Strata Loaf

I found this idea on the web and I loved it! It's perfect for bringing to a brunch or breakfast potluck. It's a sausage strata in a french loaf. It was pretty yummy too!

1 large french bread loaf (white)
olive oil
4 eggs
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
1/2 c cheddar cheese (you can substitute jack)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 c milk or half and half
2 c chopped (precooked) sausage (I used turkey sausage) or bacon/ham....
1 tbsp minced dried onion (or 1/4 diced onion or 3 chopped green onions)
(I used the dried onion so that my kids couldn't find the onion but it gave it a great flavor)

optional- throw in everything but the kitchen sink....diced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, diced tomatoes, whatever you like.

Cut the top off the loaf and hollow it out with your fingers being careful not to break through the crust. Leave enough bread to have a good layer as your base. Tear the removed bread into 1 inch chunks and place in a bowl. Spray or brush the loaf halves with olive oil and place in oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil at 350 degrees. Let the loaves get toasted while you continue to prepare the rest.

Add to the cubed bread the chopped sausage and minced onion. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk and add the remaining ingredients until mixed well. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and sausage and combine well with a spoon.

Take the loaves out of the oven and evenly divide the egg/bread mixture between the two loaves. Spread the mixture out evenly in each loaf. Top with a little more grated cheese and bake for about 35-45 min. at 350 or until the egg is cooked through.

Slice in about 2 in wide slices with a serrated bread knife. Cover with foil and take to your brunch or potluck. Oh and it freezes really well too!