Asparagus Ham Quiche Recipes

ASPARAGUS HAM QUICHE

Steps:

• In two greased 9-in. pie plates, layer the asparagus, ham, cheese and onion. In a bowl, beat eggs. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Divide mixture in half and pour over asparagus mixture in each pie plate. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

PEA, ASPARAGUS & HAM HOCK TART

Steps:

• First, make the pastry. Rub the flour, butter, mustard powder (if using), parmesan and 1 tsp fine salt together in a large bowl using your fingertips until the mixture resembles sand. Or, do this by pulsing the ingredients together in a food processor. Gradually add 4-6 tbsp cold water, pressing the mixture together until you have a soft dough. Briefly knead the dough until smooth.
• Roll the pastry out between two sheets of baking parchment until 3mm thick and large enough to line a 20 x 7cm loose-bottomed springform cake tin. Remove the top layer of parchment and invert the pastry into the tin, or drape it over the rolling pin and unravel it into the tin. Push the pastry into the base and up the side - there should be about 1½cm excess pastry that comes above the rim. Use your thumbs and index finger to crimp the excess around the edge. Chill for at least 1 hr 30 mins or overnight.
• Meanwhile, cook the peas and asparagus in a pan of boiling water for 3 mins, or just 2 mins for defrosted frozen peas. Immediately plunge into a bowl of ice-cold water to halt the cooking process, and leave to cool in the bowl for 2 mins. Drain and set aside until needed.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Prick the base of the chilled pastry case all over with a fork. Scrunch up a piece of baking parchment, then use it to line the case, leaving some overhanging. Fill the case all the way to the top with baking beans or uncooked dry beans or rice. Bake for 15 mins, then remove the beans and parchment and bake for 10-15 mins more until golden. Don't worry if it shrinks from the edge slightly. Leave to cool while you make the filling.
• Whisk together the eggs, double cream and crème fraîche, then mix in the herbs, spring onions, lemon zest and juice, parmesan and cooked peas. Season with sea salt and a good crack of black pepper, then pour the filling into the baked case. Sprinkle the shredded ham hock over, pressing it into the filling slightly, then arrange the asparagus spears on top.
• Turn the oven down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and bake the quiche for 45-55 mins until golden on top with a slight wobble in the middle. Leave to cool for 20 mins in the tin, then serve warm or leave to cool completely and chill until needed. Will keep chilled for three days.
• When ready to serve, toss the pea shoots and mangetout with the olive oil, then pile in the middle of the quiche. Cut into wedges to serve.

DEEP-DISH HAM QUICHE WITH HERB AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Make the crust: Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter; mix with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the egg yolk and 3 tablespoons ice water in a small bowl; work into the dough until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 14-inch round. Carefully roll up the dough onto the rolling pin (this may take a little practice) and lay it inside a 9-inch springform pan. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and side; trim the excess. Put the pan on a sturdy baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to fill.
• Prepare the filling: Put a skillet over medium-low heat and coat with the olive oil. Add the onions and slowly cook, stirring occasionally, until they caramelize, 40 to 45 minutes. (Add a couple of tablespoons of water to help the onions break down, if needed.) Toss in the ham and cook, stirring, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Whisk in the cream; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the onions and ham in the crust and carefully pour in the egg-cream mixture; the filling should be about 1/2 inch from the top. Cover loosely with foil and bake 1 hour, 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the quiche is set but jiggles slightly, about 30 more minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; blanch the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, then drain. Slice into small pieces and put in a bowl; add the parmesan and herbs. Add the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Loosen the quiche from the pan with a thin metal spatula, then remove the ring. Transfer the quiche to a plate and cut into wedges. Drizzle with olive oil and season with pepper. Top with the salad.

DEEP-DISH HAM QUICHE WITH HERB AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• To make the pastry: combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the egg yolk and ice water in a small bowl to blend, add it to the pastry. Work it in to bind the dough until it holds together without being too wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together, if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the counter and a rolling pin lightly with flour. Roll the dough out into a 14-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully roll the dough up onto the pin (this may take a little practice) and lay it inside a 9-inch springform pan. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and sides so it fits tightly; trim the excess dough around the rim. Place the pan on a sturdy cookie sheet so it will be easier to move in and out of the oven, this quiche is pretty heavy.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• To make the filling: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, coat the pan with oil, and add the onions. Slowly cook the onions, stirring, until they caramelize and release their natural sugars. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to help the onions break down, if needed. Toss in the ham, cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes to get some color on it. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, pour in the cream; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the caramelized onions and ham over the bottom of the crust and carefully pour in the cream and egg mixture; the filling should be about 1-inch from the top of the pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for 15 minutes or until the quiche is set, puffy, and jiggles slightly. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. In the meantime make the asparagus salad.
• To make the asparagus salad: In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the asparagus for 4 minutes, or until they are just crisp-tender. Drain the asparagus, transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, and drain well. Slice the asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces and put them in a mixing bowl. Add the Parmesan and herbs, drizzle the herb and asparagus salad with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Loosen the quiche from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Carefully unmold the ring, and transfer the quiche (with the bottom base) to a serving plate. Cut it into wedges, drizzle with a little olive oil, and a few turns of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with the asparagus salad on top.

ASPARAGUS HAM QUICHE

Steps:

• In two greased 9-inch pie plates, layer asparagus, ham, cheese and onion.
• In a bowl, beat eggs; add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Pour half of egg mixture into each pie plate.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.