Sarah Leah Chase's Scalloped Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups (1/2-inch diced) French bread, preferably a crusty baguette
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 16 plum tomatoes, cut 1/2-inch dice, about 2 1/2 pounds (use the best tomatoes you can find -- beefsteak will be juicier)
• 1/2 cup julienned basil leaves, lightly packed
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons bacon fat (or olive oil)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional -- we skipped it)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese