Asparagus & Spinach Quiche

Pie Crust (9 inch):
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Pie Crust

1/3 + 1 Tbsp. shortening
3-4 Tbsp. cold water

Quiche Filling:
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
15 spears of asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
5-8 oz. fresh baby spinach
salt and pepper
5 eggs
1 c. milk
1 c. feta, crumbled
1/4 c. mozzarella, shredded
1 tsp. chives

To make the pie crust: Mix the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until particles are the size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until all the flour is moistened and can stick together.

Greens

Gather the pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

When the dough is ready, roll pastry on lightly floured surface into a circle larger than the pie plate. The crust needs to slightly fold over the sides when placed in the pie plate. Press the dough firmly against the bottom and side of pie plate. Just don't stretch it too much. Stick the pie plate with dough into the freezer while you make the filling.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cooling

To make the quiche filling: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the asparagus and spinach. Cook until the asparagus gets tender, but don't over-cook it. Season with salt and pepper as it is cooking. The spinach will wilt.

Transfer the spinach to a colander, and press with a spoon or paper towel to get any liquids out. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Stir in the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove the pie crust from the freezer. Place asparagus and spinach on the bottom of the crust. Sprinkle with the chives. Pour the egg mixture over the top of the greens.

Dinner is ready

Bake for 45 minutes or until the quiche is set and golden.

Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

I could not stop eating this quiche.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/asparagus-spinach-feta-quiche/

I used good ol' Betty Crocker to make the pie crust.


 

Sesame Beef and Asparagus

1/2 lb. asparagus, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
water, for boiling

3 Tbsp. sesame oil, separated
1 1/2 lbs. steak, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ginger, minced
3 Tbsp. oyster sauce
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. Chinese 5 Spice powder
3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
black pepper, lots
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. water
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
sesame seeds
hot cooked rice

Sauce

First blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain. Immediately run very cold water over the asparagus for a minute or two. This retains the color of the asparagus. Set aside.

Heat a wok or skillet to high heat. Pour in 2 Tbsp. of the sesame oil. Cook the beef until most of the pink is gone. Remove the beef from the wok/skillet. Set aside.

In the same wok/skillet, add the ingredients for the sauce: garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, soy sauce, 5 Spice, rice vinegar, pepper, brown sugar, and the remaining 1 Tbsp. of sesame oil. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat.

Mix together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Pour into the sauce. Stir constantly for a minute or two while the sauce thickens.

Add the beef, asparagus, and water chestnuts to the sauce. Stir to coat it all. Let it simmer for several minutes so the beef, asparagus and chestnuts can get heated through.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve over hot cooked rice. Delicious.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.nlrockrecipes.com/2013/10/super-quick-sesame-beef-and-asparagus.html