Melinda Lees Master Quiche Recipes

THE BEST QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• For the pastry crust: Pulse the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the flour looks like cornmeal. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough with your fingers; if it doesn't hold together, add up to 2 more tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse again.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a disc. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
• Lightly flour a work surface, then roll the dough into an 11-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Center the dough in a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom, with an even overhang of dough all around. Press the dough into the edges of the pan and the fluted sides. Roll the rolling pin over the top to cut off the extra dough (discard the extra). Poke the bottom and sides all over with a fork. Chill until completely cold, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Press a piece of parchment over the chilled crust, then fill with pie weights, raw beans or rice. Put the pan on a baking sheet. Bake until the crust is set and golden around the edges, about 40 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment and weights. Return to the oven and bake until the crust is dry and slightly golden, about 15 minutes more. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Combine the butter, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are completely softened and all the water has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a separate medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crisp, 10 to 15 minutes.
• When the onions have cooked for 30 minutes, add the bacon using a slotted spoon, then stir in 1 teaspoon of the thyme and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread the onion mixture in the bottom of the crust and sprinkle with the Gruyere. Whisk together the cream, eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the cream mixture over the filling in the crust and top with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme.
• Bake the quiche on the baking sheet until set and golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.

MEAT LOVERS' QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the pie crust and fit into a 9-inch quiche pan or pie plate. Place a piece of parchment paper over the dough and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the crust is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven. Remove the parchment and pie weights and return the crust to the oven. Bake until the crust is baked through, about 5 to 7 minutes longer. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Chop the bacon. Cook the sausage in the same skillet until browned and crumbly, about 7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon, and set aside with the bacon.
• Whisk together the half-and-half, Miss Brown's House Seasoning (recipe follows) and the eggs. Sprinkle the bacon, sausage, ham, green onions and Cheddar evenly on top of precooked crust. Pour the egg mixture on top. Bake until the center is set, 25 to 30 minutes. (Cover the edges with a pie shield or aluminum foil if getting too brown.) Allow to cool slightly before serving.
• Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

QUICHE - MASTER RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Fill parbaked shells and bake until set.
• Any filling you wish to use.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS CHICKEN QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover pan and bring the water to a boil. Place 1 pound of asparagus into the steamer insert, cover, and steam until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain asparagus and set aside.
• Beat eggs, half-and-half, parsley, salt, white pepper, and green hot sauce in a bowl until smooth.
• Stir together cooked chicken, Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, mushrooms, and green onions in a bowl; mix in flour.
• Line a 9-inch pie dish with pie crust.
• Spread about half of the cooked asparagus over the bottom of the crust.
• Spread about half of the chicken mixture over the asparagus.
• Repeat layers of asparagus and chicken mixture.
• Gently pour the egg mixture over the layers.
• Arrange 3 asparagus spears decoratively on top of the quiche.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the filling is slightly puffed and lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the quiche comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes.
• Sprinkle quiche with cherry tomatoes, if desired.

MELINDA LEE'S MASTER QUICHE RECIPE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a 2 cup measuring cup, place the eggs and seasonings. Add enough cream to fill the measuring cup to the 1-1/4 cup level ( you'll need about 1/2 cup of cream). Blend together the cream and eggs mixture using a fork or whisk- just to incorporate thoroughly. Sprinkle the filling of your choice over the bottom of one 8-inch or 9-inch baked pie shell. Pour in the custard mixture ( the liquid should come up to about 1/4 -inch from the rim of the pie crust shell). Bake the quiche at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes or until the thin blade of a knife, inserted near the middle of the quiche (about an inch or so out) comes out clean. Cook's Note: The center should still be a little bit "jiggly" - the custard will complete cooking as it stands after baking. Suggested Fillings: 5-6 slices crisp, cooked bacon crumbled 3 ounces coarsely grated cheese Optional ( for cheese or any other filling) -sprinkle a little cheese over the top of the quiche and dot with butter before baking 1/4 cup, smoked salmon- chopped; add dill or parsley 1/2 cu to 3/4 cup, cooked broccoli or other vegetable of your choice, optional- add 1/4 cup grated cheese to vegetable 1/2 to 3/4 cup, diced sauteed ( or caramelized) onion 1/2 cup or as desired, leftover shredded meat or poultry diced, sautéed jalapeño or other chile (to taste) fresh snipped herbs of your choice