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
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