Rösti Casserole with Baked Eggs

I’ve had my eye on this Cooking Light recipe for  Rösti Casserole for a while now, but haven’t made it because DH is watching his carbs. He’s taken W to Charleston to sail this weekend, so I’ve planned a three day Potato-fest for B and myself, starting with my version of the Rösti casserole. Rösti is a traditional Swiss dish that is similar to Southern-style hash browns. I knew my hash-brown-loving child, B, would be all over it. Served with the baked egg on top, the Rösti makes a great main course. Roasted asparagus or a dried fruit compote would make a perfect side dish. 

Rösti Casserole with Baked Eggs

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup grated onion
• 1 cup shredded Emmentaler cheese
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (20-ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• Cooking spray
• 4 large eggs
• Chopped fresh chives (optional)
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine yogurt and flour in a large bowl, stirring well.
3. Add onion, cheese, butter, chives, salt, black pepper, and potatoes to yogurt mixture.
4. Spread potato mixture evenly into a 8 x 10–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
5. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until bubbly.
6. Remove from oven. With the back of a spoon, make 4 indentations in top of potato mixture. Crack 1 egg into each of the indentations.
7. Return dish to oven. Bake at 400° for 8 minutes or until egg whites are firm and yolks barely move when pan is touched.
8. Cut into 4 pieces. Garnish with additional chives and black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 portions
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes

The grocery didn't have any plain frozen hash browns, so I used Ore-Ida Savory Seasoned Hash-browns which worked just fine. I over-cooked the eggs a little so I didn't get the divine experience of the rich yolk running down over the crusty potatoes. Still, B and I both really enjoyed the dish.

The Rösti casserole would make a really great brunch dish -- do-ahead and delicious. And it makes me want to re-institute Meatless Mondays because this would be easily prepared, fine comfort food for a Monday night dinner.