Overnight Holiday Strata

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Ingredients...

• 8 - 10 cups cubed bread (a baguette cut into pieces is perfect), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 oz bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 3 cups shredded Gouda cheese
• 1 cup North Country Smoked Apple Mustard Sauce
• 2 cups milk
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp thyme leaves

Method...

1. Generously grease a 9-x 13-inch baking dish.
2. In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
3. Place half the bread cubes in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the bacon, apple and Gouda. Repeat the layers. Drizzle the Smoked Apple Mustard Sauce over the bread cubes. 
4. In a large bowl, whisk together cream, milk, eggs, salt, pepper and thyme leaves. Pour over bread mixture and press down bread with a spatula the ensure the bread is fully soaked. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake strata for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden on the outside, puffy in the centre and cook through in the centre. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Vegetarian Version: Replace bacon with 8 oz sliced mushrooms. Cook mushrooms in a skillet. Season with salt, pepper and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Freezing Instructions: Prepare through Step 4, then cover with plastic wrap and overwrap with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bring out about 1 hour before baking and let stand at room temperature, then bake as directed.