This is turning into Wales week here in
the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen! Today we welcome back our friend Elizabeth J. Duncan, who’s
been in Wales since last fall and shows no signs of coming home. Make sure you read to the end to see Elizabeth's giveaway.
Here's Elizabeth with a treat for you!
You probably think of sandwiches when
you think of picnics, and quiche when you think of standby fare for lunch or a
light supper, but easy-to-make quiche is actually the perfect picnic food.
Today we’re making one using that most traditional of Welsh ingredients, the
leek, and then we’re taking it on a picnic. Yes, the weather and views in this
beautiful country are such that we ramble and picnic in January!
The leek is a national emblem of Wales.
According to legend, Saint David, patron saint of Wales, ordered his Welsh
soldiers to identify themselves by wearing the vegetable on their helmets in an
ancient battle against the Saxons that took place in a leek field. It is still
worn on St David's Day each March 1.
Leek Quiche
You just need a few basic ingredients! |
Ingredients
4 oz Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated
1 leek, washed and sliced
3 eggs
6 oz milk or cream or a combination of
both
salt, pepper
one pie crust, homemade or store
bought, cooked
Optional: : Add whatever happens to be
in the fridge: mushrooms, bacon … I had some Scottish smoked salmon on hand and
added that.
Method
Wash the leek, slice crossways, and
sauté gently until soft and fragrant. Do not brown.
Gently saute the leeks |
Sprinkle cheese over the bottom
of the pie crust (or pastry case as its called in Wales), add the leek which
has been allowed to cool slightly. Beat eggs lightly with milk or cream, and
salt and pepper, and pour mixture over cheese and leeks.
Ready for the oven! |
Bake at 350 until the
centre is set, about 25 minutes.
Ready to slice! |
Allow to cool, cut into slices and pack
for your picnic. Or enjoy on March 1 in celebration of St. David’s Day.
Here's Elizabeth showing us part of her packed 'winter' picnic on a clear day at the base of Mt. Snowdon. What a spectacular view. No wonder she's spending so much time in Wales. Wow!
More from Elizabeth:
I’m delighted to give away an ARC of Murder on the Hour, the seventh in
the award-winning Penny Brannigan mystery series, to be published in April
2016, by Minotaur. Just leave a comment below and we’ll pick a winner at random.
Entrants welcome from Canada, USA and the UK.
Here's some more about Elizabeth. A former
journalist and college professor, Elizabeth J. Duncan is the author of two
mystery series –the well-established, Penny Brannigan Mysteries set in North
Wales, and the recently launched Shakespeare in the Catskills. Elizabeth has
been nominated for, and won, several awards, including the 2013 Bloody Words
Light Mystery Award (aka the Bony Blithe), a Canadian national juried award
given annually for a light mystery. Elizabeth
divides her time between Canada and Wales and is a faculty member of the Humber
School for Writers.
To connect with Elizabeth, visit her web page ViSIT ELIZABETH'S WEBSITE, follow
her on Twitter @Elizabethduncan or LIKE ELIZABETH ON FACEBOOK
I've read all the Penny Brannigan books as they've come out, and I was delighted when I came across Shakespeare in the Catskills, especially since I grew up in upstate NY.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying them!
DeleteThis looks very tasty! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletekaren(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
It was tasty! But everything tastes better outdoors.
DeleteThanks... I've added this to my Super Bowl Brunch! I'm new to this book and author, and I'm intrigued. kat8762@aol.com
ReplyDeleteDidn't think of it as Super Bowl fare, but why not!
DeleteLove reading about the history of the leek, the quiche recipe; and the book definitely sounds great! EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy all of it!
DeleteI like leeks but can't always find a good recipe to use them. You can't go wrong with quiche.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I have missed this series or the Shakespeare in the Catskills series, but they both sound like something I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the giveaway.
sallycootie@gmail.com
Hope you'll give both series a try. And I agree with you … can't go wrong with quiche!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway. I'll have to look up your books. suefoster109@netzero.net
ReplyDeletePlease do!
DeleteYou've got to love a country that marches into battle wearing vegetables on their heads (I hope they won!). Since my husband's parents' surnames were Williams and Evans, and my mother's was Floyd (ap Lloyd?), obviously we have a Welsh bias. Your quiche looks beautiful--wonderful colors.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila, Legend has it they did win and to this day the Royal Welch Fusiliers eat raw leeks on March 1! Lots of great Welsh names there!
DeleteThanks for the chance to win! Dmskrug3@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a new to me series but the title is also personal to my family. My 94yr old FIL is bedbound and driving us crazy. At any hour of the day one of us it likely to say, I'd like to wring his neck. The switches that most people have that makes them able to live in society appear to have all broken at once.
ReplyDeleteHis cognition is shot and his two favorite words are "done! and Did it!", even if someone else is the one doing something.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Hope you will give the series a try.
DeleteLeeks are such an underrated and underused vegetable, but I love them. My winter picnic (in Ottawa) is more likely to be indoors! I will definitely try this recipe and would love to win a copy of Murder on the Hour.
ReplyDeleteNancy R - my email is jw.nl.reid@sympatico.ca
Yes, we could all show leeks a little more love!
DeleteThe quiche looks very good, time to go to the store and get a leek or two. I have the first couple in the series and enjoyed reading them, thank so much for a chance to win! annelovell12@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the books!
DeleteThe quiche sounds like a winner for my hubby... it will go great with some tea & a good book! *wink*
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
Kelly Braun
Tea and books! Perfect!
DeleteThe quiche sounds like a winner for my hubby... it will go great with some tea & a good book! *wink*
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
Kelly Braun
good luck!
DeleteWould love to read this. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteDiane Rivera
quickchangeus@yahoo.com
good luck!
DeleteWould like to win pwtish171@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteI had not considered quiche for picnic food but it would be sturdy enough to not be damaged easily and would certainly be a touch of elegance away from my standard sandwiches. Lil
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Makes a nice change!
DeleteGreat recipe and history, Elizabeth. So glad you could visit here at MLK. You really brought something unusual 'to the table'.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
MJ/VA
Thank you so much for having me back. Always a lovely warm welcome in the MLK!
DeleteThis looks sooooo good! One dumb question: how far up that leek do you slice? Until you get to the dark green?
ReplyDeleteGood question! Start from the bottom and slice until you get to the dark green.
DeleteIt's always fun to try a new recipe! rebarger@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeleteHope you will give it a try!
DeleteMy Grandmother's grandparents emigrated to the United States from Wales, so I love reading and learning about it. I'm so glad to hear about your Penny Brannigan Mysteries! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteHope you will give the series a try!
DeleteIt is quite a picture to imagine soldiers going into battle with leeks on their helmets!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us how simple a quiche really is. And adaptable.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Quiches are indeed simple and adaptable. And easy!
DeleteA new-to-me-author to try. Thanks for the recipe and a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteWould love to go on a picnic that Elizabeth prepared. I love
ReplyDeletePotatoes & Leeks creamed soup. Will have to try this recipe.
Carol Smith
penelope223(at) yahoo(dot)com
Hi Carol, Hope you give it a try. Cheers.
DeleteI've often heard that leaks can be sandy inside and have been afraid to try them---but this quiche sounds awfully tasty so maybe it's time to buy a leek. Thanks for the recipe and the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This one wasn't sandy, but you can cut them up and put them in a bowl of water and the sand will fall to the bottom. Then rinse well. Good luck!
DeleteWhat a delicious sounding recipe. I love quiches when made with cheese and think this pie sounds just as tasty. If your book is as tasty as the recipe I am sure it would be a wonderful read. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI hope it's tasty. Delicious, even!
DeleteThis novel sounds like a real treat! As does the recipe - wish I were less kitchen-challenged! This is the first time I've heard of the author and this series (sorry to confess that) and would love the opportunity to change that! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteOH, PS. I have heard of this wonderful author, just haven't read her books yet - have had 'Shakespeare' on my Kindle wish list for quite a while! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com
DeleteHope you'll enjoy the book. And quiches are easy -- give it a go!
DeleteIs this typically eaten cold? I think I would prefer hot. Leeks are yummy. Bobbipad at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteDelicious hot, cold or room temperature!
DeleteThank you! I'm always looking for a new quiche recipe!
ReplyDeletenjcar22@aol.com
Hope you'll enjoy this recipe.
DeleteThank you for the delicious recipe and the wonderful giveaway. I love quiche! areewekidding@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletegood luck!
DeleteThank you for the recipe and the history lesson. Can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeletedavisel1830@hotmail.com
Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI haven't read this series yet, but would really like to read. Thanks for a great giveaway.
ReplyDeletediannekc8@gmail.com
Good luck!
DeleteSounds delicious! Looking forward to trying the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI like to use leeks in soup instead of onions.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
Great idea!
DeleteThank you for the recipe! Looking forward to reading this new to me series. dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it!
DeleteI'm new to the series and author so thanks for the feature! I subscribed to the authors newsletter. Great recipe and would love to get a chance to read some of her work.
ReplyDeletethanks for subscribing to the newsletter and good luck!
DeleteI'm new to this book and author, and I'm intrigued. Thanks for this chance to win! dm_richards(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Di. Hope you'll give the books a try! Thanks!
DeleteThat quiche looks great! And the book looks even better!
ReplyDeleteElaineE246 at msn dot com
Hi Elaine. Thank you for that lovely comment!
DeleteThat quiche looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I'm always interested in "new to me" authors and series. servedogmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHope you'll give the books and the quiche a try!
DeleteI haven't read your series yet but I went to amazon to check it out. I'm so excited to read a "new to me" author! thanks for the chance to win utaker555@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany, Thanks for checking out the books. Hope you'll give them a try.
DeleteThanks.......love this
ReplyDeleterhondajgothier@yahoo.com
Hi Rhonda. Good luck!
DeleteGreat recipe, easy to make and looks so good. I have you on my TBR list with both this series and your new one. Thanks for the chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Doward. Hope you enjoy the books and good luck!
DeleteI can't wait to read this title. Thanks for the chance. Zeta@iwon.com
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your lovely comments and to Mary Jane Mafini for hosting me in the Kitchen -- enjoy my visits so much. And the winner of the ARC of Murder on the Hour, Penny Brannigan mystery #8 releasing in April, is …Pat Dupuy!
ReplyDelete