Halloumi And Asparagus Quiche In Filo Base Recipes

HALLOUMI AND ASPARAGUS QUICHE IN FILO BASE

Steps:

• Ingredients 5 eggs 4 egg-whites 120 g Halloumi cheese grated 100 ml creme fraiche or single cream 8 asparagus stems 3 spring onions scallions 1 pinch salt 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper or red chilli flakes 3-4 sheets of filo pastry 1 knob butter for greasing or 1 tbsp oil 1/2 tsp dry oregano Metric - US Imperial Instructions Preheat the oven at 200°C or 400°F and prepare an approximately 10inch (24cm)baking dish. Into a larger bowl, break the eggs, add the egg whites as well as the creme fraiche or the single cream. Whisk vigorously for 1 min. It's time to season this well by adding some salt* pepper, sesame seeds, the dry oregano and the nutmeg and the grated Halloumi. Give it a further whisk. Throw in the finely chopped spring onions and the chopped asparagus leaving the tops to place on top for a nice final aspect. Asparagus tops look so nice, don't they? Place the filo sheets on the slightly oiled or buttered oven dish. Pour the mixture into the dish and bake for an initial 15min at 200°C or 400°F and after reduce to 180°C or 350°F and bake for another 30 min or until the mid quiche feels firm to push. Take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 min before serving it. The cooler it is the better it cuts.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS AND SCALLION QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Break off and discard woody ends of asparagus and place asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle on 1 tablespoon of the oil, add salt and pepper to taste and toss together with your hands until asparagus is thoroughly coated with oil. Place in oven and roast 12 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned in spots, turning asparagus halfway through. Remove asparagus from the oven and allow to cool until you can handle it. Slice into 1/2 to 3/4-inch pieces and place in a medium bowl.
• Turn oven down to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and add scallions. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Transfer to bowl with asparagus. Add tarragon and parsley and toss together.
• Beat together egg yolks and eggs in a medium bowl. Set tart pan on a baking sheet to allow for easy handling. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the bottom of the crust with some of the beaten egg and place in oven for 5 minutes.
• Add salt (I use 1/2 teaspoon), pepper, and milk to remaining eggs and whisk together.
• Spread scallion and asparagus mixture in an even layer in the crust. Stir together cheeses and sprinkle evenly on top. Very slowly pour in egg custard over the filling. If your tart pan has low edges, you may not need all of it to fill the shell, and you want to keep the custard from spilling over. Place quiche, on baking sheet, in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until set and just beginning to color on the top. Remove from oven and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.

ASPARAGUS, FETA & DILL QUICHE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 5 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 5 mins more until the onion is soft but not golden. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the asparagus for 3 mins. Drain, then plunge into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again. Set eight spears aside, then chop the rest into 3cm lengths.
• For the pastry, combine the flour and cheese in a bowl, then rub in the butter using your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add 1 tbsp cold water at a time until the mixture comes together into a dough - you may need 3-6 tbsp water. Wrap and chill in the freezer for 5 mins to firm up slightly.
• Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface until it's large enough to line a deep 23cm flan tin with a slight overlap. Using the rolling pin to help you, unravel the pastry over the tin and gently push the pastry into the edge. Trim the overhanging pastry so it comes up 2cm past the rim of the tin. Gently prick the pastry base all over using a fork, then return to the freezer to chill for 15 mins. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Scrunch up a square of baking parchment, then use it to line the chilled pastry case. Fill with baking beans and bake for 15 mins. Remove the baking beans and parchment and bake for 5 mins more. Leave to cool. Meanwhile, combine the cream, crème fraîche, yogurt and eggs in a bowl, but don't stir too hard - avoid creating bubbles. Stir in the fried onion mixture, the pepper and paprika, then fold in the dill, most of the feta and the cooked asparagus.
• Put the pastry case on a baking tray. Pour in the filling, ensuring the feta and chopped asparagus are evenly distributed, then add the whole asparagus spears and remaining feta.
• Put in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bake for 35-40 mins until set with a slight wobble in the middle. Leave to cool before slicing.