California Cheese Strata

1. Spray a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with a nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Line the dish with half of the bread slices, overlapping to make them fit. Top with half of the grated cheese. Combine all remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour half of the liquid mixture over the bread and cheese in the dish. Continue layering and cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight before baking. Remove from the refrigerator 2 hours before baking.

2. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place the strata in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to stand for five minutes before cutting.