Potato Strata

Directions Print

MIS EN PLACE:

1. Peel potatoes, hold in water.
2. Combine the eggs and half and half.
3. Measure out and combine the parmesan and cheddar.
4. Combine the salt and pepper and mix. Preheat oven to 325°F.
5. Lightly oil and line the bottom of a 4" half pan with parchment paper.
6. Use a mandolin to slice the potatoes lengthwise, into 1/6" thick slices into a bowl. To keep the potatoes from curling and discoloring, slice them one at a time as you build the strata.

BUILD THE STRATA:

Build the first layer, then repeat until the pan is full.

1. Place 1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) of the egg mixture onto the parchment in the pan.
2. Shingle layer the potatoes into the bottom of the pan, overlapping each potato slice by 50% to cover the entire pan base in a single layer.
3. Lightly season the potatoes with the salt/pepper mixture.
4. Lightly sprinkle about 2/3 cup cheese over the seasoned potatoes.
5. Repeat to create the second layer.
6. Every three layers of potatoes, add just enough egg mixture (about 1/3 cup) to cover the existing potato layers, but not enough to make them "float" in egg mix.
7. After adding the egg, press firmly onto the potatoes to work the mixture into the layers. Repeat until the pan is filled nearly to the top (leave a little room for the egg to expand) or you use all the potatoes.

BAKE THE STRATA:

1. Season the top layer with salt/pepper and top with cheese mix.
2. Place parchment over the top of the strata and cover with foil. Bake at 325°F for 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F. (Potatoes should feel tender when poked with a skewer.)
3. Remove the pan, and carefully remove the foil and parchment, and if there are any pooled egg on top return to the oven for 10-15 minutes to finish cooking the eggs. Remove from the oven and cool in the refrigerator overnight.

PREPARING THE STRATA FOR SERVICE:

1. Take the chilled strata and run a knife along the pan edges to release the sides of the strata from the pan.
2. Place a cutting board on top of the pan and invert to remove from the pan, then remove the parchment from the bottom of the strata.
3. Cut the upside-down strata into 4x4 inch squares, and then split those into triangles. (Cutting it upside down makes for cleaner cuts.)
4. Transfer the squares to a parchment or silpat-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through and serve.