This strata is like a savory bread pudding; custardy on the inside and crisp on the outside. It’s a nod to the version my Aunt Judy makes . . . serious incentive to wake up.
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups 1% or 2% milk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
5 large eggs
1 pound whole grain bread (day old is best), cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook sausage for 5 minutes, until browned, breaking apart with a spatula. If there is fat, spoon out and discard all but 2 teaspoons. Add onion and mushrooms to pan, season with salt and pepper and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
Whisk together milk, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, nutmeg, eggs and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray and arrange half of the bread slices along the bottom. Spoon half of the sausage mixture evenly over the bread followed by 1/4 cup of cheese. Top with another layer of remaining bread, sausage and 1/4 cup cheese. Pour egg mixture evenly over the top. With the back of a spatula, press everything down to moisten with liquid. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350.
Top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese and bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serves 12
my son cannot eat milk or eggs…substitute broth for milk? something for eggs? looks so yummy!
Hi Sandra. Because this dish is so much about those eggs and milk melding with the bread, I’d suggest going with something else entirely rather than try to make substitutions work. I’d highly recommend this pork and squash tortilla bake. http://nourishnetwork.com/2011/12/23/pork-and-squash-enchilada-bake/ . You can feel free to substitute turkey or any other meat for the pork, and any veggie you want. And it definitely hits the same comfy place as the strata!