Spinach and Gruyere Quiche

This is a recipe that I got from Martha Stewart's website and it turned out great.  I used two deep dish pie plates and made my own pie dough from Simply Recipes for All Butter Crust for Sweet and Savory Pies (Pate Brisee).  If you want to make it easier on yourself, just get some Pillsbury Pastry Dough at the grocery store.  I also used fat free half-and-half and I used two eggs and 1-1/2 cups of egg substitute. 

Spinach & Gruyere Quiches

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
3 shallots, minced
3 bunches flat leaf (baby) spinach, thick stems removed and leaves roughly chopped (about 3 cups)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
1 recipe Basic Pie Dough, fitted into two 9-inch pie plates
8 large eggs
3 cups half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks set in upper and lower thirds of the oven.  In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat.  Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally until softened (1 to 2 minutes).  Add as much spinach to skillet as will fit, season with salt and pepper, and toss, adding more spinach as room becomes available, until wilted (2 to 3 minutes).

2.  Transfer spinach mixture to a colander.  Press firmly with the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.  Divide spinach mixture and cheese between prepared crusts.  Place each crust on a separate rimmed baking sheet.

3.  In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.  Dividing evenly, pour egg mixture into crusts.

4.  Arrange baking sheets on racks, and bake until center of each quiche is just set (55 - 60 minutes), rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through.  Let quiches stand 15 minutes before serving.  (Or cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. Reheat at 350 degrees until warm in the center (30 - 40 minutes).

Enjoy!
The Creative Cook

Chicken Enchiladas and Spanish Quinoa

I made this Hispanic meal a few weeks ago.  The boys loved it.  I used quinoa instead of rice because I had it in the cupboard.  Quinoa is a grain that is very high in protein.  The combination of these dishes proved to be delicious.

Chicken Enchiladas
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 onion, chopped
1/2 pint sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 (12 oz.) jar taco sauce
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.  In a medium, non-stick skilled over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear.  Drain excess fat.  Cube the chicken and return it to the skillet.  Add the onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and ground black pepper.  Heat until cheese melts.  Stir in salt, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, green pepper and garlic.

3.  Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas.  Arrange in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, Cover with taco sauce and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Spanish Quinoa
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 (14-1/2 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
water
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup quinoa, washed and drained
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin

Directions:

1.  Drain tomatoes and reserve juice.
2.  Heat oil and saute garlic and onions until translucent.
3.  Place the tomato juice in a liquid measuring cup and add enough water to equal 1 cup of liquid.
4.  Add the liquid to the sauteed garlic and onions; bring to a boil.
5.  Stir in the quinoa, pepper, and salt.
6.  Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
7.  Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, and cumin; cook for another 2-4 minutes until hot.

I decided to toast the quinoa in the pan after sauteing the garlic and onion.  That added a nice nutty flavor to the dish.

Enjoy!

The Creative Cook