Spring Leek Quiche with Chevre
This classic quiche features tender leeks, fresh chives and rich chevre cheese.
Ingredients:
1 single butter pie crust, thawed if frozen (see recipe)
3 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, and sliced
3 eggs
½ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 ounces soft chevre cheese, crumbled
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Prick pie crust all over with a fork; place on a baking sheet. Bake the pie crust in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Remove crust and set aside to cool slightly; reduce oven temperature to 375°.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and simmer leeks just until tender, about 7 minutes; drain thoroughly.
3. Whisk eggs, heavy cream, milk, chives, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Spread leeks evenly over bottom of pie crust; dot with the chevre cheese. Pour egg mixture over leeks. Bake in the preheated oven until puffed, lightly browned, and a sharp knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove to cool until warm or room temperature before serving.
Smoked Salmon & Baby Leek Frittata
Paired with a crisp salad, this stunningly-simple dish is fantastic for breakfast, brunch or lunch!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 baby leeks, thinly sliced (white and pale green parts only)
8 large eggs
3 tablespoons minced dill
3 tablespoons minced chives
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
Pinch each of sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the broiler. Melt the olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add the leeks and sauté, stirring often, until tender, about 4 minutes.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, herbs, salt, pepper, goat cheese and salmon. Pour the mixture over the leeks and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan and cook until the edges are set but the center is still runny, about 4 minutes. Place the pan under the preheated broiler and cook until the frittata is puffed up and golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Shaved Fennel Salad with Beets, Raspberries & Grana Cheese
Tossed with a raspberry-honey vinaigrette, this showpiece salad boasts beautiful color.
Ingredients:
1 bunch beets, cleaned and trimmed
4 cups water
½ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup sugar
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly shaved crosswise, fronds reserved
¼ cup Grana cheese, grated
4 cups loosely-packed salad greens, washed and patted dry with a paper towel
½ cup raspberries
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
For the vinaigrette:
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup raspberry wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1-2 teaspoons honey
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place beets in a large roasting pan and pour over water, red wine vinegar, sugar and 1 tablespoon salt. Cover with parchment and foil. Roast until just tender, they should be easily pierced with a knife, about 40 minutes. Peel beets under cool water. Cut into quarters.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the roasted beets, fennel, fennel fronds, and greens with about ½ cup of the raspberry-honey dressing. Plate dressed greens. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary, sprinkle with the Grana cheese and raspberries and serve.
Pasta with Sautéed Spring Greens & Chevre
This incredibly-satisfying pasta is very versatile: Use any combination of your favorite hearty greens!
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta of your choice
6 cups mixed spring greens, such as a mix of this week’s micro broccoli, sunflower shoots, pea shoots
1 bunch Swiss chard, tough ribs removed and greens coarsely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons butter, divided
½ cup Chevre cheese, crumbled
¼ pine nuts, toasted
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in the skillet. Once warm, add the garlic and all the greens, tossing to coat with oil and butter. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and sweat until greens are just wilted and tender and garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add drained pasta to the skillet, then toss everything together with the rest of the olive oil and butter. If pasta seems a little dry, mix in reserved pasta water. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with crumbled Chevre and pine nuts on top.
