Saturday Eats - When Bacon Meets Potatoes

Film Noir Night at the Range.  The photo was taken back at the crash pad before my post marriage job transfer but we brought the noir movies out again at home.  This one starring Hugh Beaumont of later "Leave it to Beaver" Fame. "When you deal with dames you are in the danger zone". A cheating wife, a dead husband, a shady "private detective" who has a history with the wife and the good guy that gets involved in what was to be a simple job of taking a beautiful socialite to a yacht party.

The guns are tiny, the women of dubious reputation, the good guys brave.  But one can't help but chuckle when the hero is knocked out at least twice in an episode including once by someone throwing a bottle at his head from a distance.  Of course, the dialogue is always entertaining-

Professor - "She and Spadely indulged in an adolescent romance in high school.  She's been an old fashioned girl every since."

Dennis O'Brien (Hugh B.) "Old fashioned?"

Professor - "Unfortunately she drank too many of them with too many different men to suit her husband."

It was a perfect night for "breakfast for dinner" and one that could be made without a trip to the store.  Most of us are more budget minded now, perhaps having our work hours cut or having to care for another family member,  or simply seeing how much less the dollar buys as our taxes go up.

Studies have shown that a fair amount of the groceries we pick up end up getting tossed, little bits and pieces of things not used while still fresh.

So once a week, I go through the fridge and try and make something out of all the leftover bits. Tonight I had hash browns, leftover steamed broccoli, part of an onion, leftover cheese from pasta and sandwiches, eggs, half and half and always, bacon.  Quiche material  I have to say, this was the best quiche I've ever made and my husband raved about it.

The crust was made with hash browns,  Rich, crisp, buttery.

The filling - farm fresh brown eggs with a blend of Italian cheeses for a delicate taste.

And Bacon!   
Bacon Quiche with Hash Brown Crust

Hash brown crust -

3 1/2 cups shredded potato (can use thawed hash browns) moisture removed (use a salad spinner or blot well with paper towels).
several grinds of pepper
a shake or two of sea salt
1/2 stick of butter melted.

Mix and pat in a large pie pan and bake at 450 F for 22-25 minutes until edges are browning up.   Remove and lower oven temp to 325. (if you want the bottom a little crispier, put some foil gently around the edges and cook an additional two minutes).

Cook 8 pieces of bacon, drain,

Chop and toss with 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup.

Mix in large bowl:

the bacon
1 and 1/2 cup slightly steamed broccoli
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (I threw in an extra little pinch)
1/8 teaspoon of favorite hot sauce.  I would highly recommend you get what I used, Scoville Brothers Singing Smoke hot sauce, not too hot and a rich, natural smoky taste, it's a must have for eggs and casseroles in my home.  The Scoville Brothers aren't a big company, just two Hoosier musicians that market their incredible hot sauces.

In small bowl mix:

4 eggs whisked
1 cup half and half.

Pour over veggies/bacon in the bigger bowl.

In a cereal bowl toss:

1 cup of  Italian  blend cheese (Asiago, Romano, Mozzarella, Parmesan)
1 Tablespoon of flour.

Gently stir cheese into quiche filling in the large bowl.

Gently ladle into crust and cook in 325-degree oven for 50-55 minutes. (knife inserted into center should come out clean).

Let sit 10 minutes and serve with crusty french bread and any leftover salad or fruit.

click on photos to enlarge

Turn the TV Back on Mom - It's time for ANIMAL PLANET!