Recipe: Great American Home Baking Ham and Cheese Quiche (with variations)

HAM AND CHEESE QUICHE
Great American Home Baking
(card 15, section 4, main dish baking)

25 minutes preparation, 30 minutes chilling, 35-45 minutes baking

PASTRY:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon chilled solid vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons cold water
FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup chopped cooked ham
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of ground nutmeg

To prepare pastry, in a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut shortening into flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.

Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until a dough forms. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 10-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch quiche or pie pan. Trim edges.

To prepare filling, in a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat; cool.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese over crust. Top with onion, then ham. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, half-and-half, cream, salt, cayenne and nutmeg. Pour egg mixture over ham and cheese.
Bake quiche until golden and custard is set, 35 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

BAKING TIP / VARIATIONS:
Substitute leftover roast beef or turkey for the ham, or use leftover carrots, potatoes, or peas for a vegetarian quiche.