Creamy Fontina & Spinach Baked Eggs

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Peel, halve and thinly slice the onion. Peel the garlic; mince 3 of the cloves, leaving the remaining clove whole. Pick the thyme leaves off the stems; discard the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Grate the Fontina cheese. Cut the baguette crosswise on an angle into ¾-inch-thick slices.

In a large, high-sided pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Working in batches if necessary, add the spinach; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 4 minutes, or until wilted. Transfer to a strainer; hold or rest the strainer over a bowl. Using a spoon, press down on the cooked spinach to release as much liquid as possible; discard the liquid. Transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Wipe out the pan.

In the pan used to cook the spinach, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the flour. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the flour is golden brown.

Add the milk and 1 cup of water to the pan of vegetables; season with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 2 to 4 minutes, or until thoroughly combined and the liquid has thickened slightly. Add the Fontina cheese, Parmesan cheese and chopped spinach; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until thoroughly combined and the cheese has melted. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer the finished filling to a baking dish. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Using a spoon or spatula, create a well in 1 corner of the filling, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Carefully pour the seasoned egg into the well. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Bake 14 to 16 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your desired degree of doneness. Remove from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes.

While the casserole bakes, place the baguette on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Arrange in a single, even layer. Toast in the oven 7 to 9 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, carefully rub the cut sides of the toasted baguette with the whole garlic clove; discard the clove. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve with the baked casserole. Enjoy!