whatcha got cooking?

i love eggs. from head down to my legs. i can eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. i'm not lying. i love them! coen has become quite the egg monster himself. it took him a while to come around, but now if he hears the mention of an egg, he expects 3 scrabbled up in front of him within seconds. when i came across this recipe, i knew it would be a hit. it is great for large groups or house guests. preparing it the night before is a must, so you can pop it in the oven in the morning. you MUST try this, if you don't you are really missing out. i promise.

canadian bacon strata (aka deliciousness)

Serves 6

• Butter, softened (for pan)
• 4 English muffins, split, toasted, and cut in half
• 1/2 pound sliced (about 10 slices) Canadian bacon, halved
• 1 1/4 cups shredded (5 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 8 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish (oval or square); set aside. In dish, alternately arrange, cut side down, muffin halves and Canadian bacon. Sprinkle with cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a pinch of pepper, and hot sauce until combined. Pour over muffins and bacon; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet; remove plastic wrap. Bake until puffed and set in the center (see note above), about 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Tent loosely with foil if strata starts to brown too quickly.) Let stand 10 minutes before cutting and serving.