Smoked Cheesy Kale and Mushroom Strata

Ingredients

• 9 large eggs
• 4 cups milk (I used whole, but non-fat or 2% will work too)
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 small bundle kale, chopped
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 ½ cup (.3lb) shredded aged white cheddar cheese (other good options: Gruyere, Swiss, Comte)
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms (I used a mix of chantrelles, cremini and oysters)
• 7 cups white bread, cubed (about 1 loaf)
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325° F.
2. 2
   Add eggs and milk to a large bowl; whisk until combined. Mix in the Dijon mustard, salt, kale, shallot, garlic, cheese and mushrooms. Mix until thoroughly combined.
3. 3
   Place bread cubes in the bottom of a 16 x 10-inch baking dish. Pour egg and milk mixture over bread cubes and soak for 15 minutes. After it’s done soaking, give it a stir so not all of the mix-ins (mushroom and kale) is on top. Place baking dish on top of a baking sheet (mixture may bubble over a bit while cooking). Transfer to oven and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until top is golden brown and center is set.