The Good Egg Adapted – Serves 6

When I met Annie’s dad, I discovered that the Wilkes men were often a hard sell. They ate iceberg lettuce and a tomato and called it a salad. As big carnivores, they believed every meal should include meat and preferred to stick with the familiar. When I tried to serve quiche for dinner, my ex told me: “Real men don’t eat quiche.” It sounds like a cliche, and a bestselling book from the ‘80s, which it was. But his sisters told me that he was so tough as a baby, he wore leather diapers. It was a joke, I hope. Deep down, he was a good egg. He had a genuine kindness that transcends my memories of the difficulties we struggled with.

But real men DO eat quiche. Annie made this for her partner, Javi, and he devoured all of the quiche in one day, not realizing they were meant to be breakfast for the whole week. Definitions of masculinity may change, but this recipe continues to remain fantastic. With a crisp golden crust and silky egg custard, the sautéed mushrooms are the star of this savory quiche. 

Ingredients

• 1T Olive oil
• 1 Pre-baked 9” pie crust
• 12 oz Mushrooms, sliced
• 3 Eggs plus one egg yolk
• 1 ½ C Half and half or cream
• 2 t Dried mustard
• 2T Minced shallots
• ¾  C Grated swiss or gruyere cheese
• 1/8 t Nutmeg
• ¼ t tabasco

Directions

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
• Place sliced mushrooms in a large skillet on medium-low heat, with no oil. Sauté mushrooms, stirring occasionally. When the mushrooms are browned and crisp, add oil. 
• Continue to sauté for about four minutes, then add shallots and sauté until shallots are softened. 
• Let the mushroom mixture cool for 10 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, blend together the eggs and half and half. Add dried mustard, nutmeg and tabasco to the egg mixture.
• Add the mushroom mixture to the pie shell and sprinkle on the cheese. 
• Pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms and cheese. 
• Place the pie dish on a baking pan.
• Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the knife inserted comes out clean.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.