Il Cucinologo
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Leek and Asparagus Quiche

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a recipe for a delicious Leek and Asparagus Quiche with an Italian touch. Here are the ingredients and the procedure.

Ingredients

  • 1 roll of ready-made shortcrust pastry or puff pastry (or, if you prefer to make it at home: 200g flour, 100g cold butter cut into cubes, a pinch of salt, 3-4 tablespoons of cold water)
  • 2 medium-sized leeks, cleaned and sliced into rounds
  • 1 bunch of asparagus, cleaned and cut into 3-4 cm pieces
  • 200 ml fresh cream
  • 4 large eggs
  • 100g grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino for a more Italian flavor)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated nutmeg (optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Butter for greasing the pan

Preparation

  1. If making the pastry at home, start by combining the flour, salt, and butter in a food processor until you get a sandy mixture. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Form a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  3. In a pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and cook the leeks until soft. Add the asparagus and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, add the grated cheese, a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  5. Roll out the shortcrust or puff pastry in a previously buttered pan, prick it with a fork, and pour the leek and asparagus mixture inside.
  6. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the top.
  7. Bake the quiche for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface is golden and the pastry is cooked.
  8. Let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving.

For an elegant Italian accompaniment, you could serve this quiche with a fresh arugula salad and a light balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy your meal!

Trivia

The quiche is a typical dish of French cuisine, particularly from the Lorraine region, but with the addition of ingredients like Parmesan you can achieve an excellent balance between French tradition and Italian tradition.