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EatingWell: Breakfast for a crowd

By Cheryl Slocum, EatingWell on

A strata, especially this one that can be prepared the day before, is a brilliant idea for feeding a house full of guests. Hot Italian sausage balances the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and gives this healthy breakfast casserole a kick.

Sweet Potato & Sausage Strata

Serves 12

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

4 cups diced sweet potato (1-inch cubes)

4 tablespoons water, divided

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

8 ounces hot Italian sausage, casing removed

1 large onion, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

4 cups packed chopped kale

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 cups cubed hearty whole-wheat bread (about 8 ounces; 1-inch cubes)

 

10 large eggs

3 1/2 cups reduced-fat milk

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Combine sweet potatoes and 2 tablespoons water in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on High until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain any remaining water.

3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and crumbling with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a plate.

4. Add onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and starting to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 2 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and fennel seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add kale and the remaining 2 tablespoons water; cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in the sweet potato, the sausage and salt. Remove from heat.

5. Spread half the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with 3 cups bread. Repeat with the remaining sweet potato mixture and bread.

6. Lightly whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add milk, and gently whisk to mix. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole, and press the bread down into the custard with the back of a spoon. Coat a piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the strata. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to one day.

7. Preheat oven to 350 F.

8. Bake the strata, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the custard is set and the cheese is melted, 30 to 40 minutes more. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Make-ahead tip: Prepare through Step 6 and refrigerate for up one day. Let stand at room temperature while oven preheats before baking (Steps 7-8).

Recipe nutrition: Per serving: 262 Calories, Total Fat: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 173 mg, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Fiber: 2 g, Total Sugars: 7 g, Added Sugars: 0 g, Protein: 14 g, Sodium: 486 mg, Potassium: 412 mg, Folate: 45 mcg, Calcium: 189 mg

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)


 

 

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