Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Broccoli Quiche

Serves 3 – 4

This makes a lovely evening meal served warm with homemade coleslaw. It is also really portable so can be taken on picnics or as packed lunches.

Ingredients

8oz wholemeal flour
4oz butter/solid margarine, cut into small cubes at room temperature
water
4 eggs
½ pint milk
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
50g cheddar grated and a little extra
1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
50g smoked salmon, sliced
4 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 spring onions, finely sliced
salt and pepper

First make the pastry

1.) Put the flour in a bowl, add the butter/margarine, then break up the lumps by rubbing them through the tips of your fingers and thumbs until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

2.) Sprinkle in just enough water to bind – about 3 tablespoons, and mix together with a knife. The mixture should start to form a lump.

3.) Bring together with your hands and shape into a ball. Place in clingfilm and put aside to rest for 10-30 minutes, depending on how much time you have.

Meanwhile preheat the oven to 160°C and make the filling:

4.) Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the broccoli florets. Bring back to the boil and cook for 2 minutes until still slightly firm.

5.) Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

6.) Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk well with a fork

7.) Add the mustard and mix again.

8.) Add the milk gradually, whisking throughout and then season with salt and pepper.

9.) Roll out the pastry and use to line a 20cm cake tin or other heat-proof dish.

10.) Prick the bottom with a fork in a few places and line with greaseproof paper. Cook in oven for 10 minutes.

11.) Remove from oven and remove the greaseproof paper.

Turn up the oven to 180°C

12.) Scatter the broccoli over the pastry, top with the salmon slices, spring onions and cherry tomatoes. Pour in the egg and milk mixture and top with the cheese

13.) Carefully place the quiche in the oven and cook for 35 minutes or until the egg mixture is set

14.) Remove from the oven and serve hot, warm or cold