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Title: Leek Quiche with Thyme & Lavender
Categories: Cheese Flowers Entree Pie
Yield: 6 Servings
| QUICHE | ||
| 1 | 9" unbaked pie shell (below) | |
| 1 1/4 | c | Grated Gruyere, Emmenthaler or Swiss cheese; divided |
| 2 | tb | Butter |
| 1 | tb | Canola oil |
| 12 | oz | Leeks; cut in 1/2" slices |
| 2 | ts | Dried thyme |
| 1/2 | c | Dry white wine |
| 2 | lg | Eggs; lightly beaten |
| 1 | c | Heavy cream |
| 1 | tb | Dried lavender flowers |
| 1/2 | ts | Each salt and pepper |
| 1/8 | ts | Grated nutmeg |
| 1/8 | ts | Ground cayenne pepper |
| SINGLE-CRUST PIE SHELL | ||
| 1 1/2 | c | Unbleached flour |
| 1/2 | ts | Salt |
| 1/2 | c | Solid vegetable shortening |
| 3 | To 4 tb. water | |
To make quiche: Line the pastry shell with parchment paper and add 1/2" or so of pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 F.; remove the weights and parchment, reduce heat to 325 F. and bake 8 minutes longer, or until the bottom is dry. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated cheese over the bottom of the crust and bake 5 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and cool.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat butter and oil until foaming subsides. Add leeks and saute, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until they are soft. Stir in thyme and saute for 2 minutes, or until it is fragrant. Stir in wine, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, or until liquid is gone. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cream, lavender, remaining grated cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne. Stir in the cooled leek mixture. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is just set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
To make the pie shell: In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add shortening and, working quickly with your fingertips, two knives or a pastry blender, blend the ingredients until you have bread crumb size bits and tiny, uneven flakes.
Sprinkle on the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, gently stirring with a fork after each addition. Add only enough water to form a rough mass. The dough may be rolled out immediately or wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for as long as 2 days before rolling.
On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12" circle that is 1/8" thick. Fold dough into quarters and transfer it to a 9" pie pan. Unfold and trim or pat the edges to fit.
The editors write: "When you want to mystify people as to the herb used in a dish, try lavender: it will almost always confound, says Maggie Oster, a gardening and cooking expert who divides her time between Palmyra, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. The bittersweet flavor of lavender flowers enhances salads, egg dishes, soups or desserts. They retain their flavor well when dried."
Adapted from a recipe in _The Herbal Palate_ by Sal Gilbertie and Maggie Oster (Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, 1966) in "Easy Season: Favorite Recipes Using Dried Herbs for Flavor and Convenience" article in "The Herb Companion." Feb./March 1996, Vol. 8, No. 3. Pp. 40-41. Electronic format by Cathy Harned.
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