Cheddar-Bacon-Asparagus Strata

Ingredients

Contains: egg, milk, wheat (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)

• 1 pound bacon
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 8 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (1 pound) loaf sliced bread, crusts removed
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then crumble. Leave a spoonful of the bacon fat in the skillet.

3. Trim the asparagus and cut into 1-inch pieces. Boil them in a pan of boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain well.

4. Cook the diced onion and red bell pepper in the reserved bacon fat over medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened.

5. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread half in the baking dish. Top with half the bacon, half the asparagus, half the onion and pepper, and 1 cup of the shredded Cheddar.

6. Repeat with the remaining bread, bacon, asparagus, onion and pepper, then sprinkle with the second 1 cup of Cheddar.

7. Whisk the eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt and pepper together, then pour evenly over the layers. Press the bread down gently and let stand 20 minutes so it soaks up the custard.

8. Bake for about 60 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center. The center should reach 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Rest 10 minutes before cutting.