Monte Cristo Strata Recipe

Trim crusts and butter bread slices. Cut bread in half, diagonally (also ham and turkey slices). This will make your finished dish easier to serve. Arrange half of bread, buttered side down in well buttered 9x13 baking dish. Layer turkey and ham slices over bread. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and cover with remaining bread. Combine eggs with milk, salt and pepper, beating until well blended. Pour mixture, evenly, over dish. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg, if desired. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350. Set baking dish in pan of water and bake, covered, for 1 hour or until dish is puffed and brown. While dish is baking, cook bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon over finished Strata, cut into triangular servings and remove with spatula. Spoon jelly on each serving. Serves 8.