Pretending I’m in Paris….

All this talk about France lately has made crave French food so tonight I tested my baking skills and made a quiche by hand…crust and everything! I had some time since I didn’t have to work but had to be back up in Orlando anyway for school in the morning so I just went for it…and it turned out great! I actually have never made quiche before and really didn’t eat it much in France, if you can believe. But…tonight I was craving it for some odd reason. I made a Leek, Pancetta and Gruyere Quiche in a Whole-Wheat Pastry Crust. I used a standard pie crust recipe but modified it a bit to be more nutritious by substituting whole wheat pastry flour for the standard white. I think it tasted even better because it had more of a gritty mouth feel to it as well as a little crunch. I made crusts last week in school so I knew what was coming, but it really wasn’t difficult at all. Probably took 15 minutes. And I got “baking beans” for christmas from Ryan’s parents, which are little beans you put in pie crusts while you pre-bake the crust so it doesn’t all puff up on you.

The quiche recipe is rich.  Don’t get me wrong. But if you just enjoy one slice with a salad and a glass of wine it makes for a great, light meal. Quiche’s are typically high in fat, as this one probably is because of the cheese, pancetta and eggs…but who sits and eats all six or eight slices? One slice fills you up without weighing you down and I found the portion to be perfect. This is very portable too so it makes a nice lunch to bring from home to the office. Or, you can do what I just did. Individually wrap each slice and freeze them! I’m sure I will bring a slice or two out in the upcoming weeks and be very glad I saved it! It was SO tasty and I just love Gruyere cheese and anything with it (crepes, sandwiches, wine…haha). Do try this recipe…leeks are totally in season right now and wonderful. Don’t eat the whole quiche in one sitting, but enjoy a slice and be happy that YOU made it and the ingredients are quality and sustaining. Let me know what you think. 🙂

My meal of a slice of quiche, a salad and a 4-ounce glass of red wine came to be 569 calories.

 Inside view of the quiche…full of leeks, pancetta and gruyere 🙂

Little quiche slices all ready to be wrapped up and put safely away in the freezer

Oh, and on my drive home today I had a KIND: Fruit and Nut bar for 170 calories. I just LOVE these…they are like candy bars to me!!!