Grilled Cheese, Bacon And Tomato Strata - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 slices bacon
1 cup sliced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
8 cups cubed Italian bread
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
3 tomatoes, seeded and diced
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sliced fresh basil
salt and pepper

Preparation

Cook the bacon until crisp, remove from pan and crumble.
Saute the onions and garlic in about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease until
tender, about 4 minutes. Combine the onions with the bacon.
Place 4 cups of bread in the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan, top with 2/3 cup cheese and 1/2 the onion mixture and 1/2 of the tomatoes.
Combine the eggs, milk, basil and seasonings and pour half over the tomatoes. Repeat the layers.
Cover and chill over night. Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees for 55 minutes.
Sprinkle with the remaining 2/3 cup of cheese and return to the oven until
the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.