Recipe: Easy Quiche

This recipe is an adaptation of an old Weight Watchers recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Quiche that I got years ago.  It's the simplest and best recipe I've found for quiche, and it's easy to adapt for different quiche fillings.
 
Spinach and Cheese Quiche
Serves 6-8

Ingredients 

• 6 oz pie crust, 9-inch, refrigerated  
• 2 tsp olive oil  
• 1/2 cup uncooked red onion, chopped  
• 1 1/4 cups part-skim ricotta cheese  
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese  
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard  
• 1 tsp dried oregano 
• 1 tsp dried rosemary 
• 1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste  
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese  

Instructions

• In a colander, run cool water over the spinach until it is thawed.  After the spinach is thawed, allow it to drain while you prepare the quiche filling.

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF.  Press pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and refrigerate until you're ready to fill the quiche.

• Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until it is soft, about 3 minutes. 

• In a large bowl, add the cooked onion, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, egg, egg whites, mustard, oregano, rosemary, and salt.  Mix well.

•  Fold the spinach into the filling mixture.

•  Spoon the mixture into your pie crust and pat the surface with a wooden spoon to make it level.

•  Sprinkle the top of the quiche with the Parmesan cheese. 


• Bake until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Instead of spinach, you can use 10 ounces of any vegetable, or a combined 10 ounces of any other filling, like ham, mushrooms, broccoli...

Let me know what variations you try!

A Few of My Favorite Things: {Beauty Products}

My mom taught me to always put my best self forward, from manners to appearance.  Early on, my mom insisted on good skin and hair care, and those lessons continue to benefit me.

After years and years of "research," I've found high-quality beauty care products that I love and I know you will too.  Click the links to shop!

Skin Care 

Since I turned 28, I've been obsessed with my skin.  After lots of searching and purchasing, I've finally found what I promise are the best skin care products for normal skin and minor anti-aging needs.

Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is not only gentle, but it gets rid of even waterproof mascara without scrubbing.

Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System is the next best thing to a daily facial.  The bristles gently cleanse and exfoliate in just 60 seconds.

Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate is by far my favorite of all of these skin care products.  A drop does so much to moisturize and smooth out my skin.



 
Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Eye Repair can be used both morning and night.  I've noticed a difference in my crows feet since starting with this product.



Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Pads does the job without burning.

 

Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Antioxident Pads are refreshing after your morning shower. They don't make you sensitive to sunlight either!

Caudalie Divine Oil is a dry oil that can be used on face or body without making you greasy.

 

Glamglow Mud Mask Very Sexy is the best solution for spot treatments.  You look like a monster with the black volcanic ask on your face, but 10 minutes later, you wash it off and look like a princess.


 
Hair Care 

My hair took a very long time to tame and beat into submission.  Now, I've found a great product mix from Kerastase that protects my color and keeps my hair flat-iron-fresh in DC humidity.  Kerastase products may seem pricey, but they are incredible and they last a really long time.


Kérastase Bain Chroma Captive - Cleanse is a building shampoo that strengthens your hair.



Kérastase Fondant Chroma Captive - Treat also strengthens your hair, but it leaves your hair soft without buildup.



Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique - Prime is my secret weapon against humidity.



Makeup

My makeup favorites change monthly, but these have stayed my favorites for a few months now, which is like a lifetime for me.

CLIO Water Me Pls (I really debated over linking to an eBay auction for this, but that's pretty much to only way to get this Korean brand in the U.S. as of now.)  This BB cream stays on all day and even through my strenuous workouts.  It works for virtually all skin tones and blends beautifully.

the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter, Shadow & Shimmer gives just the slightest highlight without making you look like a 12 year old.

Stila Custom Color Blush is absolutely amazing.  It looks outrageously pink, but the color adjusts to your skin tone after application.

 

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner goes on smooth and is really easy to tight-line with or to make a bolder line.



Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof is my oldest standby.  I've used this waterproof formula since middle school and have never been disappointed. 






What products do you love?

Recipe: Greek Sauté

Like many of my meals, this recipe came together as an adaptation of a plainer version.  The Greek flavor from the feta really makes this dish more special than your average sauté.  The spring mix can be switched out for arugula for a spicier flavor, or spinach for a milder version.

Greek Sauté
Serves 4

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups grape tomatoes
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 10 oz spring mix greens
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp lemon pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta

Instructions

• Put pine nuts in a large nonstick skillet and set over medium heat; cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

• Heat olive oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and onions, tossing occasionally, about 6 to 10 minutes. 

• Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

• Add greens gradually; cook just until wilted, about 1 minute. 

• Sprinkle with salt, lemon pepper, dill, feta, and pine nuts.  Toss to combine.  *Instead of lemon pepper, I used a slightly citrus-y pepper from Penzeys Spices, Florida Seasoned Pepper.  If you're looking for a less intense flavor than lemon pepper, this spice is a really good alternative.

Serve warm and enjoy!