Springtime Asparagus Leek Quiche

Spring is making an early arrival this year with beautiful warm days and what better way to welcome an spring than with a delicious Asparagus Leek Quiche. Asparagus is now available all year long but I am still think of asparagus and spring together. One of my favorite combination is asparagus and leeks which I used in making this rich feta cheese quiche. A wonderfully easy dish with store bought piecrust but still tasting so delicious!

 Springtime Asparagus Leek Quiche

Ingredients

1 (14.1-oz.) pkg. refrigerated piecrusts

2 tablespoons (1 oz.) salted butter

2 cups thinly sliced leeks

1 bunch thinly sliced scallions  

1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)

1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 

1 cup heavy cream

8 large eggs

2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper 

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Unroll piecrusts; stack on a lightly floured surface. Roll stacked piecrusts into a 12-inch circle. Fit piecrust into a 10-inch deep-dish, lightly greased tart pan with removable bottom; press into fluted edges. Trim off excess piecrust along edges. Line piecrust with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and fill to rim with pie weights or dried beans. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven 14 minutes. Remove weights and foil, and bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 more minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Cool piecrust completely on baking sheet on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high. Add leeks, scallions and  cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in asparagus; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove from heat, and cool 5 minutes.
3. Whisk together cream, eggs, chives, parsley, nutmeg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
4. Place half of leek mixture (about 1 cup) in tart shell; sprinkle with 1/4 cup feta. Spoon half of cream mixture (about 1 1/2 cups) over feta. Repeat layers once, and sprinkle top with remaining 1/4 cup feta.
5. Bake in preheated oven until set, about 1 hour. Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack 20 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!