Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Spinach Asparagus Quiche Recipe - with Bacon!

 
 


I made this quiche Saturday morning out of ingredients I already had in the refrigerator. I kind of looked through and figured out what would be good and just tossed it all in. I topped it with some fresh chives from the garden. It was super flavorful!

Ingredients


1 9 inch pie crust, defrosted
1 cup cooked spinach - I used frozen that I just put in some hot water to defrost and then drained
4 slices of bacon
1 cup chopped white onion
3/4 bunch asparagus, crack off tops and then chop the stems into 2 inch pieces - reserve tops as well
2 tablespoons chives, diced
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 eggs, slightly beaten

Directions

 
 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put crust into a 9 inch pie plate and press down softly. Pierce the bottom of the crust about 4 times with a fork.

2. Cook bacon - place on a wire wrack on a cookie pan into the oven for about 15 minutes or until desired level of crispiness. Remove from oven once finished, allow to drain on paper towels then chop.

3. Put chopped asparagus including the tops into a microwave safe bowl. Fill the bowl with hot water and microwave the asparagus until cooked but still slightly crispy, about 4 minutes. When finished blanche with cold water to stop cooking.

4. In medium bowl combine asparagus stems (the tops will go on the top of the quiche), chopped onion, bacon and spinach. Mix together.

5. In separate bowl combine salt, pepper, milk, heavy cream and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.

6. In small bowl mix together cheddar cheese and flour to coat cheese.

7. Assemble quiche. On top of crust first layer bacon/asparagus/spinach mixture. Then layer cheese. Next pour on egg mixture. Using the back of a spoon lightly push down on the mixture to ensure all of the egg mixture gets through to the bottom of the crust and the egg is evenly distributed.

8. Now layer on the tops of the asparagus. I lined them up but you can distribute however you would like. Then sprinkle with the diced chives.

9. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until cooked through. If it's not finished the milk will pool in the middle. Once it's almost dry it's finished. Remove from oven and allow to set for another 10 minutes before serving.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Recipe

It feels like summer here in Southern California. It's simply gorgeous. Our new house came with a lemon tree overflowing with fresh lemons. I've already made fresh squeezed lemonade about 5 times. Occasionally I'll add a shot of rum to spice it up. So delicious! Here is my recipe!


Ingredients

6 large fresh lemons (these are best from a lemon tree, if you buy store bought you won't get as much juice - so buy more lemons!) - equals 1 cup lemon juice once squeezed
1/3 cup sugar
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups ice

Directions

1. Wash lemons. If using store bought, roll lemons on counter to soften and make juicier.

2. Cut lemons in half.

3. Put a mesh strainer over a pitcher, and then squeeze lemons using your hands to extract as much juice as possible. The mesh strainer will catch any seeds.

4. Stir in sugar.

5. Stir in water.

6. Add ice.

7. Sit in sun and enjoy!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Strawberry Mojito Recipe

So refreshing and tasty! This recipe is for one serving but you can make whole pitchers if you would like. They are perfect for a party or just for a quiet night at home. Enjoy!

Makes 1 mojito

Ingredients

12 mint leaves
4 strawberries, roughly chopped
1/2 lime in 2 pieces
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar (or more of less if you like less sweet or more sweet)
a shot of white rum
ice
club soda

Directions

 1. Muddle together mint leaves, chopped strawberries, 1/2 lime, lime juice and sugar until all of the juices mix together and mint leaves are broken up slightly.

2. Put mixture into cocktail shaker, add rum and ice. Shake shake shake. 

3. Poor into glass, top with club soda.