Thursday, November 17, 2011

Spinach and Bacon Quiche

Good morning.  How are you this fine day?  Today is our youngest granddaughter, Claire's birthday. She is 3!  A baby no longer.  We are all going over there tonight for a little birthday celebration and another Wii Dance party.  I am sure she is all excited today!!  Her Mommy is taking her to Toys R Us for her Birthday Crown and announcement from Jeffrey. 
Yesterday I mentioned that I was going to be making a broccoli and bacon quiche for dinner.  But when I was rummaging around in the fridge for ingredients, I changed my mind and used spinach and mushrooms and bacon instead.  YUM!  Here we go.
The only thing I didn't have, and had to run to the market for, was refrigerated pie dough.  Which, by the way, I always use now.  It is so easy and to me, just as good as freshly homemade.  So why waste time.  And when I got home, I kicked myself for not buying some Swiss Cheese, because in my opinion, Swiss is best in a quiche.  If you don't have Swiss, use a tangier choice like sharp cheddar if you have it. Everything I used is above in the photo.  (Except the nutmeg.  It was still in the drawer.)   Give your pie pan a light spray with Pam or Olive Oil spray so crust doesn't stick when cutting pie.
Usually, I would use about 6 large eggs.  But since mine are small from my chickens because they are just starting to lay, I used 9.  Look how bright in color the eggs are.  Season with salt and pepper, and then add about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup milk to eggs.  You may use 1/2 & 1/2 too for a richer texture.  In addition to salt and pepper, I grate fresh nutmeg into this.  I love nutmeg in egg dishes!!!  But use the fresh nut, and grate it on a fine grater.
Thoroughly wash your spinach.  Blot dry.  Remove stems, and rough cut.  Then slice mushrooms, and rough chop your crisply fried bacon.  Side note:  I almost NEVER cook bacon on the stove anymore.  I use heavy duty sheets, with a rack in pan.  Layer bacon on rack and cook in oven at 450 degrees for about 15 min. or until crisp.  Watch closely though.  It comes out perfectly crisp every time, and your stove top is saved!
Layer your spinach, bacon, mushrooms and cheese into pie shell.  Pushing down into pie shell.  That spinach wants to keep jumping over the edge.
Carefully pour the milk and egg mixture over the ingredients.  Nice and slow so it doesn't spill over the edge.
Place on a heavy duty cookie sheet, just in case it spills over.
Bake at 350 degrees in middle rack of your oven, for about 45 minutes.  Ovens vary, so watch your quiche, and check it at about 35 minutes by inserting a clean knife into center of pie.  If it comes out clean, and pie is not jiggling, it is done.  However, in my case, a quiche usually needs a good 45 minutes to bake.  And always allow for another 10 minutes for it to set up some before you cut into it so it remains pretty after you slice it.
Can you smell it?  Some of my other favorite veggies for a quiche are asparagus, tomatoes, onions, and broccoli.  In the spring when asparagus are abundant, I love a quiche with asparagus, onion, fresh tomato, bacon and swiss cheese.  Ham is also a good addition.  Use your imagination and have fun.  You can make this up ahead and then pop it in the oven, serve with a salad and you have a quick dinner.
Bon Appetit!
PS  I have had such positive feedback on my cooking posts, that I was thinking of featuring a sort of Cooking 101 one day a week.  What do you think about that?
XO  Kris

30 comments:

Lauri said...

Your quiche looks delicious!!! And thanks for the tip on cooking bacon in the oven.


Yes, yes, yes...keep the recipes coming. I always learn a lot from your cooking posts.

Nicolle said...

Yes I can smell it. :) That looks delicious. I've made quiche before, but never this fancy. I also use pre-made pie crusts. I think they taste good, and are so easy. Oh, and I love that little oval dish you have there with the rooster on it.

Have a great day!

Janna said...

You had me at BACON! Yummmmm - gonna make this.

Pam said...

Oh my - what a beautiful and delicious looking quiche. I love Swiss in my quiches too - yum! Happy birthday to your little sweet one.

Anonymous said...

Oh Em Gee Mom it was SO good!!!!

Tammy said...

Cooking 101 would be awesome! PS Computer's need scratch n sniff. =P

deb said...

must try this...AND the barefoot contessa makes her bacon that way and I want to try it but doesnt it spatter all over the oven?? YES..cooking 101 would be wonderful!!!!

Holly said...

I try to make everything that you blog about. Tonight is your nana's chicken. Maybe Quiche this weekend. It looks really good. Love the use of the veggies. Would love to see you do cooking 101 posts.

Unknown said...

Drolling out of both side of my mouth yummie. Hey, do you make your own pie crust too. I know there is a real science to that.

Stacey said...

I think a Cooking 101 would be amazing.. We make your dinner recipes often, and they are always so delicious :)

Anonymous said...

you bet, cooking 101, I have made so many of your recipes and they are fabulous. Quiche looks delicious.

Gloria Baker said...

this quiche look perfect and amazing! I love this Kris!!!gloria

Dawn said...

My vote is "Yes" for cooking 101. That sounds like a fabulous idea:) My baby turned 17 yesterday. Have a night of dancing and partying:)

Teresa Kasner said...

Kris, that is a great idea to do a cooking thing once a week! We are definitely going to try Nana's chicken. I printed up a recipe. I love quiche, and yours looks eggs-cellent!! :-)

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Heather - The Good Life said...

That quiche looks absolutely scrumptious! Your hubby is certainly blessed with a wonderful cook.

Shelbie Molnar said...

Looks so good!

Sunny Simple Life said...

I keep different types of cheese in the freezer. Once it thaws and is grated it melts perfectly. How yummy that looks too with your fresh eggs. Happy birthday to the cutie pie. SHe is a doll.

Jill said...

Looks so delicious!!! Hope you are having a great week!

blessings,
Jill

Jennifer said...

Absolutely looks delish!! I love how it is jammed pack full of goodness:)

Hope you have wonderful time celebrating your sweet three year old!! Dance your heart out!

Summer said...

Cooking 101 would be awesome--especially for those of us that are young & not so skilled in the kitchen! I love trying out your recipes.

corners of my life said...

The most amazing quiche I have ever seen. Looks to me like Christmas Morning.

Kerri said...

Wow, what a gorgeous looking quiche! My husband and I love quiche...but I hardly ever make it. I'm going to put this one on my grocery list!
Yes to cooking 101!

Genn said...

I am SO lucky that I now have a piece of that quiche in my fridge! :)
That looks SO good. It's been a while since I made one.
Thanks for coming over tonight.
Claire enjoyed herself. Love you!

Amber said...

YUM!! and YES please I would love cooking 101! Soo fun!!

Whosyergurl said...

Kris, Look at those eggs! YEEHAW. Your quiche looks so, so, so good! I use bisquick and then I don't do a crust. Just dump it all in and bake. I do my bacon in the oven, too. I'll never go back to the stovetop.
xo, Cheryl

Anonymous said...

love your post! thanks for sharing...loves soraya

cathleen said...

I LOVE quiche and yours looks especially delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipe, Kris. Sounds perfect to make for Sunday brunch. Have a cozy weekend!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Yummy, another wonderful recipe! Thank you! Don't ya just love our little cool weather?! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Kris!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your quiche looks so full and delicious, Kris! I love a cheese spinach and mushroom combination.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your quiche looks so full and delicious, Kris! I love a cheese spinach and mushroom combination.