Bacon and Swiss Cheese Breakfast Strata

1 small onion, chopped

½ green bell pepper, chopped

½ red bell pepper, chopped

4 slices bacon, chopped

4 slices whole wheat bread, cut into ½-inch cubes

⅓ cup shredded Swiss cheese

4 eggs

1¾ cups milk

1 T. Dijon mustard

¼ tsp. black pepper

Lightly grease a large skillet or use a conditioned cast-iron pan and heat on medium. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers and sauté until the vegetables are almost done. Add the bacon and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and add the bread cubes.

Spread the mixture evenly in a buttered 11x17-inch baking dish.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cheese, eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, and pepper; pour evenly over the bread mixture. If you are baking it now, let it stand for 20 minutes before baking (see below). If you are making it the night before, cover the strata with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator, discard the plastic wrap, and let stand 20 minutes while oven is preheating to 375°. Bake the strata for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the casserole comes out clean. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.