The Jackpot of the Church Potluck

At church last week, I hit the jackpot of the church potluck: walking into the room to hear someone moan, "Does anybody know who made that quiche?  I mean, it is fantastic!" 

I introduced myself to Wanda and proudly took credit, although the truth is my mom did most of the work while I just bossed her around during her visit last week.  Wanda extracted a promise that I would share the recipe and even followed up by presenting me with a pen and paper to write down my email address in case I should turn evasive with my precious recipe.  We take food very seriously at OCC.


Here is the recipe that my mom and I invented for Leek and Rainbow Chard Quiche.  (We used those vegetables because they're fresh and delicious in Northern California right now, but you can use anything you like.)

Leek and Rainbow Chard Quiche

1 circle frozen pie crust (Trader Joe’s), thawed
Olive oil
3 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), coarsely chopped
1/2 bunch rainbow chard, ribs removed, leaves chopped
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
3 large eggs
¾ cup grated Emmentaler cheese
¼ cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 450.

Transfer thawed pastry crust to 9-inch-diameter pie pan. Trim overhang.

Heat olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover; cook until leeks are very tender but not brown, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add chard; saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. These should turn into about one cup of filling.

Sprinkle most of the cheese into the pie pan, reserving a small handful to sprinkle over the top later.

Add the sautéed vegetables.

Combine three eggs with cream.  Add any spices or salt and pepper you wish to use.  Whisk until well blended and pour over vegetable layer.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Place on cookie sheet in center of oven for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes, depending on your oven – it is done when the center has risen and a knife comes out clean from the center.