Sausage, Gruyere And Onion Strata

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 8 ounces italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus
• additional extra virgin olive oil, for casserole
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus
• additional kosher salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper
• 5 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 6 -8 slices day-old italian bread or 6 -8 slices french bread (1/2-inch)
• 6 ounces grated gruyere cheese

Recipe

• 1 over medium heat in large skillet, heat sausage, stirring with wooden spoon to crumble, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• 2 strain sausage of fat, and set aside.
• 3 return skillet to medium heat; add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until golden, about 8-10 minutes.
• 4 add garlic and cook for another minute.
• 5 stir in parsley, salt, and a good grind of black pepper.
• 6 add sausage and stir to combine; set aside.
• 7 in a large bowl, whisk eggs until foamy.
• 8 add milk and blend.
• 9 add 1 teaspoon salt and a grind of black pepper.
• 10 to assemble: lightly coat a 2 quart shallow baking dish with oil.
• 11 use half the bread slices to make a single layer; cut, if necessary, so they fit in tightly together.
• 12 spoon sausage mixture over bread; sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese.
• 13 make a second layer of bread, and pour the egg mixture evenly across, using a spatula to press down on the bread for even absorption.
• 14 top with remaining cheese.
• 15 cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• 16 preheat oven to 350-degrees.
• 17 uncover strata and bake until puffed and browned, about 45 minutes.