Bonjour, Mother's Day!

Being a mom is not always easy. With all the things we do from homework to housework, it's easy to forget our joie de vivre (joy of living). So this Mother's Day, I am sharing this lovely French recipe for "My Family Quiche from Beatrice," from Jamie Cat Callan's book Bonjour, Happiness! Jamie Cat Callan has written many francophile books focused on interviews and advice from hundreds of French women about staying stylish at any age, romance, and finding your joie de vivre. Her books are delightful and remind us not to forget that we are powerful and sexy women! I now try to make sure my underwear always matches, I never forget to wear perfume or my favorite Chanel lipstick (Monte Carlo), and remember to take some time for myself. It's funny how such simple things can really enhance your joie de vivre!

This recipe is from Jamie's friend Beatrice, who lives in Toulouse and is a "high-powered executive in the medical field." Jamie was impressed by the generosity that Beatrice took time from her day to make her this wonderful quiche along side a green salad for a simple and beautiful lunch. I have to say this is one of the best and unique quiches I've ever made! For starters, the fabulous pastry crust is rolled on parchment and placed, parchment and all, inside the pan, giving it a nice rustic appearance. Charming! The filling is more of a souffle which creates a creamy cloud-like layer that enrobes a generous mixture of bacon, ham, and Swiss cheese. Delicious! I have Americanized the amounts for the pastry crust, e.g., using 4 ounces butter instead of 3 1/2 ounces, etc. to great effect. In addition, I did saute the bacon and drained it before adding it to the pastry crust. So, if you want to do something really special for your mom this Mother's Day, skip the busy restaurants and make her this chic, elegant quiche that is guaranteed to enhance her joie de vivre! 

My Family Quiche from Beatrice

Serves 4-6
*This recipe calls for a 10" pan. I don't own one, so I used my 9" springform pan.

Ingredients:
For the Pastry Crust
4 ounces softened butter cut in small pieces
8 ounces flour
1 egg
1-2 teaspoons milk
1/8 teaspoon salt

For the Filling
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1 cup cream
3 1/2 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
7 ounces bacon cut in small bits
7 ounces cooked ham sliced, and cut in small squares
Pepper (1 pinch)
Nutmeg (1 pinch)

Directions:

For the Pastry Crust

In a bowl, put flour and salt, then add the butter and mix with fingers. Add the egg and keep on mixing with fingers. Add a drop of milk so the mix forms a ball. Let rest in the fridge for minimum half an hour. (It can be prepared earlier in the day. In that case let it stand about 20 minutes out of the fridge before rolling it.)

When ready to use, take the dough out and using a rolling pin, roll it on a piece of cooking paper. Place it in the pan with the paper. Preheat the oven to 460 degrees.

For the Filling

In a bowl, mix the egg yolks and the cream. Add the shredded cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. (Usually you don't need to add salt, as the bacon, ham, and cheese are already salted.) Beat the whites until hard. (I think she means firm peaks.) Carefully incorporate the whites (without breaking) (I think she means fold in gently) in the bowl containing yolks, cream, and cheese. In the pan, on the unbaked crust, place bacon and ham. Pour the filling in the crust. Place low in the oven for 30 minutes.

Serve with a green salad.