Crusted Bacon & Cheddar Quiche

Here’s a delicious recipe for a Crusted Bacon & Cheddar Quiche:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 8 slices of bacon
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)

Instructions:

Making the Crust:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
   • Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough begins to come together. Avoid adding too much water.
   • Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Roll Out the Dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan.
   • Transfer the dough to the pie pan, trim the edges, and flute if desired.
   • Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
   • Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment and weights and bake for an additional 10 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool slightly.

Preparing the Filling:

3. Cook the Bacon:
   • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into pieces.
4. Mix the Filling:
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
5. Assemble the Quiche:
   • Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the bottom of the pre-baked crust.
   • Pour the egg mixture over the bacon and cheese.
   • If using, sprinkle chopped green onions on top.
6. Bake the Quiche:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
   • Let the quiche cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade Crusted Bacon & Cheddar Quiche!