Mushroom Bacon & Cheddar Strata - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups chopped onions
1 lb cremini mushroom, thickly sliced
6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper the better)
8 slices bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
3 cups milk (plain flavored) or 3 cups soymilk (plain flavored)
6 eggs (or 1-1/2 c. egg substitute)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme (or 2 tsp. dried thyme)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Preparation

Arrange bread cubes on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 350 deg. F for 20 minutes, or till toasted. Place bread cubes in large bowl.
Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and onions; saute 10 minutes or till liquid evaporates and veggies are tender.
Toss onion mixture with bread cubes.
Combine remaining ingredients in bowl; whisk till well mixed.
To assemble the strata, arrange half the bread cube mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese and bacon. Top with remaining bread, then the remaining cheese and bacon. Pour egg mixture over layers.
Cover strata tightly with tinfoil and refrigerate overnight.
Bake strata, still covered, at 350\u00b0F for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes, till top is nicely browned and eggs are set.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.