Inspired.

Recently I have taken the plunge...

...to buy a vitamix that is! ;) 

After eyeing them online and in stores for so long I finally got the courage (and money) to purchase one on Ebay for a super good price! Woohoo! I have been researching their usefulness for the past year and as you can imagine, my brain was 1. overwhelmed with excitement when it arrived and 2. overwhelmed with the possibility of things that this one kitchen appliance can help me make. In the package for the mixer came a lovely recipe book called "Creations". Normally, unless baking, I never use a recipe. I think it is a matter of my pride, but also that I just like to create/discover flavor profiles and techniques myself. It's a relaxing and quite fun! BUT being that I spent a good chunk of cash on this appliance, I wanted to avoid damaging it at all costs and so I decided to learn how to use it 'properly' and follow their recipes and steps to a tee. After a few days of getting comfortable with the machine, it was time to 'do my own thing'!

Just kidding.

The Creations recipe book has some really amazing and creative (go figure!) recipes, ones which I wanted to adapt and make my own. Which one to choose?! When in this situation, I tend to follow my stomachs' lead. My hunger and the challenge presented by making a quiche were good catalysts for adapting the quiche with brown rice crust recipe! (Here is the link to the original, unadapted version!)

 Here we go!

Brown Rice Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms and Fresh Veg

Crust:
2 cups brown rice (cooked)
1 cup egg whites
pinch of salt

Filling:
2 cups white mushrooms
1 medium red onion
1 tbsp olive oil
pinch of salt
1.5 tsp 1tbsp reduced sugar maple syrup (or 1 tsp brown sugar)
1.5 cup assorted broccoli slaw (or broken up whole)
2 cups baby spinach
1 large tomato
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tbsp paprika
1-1.5 cup egg whites
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or preferred milk)
fresh grated parmsean  (optional; to taste)

1. Preheat the oven to 350F

2. Mix cooked brown rice, pinch of salt and eggs whites together in mixing bowl. Make sure to stir constantly if adding recently cooked (and therefore hot) brown rice to egg whites because we don't want the white to cook before you coat the rice. 

3. Pour the rice mixture into non-stick pie plate (or one like with parchment paper). Use a silver rounded spoon to push the rice down along the bottom and then up the sides to create the perfect  'crust' shape.

4. Place in the oven for 10 minutes (until dry, but still a little moist- not dried out) 

5. Remove from and let cool while attend to the filling!

6. Wash and slice mushrooms. Rough chop onion. Add olive oil to pan (that you have a lid for) and place on high heat. Add mushrooms and onion to pan and then cover. Once moisture begins to leave the mushrooms and onions, a lot of steam will be created and it will help to rapidly soften them.  

7. After ~3-5 minutes (when the mushrooms/onions have shrunk a bit due to moisture loss), add the maple syrup for sweetness. (You can omit this step completely if you want as well- won't take away any deliciousness from the dish). Cover over again and leave for another few minutes (3-5)

8. Mix egg whites, almond milk, flour and paprika. Whisk together (it's okay if there are a few lumps, but do your best!)

9. Spread broccoli slaw evenly across brown rice crust. Follow with even layer of mushrooms and onions from the stovetop. Baby spinach next! 

10. Pour egg mixture evenly over the veggies in the crust

11. Slice one large tomato into rounds. Lay across the top of the quiche and place in oven (350F) for approximately 55-60 minutes. There will probably be a large bubble in the center of the quiche when you go to take it out, just pop that sucker!

12. Add freshly grated parmesan (to taste) and enjoy!

:) It's always a good idea to cook to some good tunes. Recently, I've been blasting Bethel Musics' Loft Sessions. If you don't know em', check them out- it's good stuff (I've hyperlinked the title to one of my favs!)

In the mood for more quiche? or a frittata? or an omlette? Er, wait..what's the difference?! 

Check it out here!