Cheese Strata (AKA Cheese Eric Estrada)

1 Lb White Bread (King Size Loaf ok)
1 Lb Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
1 sm onion, finely chopped
6 eggs
4c milk
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 pkg brown and serve sausage, kilbasa, ham, pepperoni, or other topping (optional)


Butter/PAM 9x13 glass baking dish.  Place heals of bread face down in bottom.
Cut crusts off of bread to form squares.  Place crusts on top of heals.  Spread evenly.
Place grated cheese on top of crusts. (Optionally, layer half the cheese, meat, and the
remaining cheese).  Spread onion on top of cheese.  Beat eggs in 2 quart bowl.  Add spices.
Mix in milk. (Hint: Use only a portion of the pepper in the egg mixture and sprinkle most
of the remaining on the cheese layer and rest on the very top.  Fresh cracked pepper is ideal)
Cut the bread square in half diagonally to make triangles.  Dip each triangle in egg mixture
(briefly or it will fall apart) and arrange in layers on top of the cheese: Lean two triangles
against the short edge of the pan, overlap the next triangle between the first two, then two
more overlapping the first two, and so on to cover the entire pan.
(Hint, lay it out before you dip them in the egg mixture to get an idea of spacing).

It should look something like this (except overlapping):

< < < < <
 < < < <
< < < < <

Gently pour the remaining egg mixture evenly over the bread making sure to soak all of the bread.

Let stand for 1 hour or overnight in the fridge.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the tips of the bread are toasted.  Let stand 10-15 minutes before
serving.  Serves 8-10 (yeah right).  Microwaves wonderfully.