Bacon and Cheese Strata

Paul LOVES this. Nice enough to impress guests. Serves several people!

Tools: 10x12 inch ceramic or glass SHALLOW baking dish.

Prep time: about 25 min. plus 15 min. standing time

Cooking time: About 35 min.

Ingredients:

8 oz. loaf of seedless Italian bread

5 slices cooked bacon

1 1/2 cups grated Gouda, Gruyere, or Italian fontina cheese

1/2 cup rinsed, chopped spinach or sorrel leaves

5 eggs

2 cups milk

2 T. tomato based salsa

salt and pepper to taste

1.) Butter bottom and sides of SHALLOW 2.5 to 3 quart baking dish. (Use a rectangular dish that allows slices of bread to fit snugly in one layer.)

2.) Trim and discard about 1 inch off each end of the loaf of bread and cut it into about 16 slices (or however many to lay flat on the bottom of dish). If the bread is fresh, dry the slices in a 175 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Arrange the slices in the baking dish, overlapping the edges so the slices fit snugly.

3.) Crumble cooked bacon over bread slices and top with the cheese and spinach or sorrel.

4.) In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, salsa, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the layers of bread, bacon and cheese and spinach. Using a fork, press the bread slices down to soak them in the egg mixture. Let it set for about 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

5.) Bake about 35 minutes or just until the custard mixture is firm and lightly browned. Serve immediately, cutting into squares.


Source: Cooking For Dummies