Cheese and Bread Strata

By cindygwest

Use day old bread...preferable artisan crusty bread

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups grated fontina cheese, separated
• 1 t. oregano1 pound hot Italian sausage or Chorizo
• 1 cup diced red pepper
• 1 cup diced onion
• loaf day old bread

Preparation

Step 1

In large bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, whole milk, whipping cream and 1/2 cup grated fontina cheese and 1 t. oregano. In a skillet, brown 1 pound sausage and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 T of fat from skillet and saute peppers and onions. Combine sausage, pepper and onion. Slice day-old bread into 1/2 inch thick slices and add to generously buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Pour half of egg mixture over bread and spread half of sausage mixture evenly on top, pressing down with back of a wooden spoon. Repeat layering. Sprinkle 1 cup fontina cheese on top and cover with plastic wrap. Weigh down with another baking dish for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until brown and puffy. Let sit 15 minutes before serving.