Quiche - bake sale special!

So at work, we were asked to bake some items for a bake sale.  I have to say I was a bit nervous, especially after all my talk about loving cooking and food.  I'm also not a huge sweet fan, so when my colleague said she was making something savory, I just had to follow suit.  Decision decisions, cheese twists, cheese scones, tarts and quiche - my choice was made!  Quiche it will be.

To ensure that my quiche would be eaten by at least one person, I asked another colleague what type of quiche he would like.  Cheese, onion and spinach were the suggestions.  A sprinkle of sundried tomatoes and we are there!  And yes, I used pre-made pastry - sorry, I just did not have time to make my own...

Sundried tomato, cheese and spinach quiche

1 packet of rolled pastry

4 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped

2 eggs

250g low fat creme fresh
Cheese of your choice, grated
Spinach, chopped and wilted
Half an onion thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to season
Pinch of parsley

1.  Get the pastry out of the fridge and leave for approx half an hour to ensure that it is soft.
2.  Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Roll the pastry out so that it is an inch bigger on every side that your pan.
3.  Grease your pan with oil and then carefully put the pastry in the pan, ensuring the pastry reaches the edge of the whole pan.  Cut off any excess.  Layer with grease proof paper or foil and fill with baking beans.  Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes then leave to cool.
4.  In a bowl, mix the sundried tomatoes, eggs, creme fresh, grated cheese and onion.  Add the pinch of parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
5.  Pour the mixture into the pastry.  Cook in the oven for another 20-25 mins (or until set and golden brown on top)
6.  Serve hot or cold and with a side salad for a full meal!

Eating and drinking in Rome!





Lunch in the sun - Penne Arrabiata

           


Lots of vino!



Gelato - from the best place in Rome!

     



Pizza!

    


YUM! Spaghetti al vongole

 
 


Arrabiata, one more time!

   



Look at the colours!  Tomato And Buffalo Mozzarella Salad







Teaching Italians how to make Jagerbombs...

 


Pizza with lots of cheese and chili.  Drool.

   




And finally - my all time favourite, rigatoni alla carbonara!

 

To buy or not to buy - a bread making machine

I remember being young and trying to cook bread with my mother.  I also remember that it often did not come out well and it was a whole lot of work.  But fresh bread is such a luxury.  I love the way bread smells as it's cooking and then breaking into a warm piece and eating it with just melting butter.  You just can't beat it.

So when my friend told me about her bread machine, I was very interested.  It's a Panasonic Bread Machine SD255.  You basically put in a number of ingredients, press a few buttons, wait a bit and presto, fresh bread.  Various different types of bread depending on your mood (and ingredients!).  You can time it so that it makes the bread for a specified time later.  Just put all the ingredients in, set when you want it to be ready for and that's it. Amazing - fresh bread for weekend breakfast!  But best of all?  It also makes pizza dough!

Homemade spring vegetable pizza

For the dough:

- 300 g flour

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast

- 170 ml water

Put all the ingredients in the breadmaker.  Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a try and put it in a 180 C oven for 15 mins.  Take the dough out and stretch it out over the tray again - it will have shrunk a bit in the oven. 

Now for the toppings!

- Tomato sauce

- Pesto

- A selection of vegetables, such as asparagus tips, mushrooms, onions

- Dried chili flakes to taste

- Fresh buffalo mozzarella

- Fresh Parmesan

- Fresh basil

Cover the dough in your chosen sauce - we went for half tomato, half pesto.  Then arrange the vegetables and mozzarella cheese to your liking.  Sprinkle the chili flakes, herbs and finally grate some Parmesan over the top.  Pop it in the oven for another 15 mins or until the cheese is golden brown.  Enjoy with a cold glass of white wine!