Ingredients
Pastry:
175g plain flour
85g cold hard butter, cut into small cube
1 tbsp cold water
Filling:
1 onion, diced
175g streaky bacon, chopped
125g grated cheddar or gruyere
2 eggs
250 ml single cream (although I used mix of single and double)
First make the pastry: tip the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub in gently with the fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs ( actually do this in a stand mixer with k beater). Add 3 tablespoons cold water until the pastry comes together in a ball.
2. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 20cm (8in) loose-bottomed flan tin. Ideally, use a fluted tin.
3. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C (fan 200°C/425°F/Gas 7). Blind bake the pastry case for 20 minutes, removing the baking beans after 10.
4. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (fan 160°C/350°F/Gas 4). Fry the onion and the bacon in a sauté pan over a medium heat for 10 minutes in a little oil, until the bacon is golden and crispy. Transfer to the cooled pastry case with a slotted spoon together with the juices, top with the cheese.
6. In a bowl, combine the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper, then pour into the quiche. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and just set. Be careful not to overcook the quiche, or the filling will become tough and full of holes.
Method
What is there to say about this. Retro classic? Blind irrelevance? Real men don't eat quiche? Incidentally I have just had a "I must be getting old" moment, cos the elder 2 girls just laughed at that expression and were completely unaware of it - whereas to people of my generation it inhibited quiche eating )whether enjoyable or not) for many many years....... Google incidentally tells me that the expression was the title of a book by an American called Bruce Feirstein - so thanks for ruining it for us, Mr F.
Incidentally I had another of those "must be old moments" when I was taking the Girl Children to see the new Mamma Mia (2) movie. I was talking about Cher and they all said "who?" unbelievable.
The Eldest had asked for quiche a few days ago and I eventually got round to it - it is a classic combo of bacon, onions cheese and eggs. What is not to like. And of course for a classic we turn to Mrs Berry for instruction, and this recipe is hers. Needless to say it was faultless and delicious. A crisp pastry shell laden with savoury goodness.