Mother's Day Brunch

It's the North Carolina primary. Don't forget to vote today!

I actually made this on Easter Sunday, but it was so amazing I had to share for those wonderful adult children who want to make their mothers a fabulous, meatless breakfast.

Martha Stewart's Spinach and Gruyere Quiche

I have not yet picked up my deep dish pie plate, so I normally have to reduce the contents of my quiche. I used only 1/2 red onion - you can probably still use three shallots, but I already had a red onion. I used one bag of spinach - I am not sure what a bunch is unless I'm at the Farmer's market. I only bought 4 oz of cheese instead of 8 oz, but since I reduced so much of my ingredients it worked out better. I only used six (6) eggs and 1.5 cup of half-n-half (organic, of course).

I do not make pie crust. Some people have this fabulous way of making the most desirable pie crust. I am not that person. I buy Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust and it tastes the same as all others I could make. I have also been known to buy the frozen deep dish pie crusts if I do need more. It's all the same to me. You will not be able to buy low fat pie crusts, so don't even try. You can reduce your calories by what you put in it instead.

A few tips here:

When wilting your spinach, do about 1/2 the bag at a time. When the spinach is wilted, lift the pan and tilt away from you so that the liquid falls to the other side. Take a spoon and pull the spinach towards the edge of the pan closest to you, draining the liquid. Then just spill the spinach onto a cutting board. It doesn't waste paper towels. Pour out the liquid before moving to the second half of the bag. Chop spinach after wilted.

You want to saute all your vegetables and let them cool in the bowl before adding the eggs. I hate when I add eggs to hot foods and it cooks the egg. Not pretty presentation. Add the half-n-half first to cool the vegies before whisking in your eggs. I like my whole eggs, but for those of us (myself included) who need to be more conscious of cholesterol, substitute egg whites for a few of the eggs. You will not get as firm a quiche using egg whites, so I suggest only substituting two eggs.

Fruit Skewers

This is not much of a recipe, but its a beautiful presentation. Take your favorite colorful fruits; I used strawberries, green grapes, pineapple and kiwi. Buy a few days before to make sure that all fruit is ripe. Prep fruits e.g. wash and haul strawberries, skin kiwi, etc.

Take wood or metal skewers (ask your grilling partner to borrow some or buy the wooden ones for cheap at your grocery). Just be careful that you do not buy "seasoned" skewers. Most likely they are not flavored with seasonings that complement fruit. Layer different color fruits together to create a rainbow pattern. I alternated green fruits with red strawberries and yellow pineapple.

Other Sides

I made Martha's Angel Biscuits with black strap molasses. Beware, the biscuits take 2 hours to chill so make them in advance. I would also suggest a yummy chicken sausage for our meat eaters. Trader Joes has an awesome selection. Martha also suggests a nice bibb lettuce salad for my super-healthy readers. I couldn't get my food audience to go along with that, but maybe mama will. I hope your mother feels special today!