A quiche brings out the most effective within the humble leek. Sautéd in butter to tenderness, bathed in a combination of eggs, milk, cream and a splash of nutmeg, piled right into a savory crust and topped with grated cheese, the leek rises from peasant standing to the Aristocracy. And the sweetness is that this quiche might be ready very simply, particularly if — as I did on a lazy Sunday (blush) — you utilize store-bought puff pastry (pâte feulletée) as a substitute of constructing the crust from scratch…
Quiche aux poireaux / Leek quiche
Okay, I admit it. A do-it-yourself savory crust (pâte brisée) is much superior. And it’s not significantly troublesome to provide. The bottom line is having the butter at room temperature while you start. Effectively, final Sunday I used to be in a rush and the butter was stone chilly. So I popped out to the grocery store and picked up the pastry, ensuring to purchase a “pur beurre” (pure butter) selection as a substitute of 1 made with vegetable shortening.
The quiche could make a meal in itself, accompanied by a salad — for instance, in autumn, a salad of pears roasted with parmesan or a salad of lamb’s lettuce and beets. It may also be served as a starter for a extra elaborate meal, adopted maybe by stuffed pumpkin (an ideal recipe, by the way in which) or roasted hen, duck or beef and autumn veggies, and for dessert possibly a Tarte Tatin (apple upside-down tart) or walnut tart.
I’ve been interested by autumn menus today as we’ve got two massive birthdays developing round right here: my daughter is popping 25, and I’m turning… properly… it’s such an inconceivable quantity that I received’t hassle to say it. For her birthday dinner, my daughter has requested foie gras adopted by boeuf bourguignon and a celeriac-potato purée, with a pavlova (meringue topped with cream and recent fruit) for dessert (recipe coming quickly). As for me, I’m going with a Ukrainian-Georgian theme: blini with do-it-yourself gravalax, Georgian guinea hen, pink bean salad with walnuts, and so forth.
These back-to-back occasions might be adopted briefly order by an election with the potential to vary the world. My European buddies are on pins and needles ready for the outcome. They concern {that a} sure candidate, if elected, will pull the USA out of NATO — breaking apart the alliance that has defended Europe for 75 years — and withdraw from the Paris local weather accords. Everybody desires to understand how I feel this vote will prove. Pricey reader, I’m as a lot at nighttime as everybody else. All I can say is, I voted. Did you?
Pleased cooking.