Bacon-asparagus Strata

Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• nonstick cooking spray
• 8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and chopped
• 1 (9 ounce) package frozen cut asparagus, thawed and well-drained
• 3/4 cup bottled roasted sweet red pepper, drained and chopped
• 12 slices dry bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
• 3 cups shredded swiss cheese (12 oz)
• 8 eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard (or 3 t dijon mustard)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Recipe

• 1 lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
• 2 in a medium bowl, combine bacon, asparagus, and red peppers.
• 3 place half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish.
• 4 top with half of the bacon mixture and half of the cheese.
• 5 repeat layers with remaining bread cubes, bacon mixture, and cheese.
• 6 in a big bowl, beat eggs with a whisk; beat or whisk in milk, mustard, salt, and cayenne pepper.
• 7 carefully pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture in dish.
• 8 using the back of a spoon, gently press down on layers to moisten all of the bread.
• 9 cover dish with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours.
• 10 preheat oven to 325°; bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes or until puffed, golden, and set.
• 11 let stand for 10 minutes before serving.