Today we had an impromptu brunch with DH's best friend - a5lo. DH needed help moving some drywall into the basement and I'm no help with stuff like that (those things are HEAVY). So to thank him I decided to make lunch for the three of us. I wanted to make something that was quick, relatively simple and somewhat healthy. I also wanted to make dessert, since having guests over is my only excuse to bake.
Nothing says Sunday brunch like quiche! I made 2 types of quiche (bacon & mushroom, spinach & onion), salad and an apple almond tart. I normally like to make everything from scratch, but when I'm in a hurry I do take shortcuts. Making homemade pie crusts and puff pastry tastes better but is also time consuming. So for today's meal I used store bought pie crust and frozen puff pastry. It's excellent - gives the homemade vibe but is super easy to use.
I served the apple almond tart with a scoop of caramelized white chocolate ice cream. If I wanted to get fancy, I'd glaze the tart w/ some apple jelly or drizzle it w/ dulce de leche. But this is brunch, its supposed to be easy.
a5lo - a bachelor who doesn't cook often - was very happy with the meal and even happier when I sent him home with leftovers. It was great to see him and I was happy I didn't have to lift any drywall :)
Bacon & Mushroom Quiche
Ingredients:
- 4 strips bacon, diced
- 3 shallots, minced
- 3C mixed mushrooms, sliced
- 1C shredded fontina cheese
- 1C milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 refrigerated pie crust, unrolled and thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
- Cook bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Remove most of rendered fat from pan. Saute shallots until translucent.
- Add mushrooms and cook until soft, add salt+pepper. Cool slightly.
- Whisk together eggs and mlk.
- Press pie crust into pie plate - add cheese, mushroom mixture and bacon. Fill with egg mixture.
- Bake in oven for 25-30min until set. Let cool for 10-15min before serving.
Apple & Almond Tart
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tart apples (e.g. Gala)
- 1 1/2C ground almonds or almond flour
- 1/4C sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 1/4C heavy cream
- 10" x 10" puff pastry sheet
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Whisk together almond flour and sugar in a medium bowl
- In another bowl, whisk egg, vanilla and salt. Mix in half of almond mixture. Mix in heavy cream and then remaining almond flour. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3hrs.
- Preheat oven to 430F degreess
- Peel and slice apples thinly, set aside
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll out puff pastry sheet and score a 3/4" border around the edge.
- Spread almond mixture on puff pastry and cover with a layer apple slices. Dust apples with nutmeg, cinnamon and a light sprinkling of raw sugar.
- Bake in the oven for 30min until lightly browned. Allow to cool for 15min and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
