Diane Hunley | Pedernales EC

A strata is my idea of the perfect brunch. This is prepped the night before so it’s ready for the oven the next day.

1 pound spicy breakfast sausage
1/2 pound diced bacon
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
6 slices wheat or white bread, cubed
8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

1. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, breaking it up with a spoon until fully done. Remove sausage from skillet, add diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from skillet.

3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and milk.

4. Layer bread, sausage, bacon and cheese in the pan. Pour the egg mixture over the entire casserole. Using a spoon, press down to ensure that all ingredients are submerged. Cover and place in fridge overnight.

5. Remove dish from fridge. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered, 1 hour or until firm in center. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.