Lunch: Bacon and Cheese Strata

Are there "supper issues" in your house -- special requests that make it hard to feed your flock night after night? Join the club! And enjoy this quick, delicious solution.

Ingredients

6 slice bacon
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
12 slice firm white bread
6 oz. Gruyère cheese
9 large eggs
3 c. whole milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

On microwave-safe plate, place bacon on double thickness of paper towels. Cover with 1 paper towel. Cook on High 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Let stand 5 minutes or until cool and crisp. Coarsely crumble bacon.
Meanwhile, grease 13" by 9" ceramic or glass baking dish.
Spread mustard on 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange 6 bread slices, mustard side up, in bottom of baking dish, cutting slices to fit if necessary. Sprinkle with half of cheese. Top with all but 2 tablespoons crumbled bacon, then remaining bread slices, mustard side up.
In large bowl, with wire whisk, beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until blended. Slowly pour egg mixture over bread slices; press bread down to help it absorb egg mixture. If necessary, spoon egg mixture over any uncoated bread. Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 ° F. Bake strata 40 minutes or until puffed and golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.

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