Bacon Breakfast Strata

Christmas morning we host a festive breakfast that lasts until the last guest leaves which, as tradition has it, has been 1pm.  Bacon Strata is one of those dishes that is prepared the night before and popped into the oven in the morning, making the load lighter in the morning. 

• 12 thick slices bread in 1 inch cubes
• 7 slices of bacon, cooked
• 1 c fontina cheese, shredded
• 1 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ c mushrooms, chopped (optional)
• a dozen large eggs
• 2 ½ c half and half
• 1 t dry mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Grease a 13 X 9 baking dish and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix bread, bacon, cheese and mushrooms (if using) and place in the prepared baking dish.  In the empty bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, mustard and salt and pepper.  Pour over bread mixture, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.

The next morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Remove the strata from the refrigerator, remove the plastic  wrap and bake for an hour – until the top is browned.  Remove from the oven and rest for ten minutes.

This strata is also good adding spinach, replacing the bacon with ham or sausage and even some sautéed onions.  Yum!