We have had the most fun harvesting our little asparagus patch. It’s almost done now but it has been a wonderful couple of weeks… breakfast, lunch and dinner. This recipe has been a big hit with our Hershey, PA Inn guests and I have to say we always hope there’s a few pieces left for us.
3/4 pound fresh asparagus
1 (10 inch) unbaked pastry shell
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (or your favorite cheese)
1/2 cup ham, chopped (or crisp bacon, or a little cooked sausage, or…)
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups light cream, or use part or all evaporated milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tsp. dried onion (or saute a little chopped, fresh onion)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
dash of paprika for top of quiche
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut asparagus into 1 inch pieces, using only tender parts of stalks. Either by blanching, or steaming about 2 minutes in an asparagus pot or the microwave, cook asparagus until bright green and but still crisp. Drain asparagus well and pat dry. In a medium bowl, combine asparagus, cheese, and ham, then place in bottom of pastry shell. In another bowl, beat eggs, cream, mustard, nutmeg, onions, salt and pepper until smooth, then slowly pour into shell. Sprinkle top with paprika. Place on cookie sheet, and bake at for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If top begins to get brown, cover loosely with foil. After removing quiche from oven, let sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting. Makes 4-6 servings. Most people eat two pieces.