Cheesy Apple-Bacon Stratta

I was supposed to make this dish for a yummy brunch treat when my sis and family were in town, however, we ran out of time - as usual. I had my goals set too high for all the baking I was already committed too and I could cook no more!

Soooooo, what I did was make it for our Life Group with our church last Sunday since we were having a Holiday Appetizer-ish theme and I figured this dish would work. I also made BBQ Meatballs, because hello, they are just always a hit.

I am kind of having a love/hate relationship with this new recipe. I found it in my "Betty Crocker's Best Christmas Cookbook" and it made my mouth kinda water.

When I made it on Sunday, I loved the flavor, but couldn't tell if maybe it was....a little under-done? It seemed a little runny or something to me. I didn't see anyone gagging in a corner, but I didn't hear anyone hailing to it either. So, on my first taste tester - it was just o.k., but I will have to say, that I microwaved some up for my lunch today and I ended up having 2 helpings! I think it may have needed to set up a little more or cook some more. I really enjoyed it today.



I know my pics are terrible, but it hit me while we were sitting around the table with our lifegroup friends that I hadn't snapped a picture.
Here's some of our lovely group minus me and Dave and our friends the Lopez's.

Aren't they cute?
:-)

Here's the recipe for this Holiday Strata:

3 Tbsp. butter
3 medium Granny Smith Apples, peeled and chopped (3 cups) (and I like mine really fine)
3 Tbsp packed brown sugar
4 Cups cubed firm bread (I used a loaf of whole wheat french bread)
1 pound bacon, crisply cooked and coarsely chopped (I used Turkey bacon that we cooked in the oven. It was perfect)
2 Cups shredded sharp cheddar Cheese (8 oz)
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp ground mustard (dry)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper
5 eggs

Grease 2-quart casserole. Melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook apples in butter 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Stir in brown sugar; reduce heat to low. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender.

Layer half each of the bread, bacon, apples and cheese in casserole. Repeat with remaining bread, bacon, apples and cheese.

Mix remaining ingredients; pour over cheese. Cover rightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Parents Review: Loved it after I nuked it a little in the microwave. Definitely make sure it is cooked through.
Kids Review: They never tried it. Too many foods in one casserole for my kids.
:-)

Tune in tomorrow and I will tell you about my Roast fiasco while having friends over for the first time.

We ordered pizza.

See you tomorrow!