Foodasparagus Leek And Gruyere Quiche Asparagus Leek And Gruyere Quiche

LEEK QUICHE

Steps:

• Unroll crust into a 9-in. pie plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°., Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake on a lower oven rack until edges are golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake until bottom is golden brown, 3-6 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 325°., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add leeks and mushrooms; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add sausage and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over crust. Top with sausage mixture and tomatoes. Whisk eggs, cream, sour cream, thyme, salt and pepper; pour over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. If desired, top with additional fresh thyme.

ASPARAGUS & LEEK QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in lowest position. Cut off woody ends of asparagus then cut in small pieces on the diagonal. Cut the white and light green part of the leek in half, then thinly slice. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add leek and asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 6-8 minutes. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. Place piecrust on rimmed baking sheet. Top with asparagus mixture, then pour the egg mixture on top of that. Bake until center of quiche is just set, about 50-60 minutes, and rotate the sheet halfway through. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
• To store, let cool, then refrigerate up to one day. Reheat at 350 until warm, about 30 minutes.

LEEK, MUSHROOM & GRUYèRE QUICHE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, tip the flour and butter into a bowl, then rub together with your fingertips until completely mixed and crumbly. Add 8 tbsp cold water, then bring everything together with your hands until just combined. Roll into a ball and use straight away or chill for up to 2 days. The pastry can also be frozen for up to a month.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a round about 5cm larger than a 25cm tin. Use your rolling pin to lift it up, then drape over the tart case so there is an overhang of pastry on the sides. Using a small ball of pastry scraps, push the pastry into the corners of the tin (see picture, above left). Chill in the fridge or freezer for 20 mins. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
• While the pastry is chilling, heat the butter in a pan and cook the leeks for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until they soften. Then turn up the heat and add the mushrooms. Cook for 5 mins more, then turn off the heat.
• Lightly prick the base of the tart with a fork, line the tart case with a large circle of greaseproof paper or foil, then fill with baking beans. Blind-bake the tart for 20 mins, remove the paper and beans, then continue to cook for 5-10 mins until biscuit brown
• While the tart case cooks, beat the eggs in a bowl, then gradually add the cream. Stir in the leeks, mushrooms and half the cheese. Season, then tip the filling into the tart case. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, then bake for 20-25 mins until set and golden brown. Leave to cool in the case, trim the edges of the pastry, then remove and serve in slices.