Cheddar, vegetable and sausage strata

Ingredients

• 9 1 inch thick slices french bread
• 5 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 2 cups(packed) grated sharp cheddar cheese, 8 ounces
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2x1/4 inch strip
• 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 6 ounces smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tablsepoons minced onion
• 2 tabelsoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Butter 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish. Fit 8 bread slices in prepared dish. Cut remaining bread slice into 1 inch cubes; fit cubes into any empty spaces. Whisk eggs, mustard, basil and salt in medium bowl to blend; whisk in half and half. Ladle custard over bread. Cover; chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle mixture in dish with black pepper. Top with half of cheese, then bell pepper, tomatoes, sausage, onion and remaining cheese. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil. Bake until strata is set and springy to touch, about 20 minutes longer. Cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.