Real Men should eat Quiche!

I have never understood the saying " real men don't eat Quiche"- Even kids love Quiche- what's not to love? A quiche is ostensibly a pastry shell filled with bacon, cheese, eggs and cream. A few days ago my friend Mimi called to ask me the best way to bake the pastry shell for a quiche. Her recipe directed her to dock the shell( poke holes in the base ) prior to baking. I don't think that is a good idea as the filling is likely to leak out through the holes leaving the shell dry and empty. I like to "bake blind" when I am working with pastry. It is a fairly easy process - start by laying the pastry in a shallow baking dish or pie dish. Make sure the sides are raised all the way up the side of the dish . Put it in the freezer while you prepare the filling. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and place it on the pastry. Fill the top of it with black eyed peas or baking beans and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F until the edges are golden brown. Remove the aluminum foil and store the beans in a Ziploc bag until the next time.

Recipe for Spinach Quiche:

Store bought Puff pastry

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup cream

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 package frozen spinach (thawed)

1/2 yellow onion sliced thinly

6 rashers bacon diced

1 tsp olive oil

Heat the oil in a pan and render the bacon till crisp. Remove the bacon and add in the onion and saute it till it's caramelized. At this point add in the spinach and saute briefly. Pour it into the base of the pie shell. Whisk the eggs, cream, milk, salt and pepper together and pour into the shell. Top with grated cheese and bake for 30- 35 minutes in a hot oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the filling is firm. Slice into wedges and serve hot.