BRIE AND CRAB STRATA

Steps:

• Using 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter, grease a 2-quart baking dish.
• Place half of the bread cubes in the dish, then grated Fontina, then chopped basil, then crab meat; top with remaining bread cubes.
• Take the chilled Brie from the refrigerator and trim the rind (note: the colder the Brie remains, the easier it will be to cut, so don't take it out of the refrigerator too soon before this step).
• Cut the cheese into small cubes, then dot the top of the strata with the cubes of Brie.
• Using a food processor or an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese and the eggs until light and fluffy.
• Melt the 1/2 cup of butter, then into the cream cheese mixture beat the milk, white pepper, mace, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and melted butter.
• Pour mixture over the strata; using the back of a spoon, press the bread cubes down into the mixture so that all are moistened well.
• Refrigerate over night or at least 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, then bake the strata for 1 hour or until puffy and golden brown.
• Let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving either hot or warm.