Marilou's make-ahead breakfast bake is a cinch, particularly when leftover ham is used. Chock-full of peppers, onions and cheese, the eye-opener makes an ideal contribution to brunch buffets and is a great way to start the day.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium onions, quartered and sliced
3/4 cup julienned green pepper
3/4 cup julienned sweet red pepper
1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham (3/4 pound)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 large eggs
2 cups 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute onions and peppers until tender. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer half of each of the following: bread cubes, onion mixture, ham and cheese. Repeat layers.
2Whisk together eggs, milk, pepper and salt; pour over layers. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
3Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.
