Asparagus and Halloumi Quiche

01 Oct Asparagus and Halloumi Quiche

This recipe has been created as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Canberra blog Photo Before We Eat.

As spring arrives, one of the first bits of green you’ll see in a fallow veggie patch is a tiny asparagus shoot, making its way toward the sunshine. Crisp and sweet, it’s the perfect addition to your new season recipes.

Here at Ziggys we are loving the tender, vivid green asparagus that’s coming into the store. It’s so young and willowy that you can easily enjoy it raw in a salad or as part of this beautiful quiche with halloumi.

Ingredients

• 200g plain flour
• 100g chilled butter, cubed
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic (garlic salt)
• 4 tablespoons ice cold water
• 2 bunches asparagus
• 200g block of halloumi, grated
• 6 eggs
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• salt and pepper

Method

1. Process the flour, cold butter, salt and dried garlic until it resembles sand.
2. With the processor running, add the ice cold water in a steady stream. As soon as the mixture forms a ball, stop the processor immediately. The secret to a light, crisp pastry is working the dough as little as possible.
3. Roll the dough out to about 3/4 cm thick and press into a quiche tin. Prick all over with a fork and place in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
5. In a bowl beat the eggs adding chives. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add most of the grated halloumi, reserving a tiny bit to sprinkle on top.
7. When the oven is hot, remove the quiche pastry from the freezer, line with baking paper and fill with rice to weigh it down during the blind bake.
8. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. The sides should be just starting to go golden.
9. Remove the rice and baking paper. These can be re-used, just be careful as they will be very hot. If your base still looks a little doughy, it’s ok to pop it back in the oven for 5 or 10 minutes.
10. Once the pastry shell is out of the oven, fill with the egg and halloumi mixture.
11. Trim the ends off your asparagus and arrange them on top of the quiche.
12. Sprinkle with a little halloumi and bake until puffed up and golden – about 25 minutes.