Chesapeake Crab Strata

4 tablespoons butter or margarine
4 cups unseasoned croutons
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
8 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pound crabmeat, picked over to remove any shell
Red and green bell pepper rings (for garnish)

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Place butter in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Heat in the oven until melted, tilting to coat the dish. Remove the dish from the oven; spread the croutons over the melted butter. Top with the cheese and set aside.

Combine milk, eggs, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, salt and black pepper; mix well. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese in the dish and sprinkle the crabmeat on top. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the mixture is set. Remove from the oven and let stand for about 10 minutes.

Garnish with the pepper rings and serve.