Thursday, March 25, 2010

Friday is Pieday!

Hello friends..it's Friday again and that means pie! This is the fourth week of the month, so today is our savory pie post. I decided to take a basic Quiche recipe and kick it up a notch.
I make quiche quite often and never use a printed recipe, so I tried my best to recreate my recipe and write it down for this post. With the exception of the liquid, cheese and the eggs, feel free to make optional most other ingredients. By that I mean you can omit mushrooms if you don't care for them or change the sausage for bacon or chopped ham...things like that. When I make quiche, whatever I have in the fridge..goes in the quiche, so get creative.

Ingredients for 2 pies:
1. 8 eggs (can use egg-beaters)
2. 3 cups fat free half and half ( can use milk)
3. 1 cup cottage cheese
4. 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
5. 1/2 cup chopped onion
6. 1/2 cup chopped celery (I almost forget this!)
7. 1 small can chopped green chiles
8. 1 large bag shredded sharp cheddar (4 cups)
9. 1 package sausage(can be made meatless) about 1 pound
10. fresh cilantro chopped and some whole for garnish
11. 1 package frozen pie crust (2 per pack) do not thaw
12. 4 potatoes  ( I used yukon gold, any but idaho will do)

Peel and boil potatoes until cooked through. Remove from water and slice..set aside.
In a large skillet, brown meat and half way through add onion, celery and mushroom. Saute until meat is cooked and veggies tender. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. If you have a favorite herb or spice..add it!  Strain out any excess fat and set aside.
I know your smiling now...you don't have to make pie crust! Although many times I will use frozen pie crust, I thought it was important for you to know how to make your own.  But I'm hear to say that if you buy a good brand like Marie Callenders or Mrs. Smith, the results will be wonderful. They are a staple in my freezer and I stock up when they are on sale.
In each pie pan, place about 1 cup cheese in the bottom and layer potato slices on top. Sprinkle with the chilies and some chopped cilantro. Divide meat mixture between the pies.
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, half & half and cottage cheese. I love my handheld blender for this job. Place the rest of the cheese evenly over both pies. Place the pie on your oven rack and this is where you are going to pour the egg mixture into both shells. It is much easier to fill the crusts in the oven than on the counter and then have to do a balancing act to the oven. I have learned this the hard way ;-(
Pour slowly and evenly and all the way to the top of each pie. bake in a 375 degree oven for about 50-60 minutes or until golden and set. Cover loosely with foil if browning to quickly. I always lay a sheet of foil on the bottom rack to catch any overflow anytime I bake.


Your quiche should look like this when ready to come out of the oven..all golden and cheesy.

Doesn't that look delicious..all moist with cheese and potato and sausage..Yum! This makes a great dinner if served with some sliced tomatoes and cilantro garnish or fresh fruit and maybe a dinner salad on the side. My boys always loved this dish because they knew their would be the extra pie for breakfast the next morning. It reheats great in the microwave. Heck..I love eating it cold the next day. It's all good.
So there you have it...my version of sausage and potato quiche. I hope I did not forget anything..as I said at the start..I never measure when I make it. So this is good, as I now have it written down for my guys to cook in their kitchens.
Until next time..be kind and stay creative.


18 comments:

Kelly Ann said...

this one I will make...looks yummo...

Dar said...

What a great recipe to try for our Easter breakfast. Thank you for sharing this one. Sounds wonderful.
BlessYa

Dar said...

How many potatoes???? Help!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

I knew I would forget something...I used 4 peeled potatoes

Jennifer Juniper said...

I have never had this with potatoes in the bottom, but it looks divine!

Marie said...

Fabulous - can't write now have to go bake a quiche. This sounds like a complete meal in itself. I need more of these recipes please - hurry!

Annette said...

Haven't had breakfast yet and I think this would hit the spot!! I'm going to add this to my menu next week! Love Pieday!!!!!!

Dar said...

Thanks for the visit Janet and the potatoes...I'm making this and taking it to the Maple Sap Shack at my nephews this weekend.
Also, come back to my site and meet my brother.
Blessya and your weekend

My Life Under the Bus said...

Oh well what else is there to say but YUM !!! If you want an awesome meatless sausage Morningstar Farms makes a really good sausage patty ( NOT the links which taste like dirty socks !!!) . My kids eat then every morning and haven't figured out they are not "real" sausage !!! Sshhhhhhh don't tell.....

Alice Regan said...

Well, now I'm really hungry! Thanks for sharing the recipe ...I'll have to try this one.

I visit by way of Kathy's Cottage and would like to invite you over to my blog for a 200th post giveaway! Please do drop in if you can.

~mel said...

Yum... that looks good. Happy to see you used the Yukon potatoes as they are truly one of my favorites~ right next to the little red ones fresh from the garden.

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Oh Mel...I love the little reds ones...I par boil them then drizzle with olive oil, shake some garlic powder or salt, some fresh ground pepper and roast....YUM!!!!!

Atelier Conti said...

Love the recipe! Unfortunately cottage cheese simply does not exist in France! But I can adapt...

theUngourmet said...

Mmm, such a nice looking quiche! I haven't made one in way too long. I'll have to try out your recipe! :)

w said...

i want to make this. it will hurt my tummy after i eat it. but i don't care.

w said...

also. i use pillsbury roll crust thing. i know. i don't even know the name of the thing. i'm such a pro.

The Single Nester said...

This looks delicious. I am a horrible baker though. Thank you for visiting my blog!

theMayflower said...

omg this is amazing! thanks for sharing! it looks delicious!