Springtimequiche Recipes

THE ULTIMATE SPRING QUICHE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, sift the flour and a good pinch of salt into a bowl, then rub in the butter with your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Gradually add 125ml of cold water, continuously mixing until it comes together to form a rough dough, adding a splash more water, if needed. Bring it together with your hands, wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Snap off and discard the woody ends from the asparagus, then slice the stalks into 1cm chunks, reserving the tips. Blanch the asparagus (including the tips), peas and broad beans in a pan of boiling salted water for 1 minute, then drain. Roughly chop and stir in the spinach so it wilts slightly, then refresh the veg under cold running water. Drain well and place into a large bowl. Trim, finely slice and add the spring onions.
• Finely slice the bacon (if using), then add to a frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry for 5 minutes, or until golden, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk in the cream, milk and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Chop and stir in the chives.
• On a flour-dusted surface, roll out the rested dough to roughly ½cm thick. Roll the pastry up around the rolling pin, then carefully unroll it to cover a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Gently press the pastry into the tart tin, moulding it to the tin as you go (don't worry if it breaks - patch up any holes with spare pastry).
• Trim away any overhanging pastry, then line with a double layer of clingfilm. Fill nearly to the top with uncooked rice or beans, then bake in the oven for 12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove the rice or beans and clingfilm, then return the tart case to the oven for a further 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
• Spoon the greens into the pastry case, put the bacon pieces on top, pour in the cream mixture and crumble over the goat's cheese. Place the quiche in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until just set. Leave to cool slightly, then serve with a crisp green salad.

HAM AND SWISS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare homemade pie crust or use purchased refrigerated or frozen pie crust, and set aside. (No need to cook the crust before filling with quiche mixture.)
• In a medium bowl, place half-and-half, eggs, honey mustard, flour, salt, thyme, and pepper and beat until combined.
• Layer the cooked and cubed ham, Swiss cheese, and spinach in the prepared pie crust. Pour the egg mixture slowly into the pie crust and sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake the quiche for 40 to 50 minutes until crust is golden and filling is set. Let stand for 5 minutes, then cut into wedges to serve.

SPRINGTIME QUICHE

Steps:

• For crust, EITHER combine flour and salt in bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in chives and water (mixture will be crumbly).
• Shape dough into a ball; place on lightly floured surface and roll into a 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick.
• Fold into quarters and transfer to a 10-inch quiche pan. Unfold and ease crust into pan, pressing firmly against bottom and sides. Crimp or flute crust.
• OR substitute a prepared pie crust, sprinkle chives over bottom of crust and press lightly into the dough.
• Spread cheese over bottom of crust; top with chicken and scatter bacon over chicken. Place asparagus spears in a spoke pattern on top of the bacon.
• Combine half and half (or milk), eggs, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk to mix well.
• Pour egg mixture over filling in the crust.
• Bake in a preheated 400-degree F oven 40-45 minutes or until golden and set in the center.
• Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

SPRING QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Position rack 6 inches from heat source.
• In a 2-quart oval or 2 1/2-quart round souffle dish, melt butter at 100 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir in potatoes and mushrooms. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent for 5 minutes. Add scallions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, bread crumbs and peas. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
• Whisk together remaining ingredients including 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Pour over vegetables; stir. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent for 5 minutes. Slash plastic with a sharp knife. Placing wooden spoon through slit, stir thoroughly. Patch split in plastic with small piece of plastic. Cook 5 minutes longer. Prick plastic to release steam. Uncover and cook 2 minutes.
• Brown under broiler. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.