April 22, 2014

don't judge a quiche by its cover

Disclaimer: This quiche tasted far, far better than its looks suggest.


I almost cried when I pulled this quiche out of the oven. It looked absolutely pathetic. The crust was unattractive and misshapen and the filling was super flat, both blunders for which I am solely responsible (I hate it when that happens). It's as if the universe was conspiring against me for this one. Fortunately, the universe (and I) couldn't screw up the taste--it was amazing.

The recipe came from a great new cookbook by Teeny Lamothe called Teeny's Tour of Pie, and it's a keeper. She used an innovative hash brown crust for her quiche, and I really wish I hadn't taken the lazy and quick way out and tried it instead of using a store-bought refrigerated crust (my first and last experience with that particular product, I must declare). This breakfast pie, as she calls it, was creamy and flavorful and just completely satisfying. Teeny used leeks and mushrooms in her pie, but I opted to use zucchini*, onions, and roasted red peppers. I'm sure you can use whatever veggies you like.

*Be absolutely sure you seed the zucchini before adding it into the mix--that section is full of water and will make your quiche soggy and separated, which is never good and always gross.


To be honest, it was hard to decide which recipe to feature in reviewing this cookbook, as it contains a plethora of enticing pies. There's even a snickerdoodle pie, which you know caught my eye, and there's an orange cream pie and a coconut cream pie that also looked and sounded really delicious. I might have to try another recipe...you know, for the sake of touting the cookbook. Not to spoil myself, of course. That would be so unlike me. :)

If any of those pies I listed sound good to you or if you're just a pie aficionado, you should add this cookbook to your collection. The pictures are gorgeous, the commentary is helpful, and it's just an all-around accessible book. I have an extra copy you can win if you leave a comment telling me your favorite kind of crust to make or eat. I'll leave the comments open for a week, until Tuesday, April 29th, then I'll contact the randomly selected winner shortly thereafter. Be sure to leave me some way to reach you. Good luck!


Breakfast Pie with a Hash Brown Crust
From Teeny's Tour of Pie
Makes 1 9-inch pie
Ingredients:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3-1/2 cups peeled, shredded hash brown potatoes
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large leek, halved lengthwise, cleaned, and whites and light greens thinly sliced into half-moons
  • About 8 ounces mushrooms, stemmed and cut into 1/4-inch slices (to equal 3/4 cups)
  • 5 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
While the skillet is heating, combine the shredded potatoes with 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the rosemary in a large bowl and toss to combine.
Add the seasoned potatoes to the hot skillet, spread them into a single layer, and cook, flipping once with a spatula, until they are crispy on both sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and mushrooms and cook until they are soft and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Meanwhile, combine the eggs and cream in a large bowl and whisk together. Add salt and pepper and half of the grated cheese and whisk until incorporated.
Press the cooled hash browns into the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch pie plate. Spread the leeks and mushrooms over the bottom of the crust and top with the remaining cheese. Pour in the egg mixture.
Bake until the filling is cooked through and the top is nicely browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately.


*This post was made possible thanks to some gift cards from Food Lion, one of North Carolina's best grocery stores. That said, all opinions found within any blog post of mine are entirely my own.

30 comments:

  1. One of my favorite crusts is the cookie crumb crust (graham cracker, Oreo).

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  2. Quiche is a standard and I bet this quiche was great!

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  3. I find that it looks good...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. I think it looks tasty! Who cares if it doesn't turn out as pretty as you hope as long as it tastes amazing.

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  5. I think it looks tasty! Who cares if it doesn't turn out as pretty as you hope as long as it tastes amazing.

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  6. I want to see the snickerdoodle pie!

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  7. I have no idea what you are talking about! The pie looks perfect and your photos show exactly how tasty it is!

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  8. It looks absolutely delicious,Grace!

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  9. graham cracker crust is my favorite.

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  10. I have not made quiche for a long time, you are tempting me to make one.

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  11. You are too modest. I think this quiche looks pretty awesome. So it must taste even more so. ;)

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  12. Actually, it looks just like the quiche I make and love. I could snarf a piece for dinner about now. The hash brown crust sounds pretty delish -- I've never tried that before! Hope you're doing well. Just stopped in to wave HOLA!

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  13. I'm glad you put the tip about the zucchini in there. I would have had a huge soggy mess.

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  14. Nothing wrong with the crust...it looks so beautifully golden brown and crisp.

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  15. I really like a nice flaky pastry crust - half butter and half lard - your quiche looks wonderful to me.

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  16. I'd love to win this contest - but win or lose, I definitely want to try this recipe!
    I'm no expert at crusts, and I've tried a few variations. I've had most success with Rose Beranbaum's that uses both frozen and refrigerated butter.

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  17. There is a pizza that I make seasonally, and it has a zucchini crust. It really is lovely! Other than that one, my favorite crust is one with lots of butter :)

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  18. It's always the tastiest foods that look the ugliest. But honestly, this looks pretty awesome to me!

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  19. quiches are magical little treats we can bake everyday with a smile...reading the recipe makes us awe at the lovely,enticing flavors in every bite of this treat....and we don't see any problem with its looks as well...makes us crave for a large slice for breakfast,thanks so much for sharing :-)

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  20. photo is fine.
    what you really need is "smell-o-vision"!
    ;-)

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  21. I love the idea of using hash potato as a crust for this quiche...looks delicious Grace...nothing wrong with the photo...
    Thanks for the idea...hope you are having a great week :D

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  22. Quiche is a beautiful and versatile food. I know you were not keen on how it looked…but, I think it looks pretty amazing.

    Velva

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  23. ohhh una quiche riquísima y perfecta me encanta,abrazos

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  24. I love pie. And I think your quiche is absolutely lovely- I'd love it for my breakfast tomorrow, or even lunch. Pie crust is not my forte and I hold my breath every time I roll one out. I think the easiest one I've ever made was from a recipe my uncle gave me. It has cream cheese in it and turns out flaky every time. :)
    scrambledhenfruit(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I don't know what you're talking about, this quiche looks perfect!

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  26. I like to make a Crisco oil crust and my second favorite is just butter, ice water and let it shape up in the fridge..They seem to come out great, I love to make pies and the cookbook for pies by Teeny sounds wonderful to me! Your quiche looks and I am sure tastes superb, the crust sounds yummee to me..I adore your blog and try to replicate your recipes, my hubs is more than happy to accommodate, having come from a huge family his Mom did not cook much but his Dad was a wiz in the kitchen when he was around which was almost never, so my hubs had to cook oldest of 8 kids and all..so I spoil him a lot, take care have a great week, ciao from mary Sampson at momanddad00@clear.net!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  27. Looks fine to me...and if it was delicious, that's all we need to know.
    If I have to pick a favorite (not easy) it would be my grandmothers crust and my mothers wild blueberry pie. Out of my reach now, but oh my, I'll never forget it.

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  28. I never expect quiche to be as photogenic as certain other dishes. With all of your gorgeous desserts, your expectations are probably set pretty high! A hash brown crust sounds delicious, though the work and uncertainty might intimidate me...

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  29. Wow the hash brown crust sounds like a genius idea! Just kind of difficult though for the likes of me. Your quiche looks delicious!

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  30. The photos definitely does not do this quiche justice. It is so delicious! I know this is supposed to be a breakfast pie, but I am enjoying this on mid afternoon and late evening snacks.

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