Potato Crusted Asparagus & Leek Quiche

{Wine & Dine Wednesday} When we were visiting our friends in Sun Valley a few months ago, Jennifer made a potato crusted quiche that I flipped over. It was perfectly timed, as I had been seeing lots of recipes for them lately, and was really wanting to try one. This is my first attempt, and I will continue to make more to tweak things over time. That is what I do when I really like a certain dish, make it time and again to perfect it. Below, my first try, which was pretty darn yummy.

I really wanted to use a rectangular dish, as wanted the asparagus to run down the middle. Any 10ish inch dish will do. Fill it with a layer of small Yukon gold potatoes. This will be enough to make the crust. Add the potatoes to a pot of boiling water. Skins on. Cook until a knife goes easily in. When done, set aside to cool a bit.

Oven to 400. Prepare the dish you will be baking in, by rubbing it down with olive oil. Place the potatoes in. Take a heavy flat bottomed glass and press the potatoes down. Once you get to the sides, press upward to create the crust around the rim. Salt the potatoes. Put in oven for 30 minutes. Then take out and set aside.

Layer a sheet pan with asparagus. Drizzle olive oil over the lot. Then salt. Shake around so both cover the asparagus. Bake in that 400 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside. Chop up leeks and a sweet onion. Sauté in butter and olive oil till lightly browned.

In a bowl, break 7 eggs. Add a generous splash of heavy cream or whole milk. Plus lots of salt & pepper. Whisk all until well combined. Grate white cheddar cheese. Add to egg mixture. Add the leeks and onions. Then pour all into the waiting potato crust. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

At the 15 minute point, take out of the oven. Take off the foil and add the asparagus to the top. Brush on a bit of olive oil to the sides of the crust to help it all brown. Put back in the oven without the foil and cook another 15 minutes. Then take out and let cool slightly before enjoying!