Minced Beef Quiche

Quiche is a pie dish with a savoury filling of meat, cheese, cream and eggs.  There are many varieties of Quiche and this dish can be eaten hot and cold.

Crust Ingredients:
250 g plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
130 g cold butter
3 - 4 tbsp fresh milk
1 egg (size "M")

Method:
In a mixing bowl, mix flour and salt together.  Add butter and by using your finger tips, do the "rubbing-in" method until the mixture resembles like bread crumbs.  Add in milk and egg. Knead until a pliable dough is formed.  Wrap dough in cling film and store in the fridge for about one hour.

Grease a pie tin or a loose bottom baking tin (28 cm in diameter) with butter.  Leave aside. Roll out dough between 2 plastic sheets to a 32 cm diameter circle.  Remove top plastic sheet and invert dough circle onto baking tin.  Remove the second plastic sheet.  Store baking tin in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

By using a fork, make several punctures on the base.  Place a baking paper over base and add dried beans.  Bake in a preheated conventional (no fan) oven at 200° C for about 15 minutes.  Once done, remove baking paper and dried beans.  Bake further for about 10 minutes.  Once done, remove from oven.

Filling Ingredients:
300 g minced beef or mutton
4 shallots, to be peeled and finely diced
1 pip garlic, to be peeled and finely diced
1 stalk red chillie, to be finely diced
2 tbsp chopped dill
1 tbsp tomato puree
3 tbsp olive oil
150 ml red wine or beef stock
salt & pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper

200 g Schmand (sour cream)
150 g grated Emmentaler cheese
2 eggs
salt & pepper to taste

1 tbsp chopped dill for garnishing

Method:
In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and add diced shallots, garlic and chillie.  Stir-fry until onions are translucent.  Then, add minced beef and stir-fry until minced beef changes colour. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.  Then, add tomato puree and stir well.  Lastly, add red wine or beef stock. Cook until the liquid is evaporated.  Leave aside to cool down. Once cooled down, add chopped dill and mix well.

Add minced beef mixture to pre-baked crust shell and spread evenly.  In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and grated cheese together.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture over minced meat mixture and spread evenly.

Bake at the same oven temperature for about 25 to 30 minutes.  Once done, remove from oven.  Sprinkle with chopped dill just before serving.  Serve warm or cold.

Bon Appetit!