Recipe: Holiday Strata (make ahead)

HOLIDAY STRATA

1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ounces medium mushrooms, sliced
8 slices day-old sourdough bread, crusts trimmed, buttered, and cut into cubes
1 1/4 pounds link sausage, cooked, cut into bite-sized pieces (see note)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese (divided use)
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

Place half of the bread in a lightly sprayed or oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add sausage, mushrooms, half of the cheese and the remaining bread.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper and mustard. Pour over bread-sausage mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring strata to room temperature before baking.

Bake, uncovered, until set and bubbly, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

Note: There's an easy way to cook link sausage for a crowd. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange links in a single layer on a baking sheet with a rim. Bake, turning once, until sausage is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

Servings: 8
Source: The Big Book of Breakfast by Maryana Vollstedt