Quiche: Veggies (and Sausage)

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (i used regular whole wheat)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces (i used smartbalance)
• 1 medium sweet onion
• 1/2 link sausage (i used the oberley)
• 0.5 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed thoroughly)
• 5 eggs
• 1/4-1/2 cup half-and-half
• 2 diced tomatoes
• 3 -5 ounces cheddar cheese (i used a cheddar with chipotle- perfect for "southwestern" quiche)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley (or 3 tbsp fresh, i only had dried)
• 1/4-1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (fresh)
• 2 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs (plain)

Recipe

• 1 crust: "mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. cut in butter with a pastry cutter or two knives (you could also do this step in a food processor). gently stir in 3-4 tablespoons (i used about 6) of ice water until mixture forms a ball. form into a disk and cover with plastic wrap. refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
• 2 preheat oven to 425 degrees (220 degrees celsius). roll out dough 1/4 inch thick with a rolling pin. place in pie shell. crimp edges if using a standard pie plate. if using a tart pan, trim edges by rolling a rolling pin over the top edge of the pan. refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• 3 cut a circle of parchment paper at least 3 inches larger in diameter than the pie pan, and place in the crust. weight down with a pound of beans poured into the paper. cook for 10 minutes. remove beans and paper, and bake for 5 minutes more.".
• 4 filling: group 1- finely chop onions and garlic.
• 5 add onions to skillet on medium heat with olive oil. saute until translucent.
• 6 add meat and frozen spinach. heat until spinach is almost thawed.
• 7 add garlic and black beans. stir until heated through and set on low heat until ready to assemble quiche.
• 8 group 2- crack eggs and half-and-half into mixing bowl. whisk until frothy.
• 9 dice tomatoes and add to egg mixture.
• 10 grate cheese and add to egg mixutre.
• 11 add any herbs to egg mixture. and mix well.
• 12 assembly:.
• 13 add group 1 to the pie crust until halfway full. then top off with group 2 egg mixture.
• 14 top with grated parmesan and bread crumbs.
• 15 reduce heat to 325 f and bake for 30-40 minutes until top is golden brown and quiche is firm.