How to Make a Self Crusting Quiche
While quiche is a brunch favourite, the pastry crust tends to make it a bit heavy for the first meal of the day. If you want to enjoy the flavours of baked egg, cheese and meat, without the pastry, a self-crusting quiche can be a great option – it contains all the traditional quiche flavours, but owing to the absence of a pastry crust, can be a lighter option for brunch.
Prep time: 20 min
Bake time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: Makes 1 quiche pie
Utensils: 13-by-9-inch baking dish, medium-sized skillet, paper towels, stove, mixing bowl.
Ingredients:
Filling:
Bulk Italian pork sausage: 1 lb
Vegetable oil: 1 tbsp
Onion, coarsely chopped: 1 large
Red bell pepper, coarsely chopped: 1 large
Package sliced fresh mushrooms: 1 8 oz
Boxes of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained: 2 9 oz
Shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese: 2 cups
Topping:
Eggs, beaten: 5
Milk: 1.25 cups
Butter or margarine, melted: 1/2 cup
Self-rising flour: 1.5 cups
Grated parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup
Instructions
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1
Before you begin preparing the quiche, preheat your oven to 400 F so that it is ready by the time you slide the quiche in. Then, use shortening to grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish – it is best if the dish is made of glass, as this will help you judge whether the self-crusting quiche is done or not.
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2
Now, chop up your sausages, and toss them into a medium-sized skillet on the stove over medium heat. Cook these for around 8 minutes – keep stirring frequently all this while, to make sure the sausages are cooked and browned evenly. Once they are done, remove them from the skillet, and drain them on some paper towels.
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3
Put the skillet back on the stove, and pour in the vegetable oil. Heat this up, and then toss in the onion and bell pepper. Soften these, and then add in the mushrooms. Keep stirring it and allow it to cook for around 3 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and tender.
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4
Toss in the spinach and let it wilt, then add in the cooked sausages. Heat it all through briefly. Then, take the pan off the heat, and pour the sausage and vegetable mixture into your greased baking dish. Sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese.
Image courtesy: mumseysramblings.blogspot.com
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5
Then, take a medium bowl, and add in all the ingredients for the topping – the beaten eggs, milk, melted butter/margarine, flour, and grated Parmesan cheese. Blend it all together with a wire whisk until smooth, and pour it over the quiche filling in the baking dish.
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6
Slide this into to oven, and bake for around 30 to 40 minutes, until it sets and the top develops a pleasing golden brown colour. To check for doneness, insert a knife into the centre – if it comes out clean, you will know it is ready.
Image courtesy: foodlovers.co.nz
