CREAMY EGG STRATA

Creamy Egg Strata image

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 loaf French Bread (Cubed)
6 tablespoons Butter
2 cups Swiss Cheese (Shredded)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (Grated)
1/3 cup Onion (Chopped)
1 tablespoon Garlic (Minced)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup Dry White Wine
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 cup Sour Cream
8 Eggs (Lightly Beaten)
1 batch Chives
1/2 pound Breakfast Sausage (optional)
1 batch Bacon Bits (optional)

Steps:

Place bread cubes in a well-buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter, and drizzle over bread cubes. Sprinkle with cheeses.
Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Whisk in broth and next 4 ingredients until blended. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Gradually whisk about one-fourth of hot sour cream mixture into eggs; add egg mixture to remaining sour cream mixture, whisking constantly. Pour mixture over cheese in baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 8 to 24 hours.
Let strata stand at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove plastic wrap, and bake 30 minutes or until set. Serve immediately.