what's for dinner tonight {turkey bacon quiche}.

we. love. quiche. yes, it's true. one of my favorite moments of our marriage happened last week. i love it when my husband does really cute things. he typically loves EVERYTHING i make for him to eat... which is such a blessing that he is so easy to please, but sometimes i just wish that he had some absolute favorite dishes that he really, really liked rather than just liking everything! well... i think i've found one of those things.

my variation of turkey-bacon-quiche.

i made this one day last week when i was working late so that he would have something to eat for dinner. i had one piece for lunch and put the rest in the fridge for him. the next morning i woke up, excited to have a piece of my oh-so-delish-quiche when to my surprise there was *one* piece left. yes, ladies and gentlemen. one. piece. left. i loved it (and apparently, so did he.)

here is my recipe. you can mix it up and add whatever you like.

turkey bacon quiche

* 1-2 T. olive oil
* 1/4-1/2 of an onion, minced (depending on how much onion you want)
* 2 cloves of garlic, minced
* 5 slices of turkey bacon
* 1/2 c. extra sharp white cheddar cheese
* 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust (see recipe below)
* 2 whole eggs, 3 egg whites
* 1 c. milk
* 1/2 t. salt
* 1/4 t. black pepper
* 1 T. melted butter

- preheat oven to 350.
- heat olive oil over medium heat, sautee onions until soft. add garlic and cook for 1 minute. set aside.
- between paper towels, cook 4 slices of turkey bacon in microwave for about 3 minutes... check, cook longer until crisp and done. crumble/cut and set aside.
- prepare pie crust and assemble in pie plate. pour onions and garlic into the crust. sprinkle with cheese, and press down into the crust. (this may sound odd, but it keeps quiche from getting too wet and runny). sprinkle with turkey bacon crumbles.
- whisk together eggs, egg whites, milk, salt, pepper and melted butter. combine until well mixed and pour into crust ontop of the veggies and bacon.
- cook in preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, or until quiche is set. cooking time will depend on your oven. i check mine with a knife... comes up clean and isn't too "jiggly" it's done. i don't like mine runny, so i also let it cook a little bit longer until it's slightly brown ontop and puffed up. love my precise instructions? you're welcome.

there's something very satisfying to me about making my own pie crust. and it's really good if i don't say so myself.

homemade pie crust

* 1 1/4 c. flour
* 1/2 c. shortening, chilled
* 1/4 t. salt
* 3-4 T. ice cold water

- start by measuring out shortening. i use the crisco butter-flavored sticks, cut into small cubes, and stick them into the freezer.
- i also take a small cup and fill with cold water and a couple of ice cubes and place that in the freezer as well. i try to keep everything very cold. this makes for a super flaky pie crust because of the way the cold-ness of the dough interacts with the heat of the oven. very scientific, i know. i'm married to a science teacher.
- measure out flour, combine with salt.
- cut in shortening until mixture resembles small peas.
- add ice water a tablespoon at a time until the right consistency and forms easily into a ball. may need more than 4 T, just eye-ball it. again, with the precise instructions.
- wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

we like to serve with a side salad or fruit.
enjoy!