Rocket & Leek Quiche

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

Pastry

• 225g plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 170g unsalted butter
• 1 egg yolk mixed with 3 Tbsp chilled water

Filling

• 2 medium leeks
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1½ Tbsp olive oil
• 130g rocket, trimmed and chopped
• 3 x size 6 free-range eggs
• 200g (¾ cup) crème fraiche
• ¼ cup milk
• ¾ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan

Method

1. For the pastry, put flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel chopping blade. Cut butter into cubes and add. Using the pulse button, cut the butter through the flour until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Pour in the mixed egg yolk and water and process using the pulse button until the ingredients start to form large clumps (nearly forming a ball). Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and lightly knead into a ball. Wrap pastry in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes, until it has started to firm (don't let it get hard or it will be difficult to roll out).

2. Roll out pastry and line into a 22cm loose-bottomed flan ring (the flan ring should be on a baking sheet for support). Chill until firm.

3. Prepare the filling. Use a large knife to cut off the tops of the leeks, then shave off any tough parts from the top and remove any coarse outer leaves. Trim off the roots, and cut each leek in two lengthwise, then rinse thoroughly under running water. Slice thinly.

4. Put leeks and garlic in a medium-sized frying pan with the oil. Cook gently for about 12 minutes, stirring often, until leeks have wilted and softened. Add rocket, and stir until it has wilted. Cool.

5. Whisk eggs, crème fraiche and milk together in a large bowl and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in leek mixture, then pour everything into the pastry case. Sprinkle the parmesan over the top. 

6. Have a second baking sheet heating in an oven preheated to 180°C (fanbake). Transfer quiche to the hot baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, or until pastry is golden around the edges and the top is a good golden colour. Cool quiche for 10 minutes on a rack, then remove flan ring, leaving quiche on the metal base of the flan ring until cooled. Serve warmish or at room temperature.