Real Men Eat [and Make] Quiche

Valentine's Day is just a few days away, and I've been struggling in the Hallmark section of the market because the cards are just horrible. They are either sappily over the top or downright insulting.  

I want to tell my hubby I love him in a way that won't induce diabetic shock nor make him feel unloved and unappreciated. And I know he is having a similar dilemma, because he gets me the same card every year (Okay, nearly every year). It's the only non insult, sugar-free card they have at Von's.

But I have to admit, when it comes to Valentine gifting, I'm pretty easy to shop for. Sure, jewelry is always nice, but I'm the parent of two teenagers, so I get that our family is short on disposable income right now. Flowers are always nice, and while it seems I have a deep love of chocolate embedded in my DNA, I need a pound of See's Candy like I need a hole in my head.  

So what is my weakness? I think a meal cooked by the man I love is a sexy-beast turn on. Oh come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about. We scrub, we clean, we cook and entertain. Sometimes it's nice for that special someone in our lives to put on an apron, a smile and little else, and serve us like the goddesses we are.

My husband has cooked for me exactly three times in the 23 years I've known him. 1. Salsa Lamb Chops (the "damn that girl's hot and I want to impress her while we are dating meal"), 2. Yogurt and a bagel (the "you just gave birth to our first child and I want you to stop crying meal"), and 3. Scrambled eggs and turkey bacon (the "we are on vacation and even though the room has a kitchenette, I made a blood oath promise to you, my beloved, that I wouldn't make you use it everyday we are on vacation" meal). All of them were memorable. Clearly, the gift that keeps on giving.

I have a dear friend who is deeply and madly in love with her husband. They have been together forever, yet they behave like newlyweds. She could be someone's grandma for crying out loud, and it's almost embarrassing to go out with them in public with all that hand-holding, kissing and mutual PDA's. She loves to tell me that she knew her hubby was "the one," because he cooked for her on their first date. How right she was. He's smart, he's talented, he's funny, he's handsome and he clinched the deal by cooking for her. He made her quiche. And he still makes it for her after all these years.

I can't resist the pun. Quiche the one you love for Valentine's Day, and enjoy the love and affection of your sweetheart.

Simple Quiche Lorraine

Ingredients

• 1 9 inch single crust pie
• 6 -8 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream or half-and-half (whole milk will work too)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• dash of cayenne (optional)
• 1 TBS flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (230 degrees C). Cover pie crust with foil. Bake in oven for 7 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until crust is firm and just toasty. Remove from oven.  Reset over to 325 degrees F.
2. In a large cooking skillet, cook bacon until well done and crisp. Drain.  Reserve the grease to cook the onions or use olive oil. Let bacon cool and then crumble into a prep bowl. Cook onion in bacon grease or olive oil; cook until onion is tender.  Drain and cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix cream, eggs and salt and pepper. Beat well until light and fluffy. Add bacon and onion. 
4. In a separate bowl, combine cheese and flour together and toss until well coated.  Add to egg mixture and combine. Pour into your pie crust.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it as oven temperatures vary (as do the size of your eggs) so don't be afraid to peek through the door.
6. You can cover the edges of the pie crust with foil if it starts to get too brown for your liking.
7.  Let stand for a few minutes before serving.