Brunch Spinach Strata - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 slices firm white bread
4 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 c.)
1 (10 oz.) pkg. chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 Tbsp. margarine or butter, softened
2 c. milk
6 large eggs
1/2 c. loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Preparation

Grease 8 x 8 glass baking dish. Place 4 slices of bread in dish. Top with 1/2 cup cheese, all spinach, then remaining cheese. Spread margarine or butter on one side of remaining bread slices. Place in dish, buttered side up. In medium bowl with wire whisk or fork, beat eggs, milk, basil, salt and pepper until blended. Slowly pour egg mixture over bread slices. Prick bread with fork and press slices down to absorb egg mixture. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to overnight. Bake in preheated oven at 350\u00b0. Uncover baking dish and bake 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 main dish servings.