Italian Sausage Strata (serves 10-12)

Suggested Pairing: Castillo Monseran Garnach, Anselmann Gewürztraminer or George Duboeuf Morgon Prestige
 
Ingredients:

12 large eggs
5 cups milk
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup grated Parmesan
4 tbsp freshly chopped oregano*
1 tsp salt
2 lb mild Italian sausages, casings removed
2 large red peppers, halved, roughly chopped
2 large loaves rustic French bread, cut in
1/2-inch thick slices
2 cups grated Gouda
 
Preparation Method:

1. Preheat an oven to 350 ºF. Butter two 13 x 9 inch baking dishes.

2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, Parmesan, oregano* and salt and set aside.

3. Place sausage and peppers in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté until the sausage is cooked through using a wooden spoon or fork to break up the sausage.

4. Divide the bread into four equal amounts. Place one quarter of the bread in each of the two baking dishes. Pour half of the egg mixture over the bread (one quarter per pan). Sprinkle half of the Gouda and half of the sausage mixture over the bread (one quarter per pan). Repeat.

5. Let the mixture settle and then place in oven. Bake for 50 minutes or until nicely browned.
 
* You can substitute for other fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, use approximately 2 tbsp.