Adventure doesn’t have to mean checking off your bucket list items! You can explore right at home by creating fresh new meals you haven’t tried before. Dig out that cookbook you bought but never used, try baking something challenging, or sample Lauren Lane’s suggestions for a fresh meal that celebrates all we love about spring. Bruschetta may be a familiar dish, but strawberries and goat or mascarpone cheese add a new twist. Paired with a fresh vegetable quiche, you have a meal that brings out the best of the season.
Spring Quiche
INGREDIENTS
1 pie dough
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups mixed vegetables, such as raw spinach, cooked broccoli, or asparagus
7 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups light cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
3/4 cup grated gruyere or white cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie plate and crimp edges.
3. Cover crust with parchment paper and fill with dried beans or rice to weigh down crust. Bake 25 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Remove paper and beans or rice. Set aside, keeping oven on.
4. In a bowl, add eggs, cream, herbs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Whisk together well.
5. Sprinkle half of the cheeses into the crust, followed by the vegetables. Add remaining cheeses.
6. Pour egg mixture over the top and bake until set, about 35 minutes.
Strawberry Bruschetta
INGREDIENTS
1 pound strawberries, washed and sliced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt
1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 12 slices
1 cup goat or mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, basil, or mint leaves
Balsamic vinegar or glaze
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine strawberries and sugar in a bowl and set aside.
2. Brush bread with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
3. Preheat broiler. Place bread on a baking sheet. Broil a few inches from heat for 1 minute, then flip slices and broil opposite sides until golden brown.
4. Spread cheese on toasted bread.
5. Season strawberry mixture with salt, pepper, and herbs. Spoon over cheese.
6. Garnish with additional herbs. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or glaze.
For more inspiration and recipes visit @Lauren_lane_culinarian.
