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!

Haute Papier Madness

Stationery freaks, wait until you hear this - Haute Papier (a favorite DC-based paper shop of mine) offers a subscription box called a Haute Box.  For only $80/year or $20/box, they'll send you a quarterly box of beautiful "pens, pads, coasters, greeting cards, and letterpressed goodies."  Who doesn't like that?

Sign up for one box or a yearly subscription.  I'm anxiously awaiting my first box!

Yes, You Should Bring a Hostess Gift

Can you get away with not bringing a hostess gift to an event at someone's home?  I guess.  But, as Emily Post said, "A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated."  It's in poor taste not to bring a small gift if you are attending a cocktail or dinner party (cookouts count) and especially if you're a house guest for any length of time or you're attending a house warming party.

Remember that a good hostess gift does not have to be expensive or a big deal.  The best gifts are those that can be used for future entertaining, can be used that night, or is a little something extra that the host or hostess wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves.  The purpose of bringing a hostess gift is to show your appreciation for being invited.

A bottle of wine is nice, a bouquet of flowers is fine.  But, why give your host or hostess the same thing as everyone else?  Here are some of the more fun gift ideas I've seen around the internet lately (click to shop):

For those who happen to live in the DC area, my absolute favorite place to pick up fun and unique hostess gifts is The Nest Egg in Fairfax Corner.  They even gift wrap!  You'll also find plenty of things you're in dire need of yourself, guaranteed.

If you forget to pick a gift up before the event or if you leave it at home on the counter on the way out, don't worry!  I completely forgot to pack our hostess gift for my mother-in-law, Mrs. Morgan, when my husband and I went to his parents' house for a week-long stay.  You can redeem yourself within the laws of etiquette by sending a thank-you arrangement, box of treats, or other surprise by delivery after the fact.  Even the strictest of us have an etiquette lapse sometimes.

Flying the Friendly Skies Wisely

I travel a lot, but I certainly have sympathy for those who don't and who may not necessarily have TSA policies at the forefront of their brain.  However, savvy and less-savvy travelers alike hate that person in line at airport security who is surprised that she can't wear a parka and boots through or who is shocked he can't bring his 2-liter of Diet Coke with him.  I'm that person behind you with shoes/scarf/jacket off, sighing obviously, while holding my laptop and regulation-sized baggie of liquids.  Get it together!

Recently, I posted on how to pack for your travels.  Now, we're talking about how to be an efficient, stress-free, and smart traveler when flying to your destination of choice.

Checking In for a Flight
If your airline allows it, check in online before heading to the airport.  You can also pay for any checked baggage at that time.  If you're unable to check in before arrival, the self-service kiosk is your best bet.  The full-service desk with an attendant is the worst possible choice if you're in a hurry.

Checking Your Luggage...Or Not
Checking luggage is great for lots of reasons - no dragging anything around the airport, no fighting for overhead compartments, and much more.  However, there is some headache involved in checking luggage.  First, many airlines charge for checking baggage on domestic flights.  Often, there is no charge for international flights, but make sure to verify that ahead of time. Many airlines also have a 50 lb weight limit for checked bags.  There will often be an overage fee for bags over the limit.

The benefit to doing carry-on for all luggage is that you don't have to wait at the baggage carousel, there's no fee (usually, see Frontier's awful new policy), and there's little chance of losing your bags.  One of my favorite tricks for carry on luggage is to volunteer to check your bag at the gate before boarding.  Airlines will frequently do this for full flights.  It's almost always free!

TSA/Airport Security
The best advice possible for TSA is to PLAN AHEAD.  TSA takes forever to get through - always.  Whether it's confused people or slow staff, you'll always want to plan for far more time than you think you need to get through security.  Most of all, don't be a jerk.  When you get in line for security, take off your scarf/jacket/cardigan/shoes, get your laptop out, get your baggie of liquids out, and take off anything that will set off the metal detectors.  You'd think this would be common sense, but every airport visit shows it isn't. 

Click here for TSA's packing tips for making going through security easier.

In-Flight Comfort
When you get on the plane, take out your items you'll want during the flight when you sit down.  Even if everything you need is in the bag under the seat, it's still a pain to you and to your seat mates if you keep pulling the bag out to get things during the flight. 

More Advanced In-Flight Comfort
I just got back from Korea last night, so I've tested and fully validated your need for the following extra items for international travel (or if you're just a princess on domestic travel):

• a seat pad to relieve pressure on your tailbone
• a blanket - or a Snuggie if you're feeling particularly audacious
• an eye mask for sleeping or undisturbed daydreaming (like my panda one)
• socks
• eye drops to prevent dry eyes
• lip balm

Be smart, be prepared, and make the flight easy on yourself and others.  Happy travels to you all!

(Passport Image Credit)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Mrs. Vandersluis, and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Morgan.  You ladies are my constant inspiration and aspiration. 

Happy wishes from me to you and all of your mothers out there for a glorious day!