Savory and slightly sweet, this breakfast casserole can be made a day ahead and baked off in the morning for an easy main dish. Great for entertaining.
1largesweet potatopeeled and grated or chopped in a food processor
½teaspoonkosher saltdivided
½teaspoonblack pepperdivided
2granny smith applespeeled and thinly sliced
¼teaspoonnutmeg
1 ½cupsgruyere cheeseshredded
5large eggs
1 ½cups milk
1tablespoonfresh sagefinely chopped
½ loaffrench baguettecrusts trimmed, cut into 1/2" thick slices
Instructions
Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium to medium high heat. Add the apples and nutmeg and sauté, stirring occasionally until the apples are tender, but not mushy. Transfer apples to a small bowl and set aside.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet and add the sweet potato to the pan. Stir. Sprinkle with half of the salt and pepper. Place the lid on the skillet so that it's slightly askew and cook the potatoes, stirring occasionally until just tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together, then add the milk, sage and remaining salt and pepper.
Spray an 8" or 9" casserole dish with vegetable spray. Line the bottom of the casserole with half of the french bread slices.
Add the sautéed sweet potatoes and spread evenly over the bread.
Sprinkle half of the gruyere cheese over the sweet potatoes.
Layer the sautéed apples evenly over the cheese.
Top the apples with the remaining bread slices, breaking or tearing any pieces that don't fit and wedging them into open spaces.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole. Lightly press the top of the casserole with your hands to start it soaking up the custard. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat the oven to 350°. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Bake the strata for 50-65 minutes or until top is crusty and golden and the egg custard has set.
Let the strata rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
*This recipe can be doubled.**If you'd like to add meat to this casserole (it'd be really good) Add 1/2 pound cooked bulk sausage or diced ham and layer it over the sweet potatoes when you're assembling the casserole.