will puff up quite a bit. Remove and let rest for 5-10 minutes (it will deflate back down). Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve.

My (veggie mama's) alkaline adjustments:

soy milk instead of whole

use sprouted wheat bread instead of italian or french

Serve with large spinach salad

Serves 8

Note: I will be using Feta instead of Goat Cheese for cost. Goat cheese is actually a lower acid cheese though and would be a smart choice. Feta is better also and cheaper.