Category: Gluten Free Dinner Ideas

Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

Look at this beautiful platter of roasted chicken!  I definitely had big eyes when I was shopping for chicken breasts, they were much bigger than I imagined, so huge and meaty!  Enough for dinner with leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

It can be a challenge to cook chicken breast without drying it out.  That’s why bone in, skin on chicken breasts are a great choice for roasting.  The butter and herb rub gives the chicken a nice, crispy skin and helps retain moisture.  Size matters for cook time, so be sure to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature.

I used fresh herbs from my garden to make the herb butter.  The minced sage, thyme and rosemary pair so well with poultry.  If using dried herbs, reduce the quantity to 1 tbsp.

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The roasting pan you see in the pictures was my mother’s.  Never used, still in the package when I inherited it over 35 years ago, it’s still going strong.  No doubt it came from one of her beloved catalogs that were popular back in the day.  If you are looking for something similar, here’s one that you can order from Amazon.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 sweet onion
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 carrots
  • 4 whole chicken breasts
  • 5 oz. butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. fresh herbs, minced (I used sage, rosemary and thyme)
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning (I like this one)
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350º and mist the roasting pan and rack with cooking spray.  Arrange the aromatics (onion, celery and carrots) in the bottom of the pan.  Place the rack in the pan.

Combine the softened butter, olive oil, minced herbs and Italian seasoning and mash together with a fork.  Rub the mixture over the chicken breasts and top each with a slice of lemon.  Place the chicken breasts on the rack.

Add one cup of water to the bottom of the pan and roast uncovered for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170º (again, use a thermometer).

Transfer to a serving dish and serve.

Notes ♪♫ Don’t discard all those goodies in the bottom of the pan.  I like to toss it all into a pot with the chicken bones to make soup stock.  Nothing goes to waste, and you get a second meal!

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Gluten Free Cannelloni with Béchamel

Did you ever spend the better part of a day working on a recipe, and think you may never make it again?  Because it’s too much work?  That’s how I was feeling as I worked on this dish – until I took that first bite.  Oh, my goodness, this was absolutely divine!

Cannelloni con Besciamella – Cannelloni with Béchamel is a labor-intensive dish that is well worth the time and effort, it is swoon worthy!  Recipes like this one are a wonderful way to pass a Sunday afternoon.  For those who can’t spend all that time, I have broken down the recipe into four steps, some of which can be made ahead.  So, whether you go for the entire recipe or spread it over 2 days, I’ve got you covered.  Also, see notes at the end for shortcuts!

8 Servings

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The pasta dough was made with Better Batter Original Blend, and I used my KitchenAid pasta roller attachment to roll out the sheets of fresh pasta.

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THE STEPS

1. the Marinara        2. the Filling        3. the Pasta        4. the Béchamel

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Step 1 – Make the marinara sauce (can be made ahead)

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan.  Add the onion and garlic and cook 2 minutes on low heat.  Add the tomato paste in the center of the pan.  Let it toast for a minute then stir it all together.

Add the tomatoes, seasoning, sugar and red pepper flakes.

Cover and simmer on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  I like to use a simmer mat, so the bottom doesn’t burn.  Toward the end of cooking, use a stick blender to process into a sauce.

Step 2 – Make the filling (can be made ahead)

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 1/2 sweet onion, divided use
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1 small celery stalk
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 tsp. tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1/3 cup beef stock
  • 1 tsp. arrowroot flour
  • 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
  • 2/3 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tsp. fresh grated orange zest

Cut half of the sweet onion into small dice (about 1/3 cup).  Add the olive oil to a stainless-steel skillet on medium low heat.  Cook the diced onion and ground pork, breaking up the meat with a spatula.

Add the wine and continue cooking slowly, stirring frequently until most of the liquid evaporates.

Mince the carrot, celery and remaining onion in an electric chopper.

Add the minced veggies to the pork and stir well.

Make a spot in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste.  Let it toast for a minute before stirring it into the pork and veggies.

Add the broth with salt to taste.

Sprinkle the arrowroot evenly over the mixture and stir it in.  Simmer on low until the filling has thickened.  Stir in the baby spinach.  The filling should be moist, but not watery.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in the orange zest and parmesan.  Set it aside while you make the pasta and béchamel.

Step 3 – Make the pasta

Combine 140 g. flour and salt.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the eggs and olive oil together.  Add the flour mixture and beat with the paddle attachment for 5 minutes to form a soft dough.

Bring the dough together and sprinkle with more flour, then wrap in plastic wrap.  Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.

Divide the dough into 4 sections and work with one piece at a time.  Begin feeding it through the pasta roller, starting with the thickest setting.  Pass it through several times, adding more flour as needed, then begin increasing the roller setting each time until you have a sheet that is thin without tearing the dough.

For this recipe, setting 3 on a KitchenAid pasta roller attachment is the perfect thickness.  Repeat with each section and lay the sheets on floured parchment or wax paper.

Cut each section into 5-6″ pieces.

Step 4 – Make the Béchamel

  • 1-1/2 tbsp. butter
  • 1-1/2 tbsp. arrowroot flour
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup stock (chicken, beef or vegetable)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a small nonstick saucepan.  Whisk in the arrowroot flour and cook 2-3 minutes over low heat, whisking constantly.

Drizzle in the milk, cream and broth and whisk continuously until thickened.  Season with salt and pepper.  Keep warm.

Assemble!

Finally!  The hard work is done, and it’s time to assemble.  Preheat the oven to 400º.

Coat a casserole dish with cooking spray.  Ladle enough marinara to cover the bottom of the pan, and top with a few ladles of Béchamel.

Spoon the filling evenly onto each section of pasta.

Roll each section into a cylinder and arrange the bundles in a single layer, seam side down in the casserole dish.

Spread the remaining sauce over the cannelloni, then top with more Béchamel.  Be sure that all of the pasta is generously covered with the sauce, including the edges.  Sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese and cover the dish with foil.

Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

As the pasta bakes it will absorb liquid and thicken the sauce.  The filling is delicious and moist.  Garnish with fresh basil and dig in!

Notes:

♪ I won’t tell if you use a gluten free jar sauce (wink!).

♫ Use a wine that you can/would drink.  Do NOT use cooking wine!

♪♫ Don’t skip the fresh orange zest.  It adds a subtle burst of amazing flavor to the finished dish!

♫♫ Homemade pasta is fabulous, but if you’re not up to the task, try to find fresh gluten free lasagna sheets such as Taste Republic.  You will need about 8 lasagna sheets for this recipe.  Lay them out on floured parchment and cut each sheet in half.  I do not recommend using dry pasta in this recipe, as it needs to be cooked in advance in order to roll properly and will not absorb enough liquid, resulting in a soggy finished dish.

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Fajitas with Spanish Rice

Fajitas are easily adapted to the gluten free diet, since most of the ingredients are naturally gluten free!  Steak, peppers and onions cooked stovetop on the griddle with a side of Spanish Rice.  I served it all with gluten free corn tortillas, salsa and sliced fresh mango.

You have probably seen fajitas traditionally cooked and served in a cast iron pan like this one.  They make a great presentation, coming to the table with a sizzle.  But – if you don’t have one, or if like me you can’t lift cast iron pans anymore, it’s perfectly fine to use a nonstick griddle or skillet to cook this fun meal.

I mixed up my own seasoning blend for this recipe.  I always have a large collection of individual spices on hand, so I can blend together just enough for a specific meal with nothing wasted.  Another benefit is that I can adjust the flavors to my liking.  More heat?  Add more chipotle.  Don’t like cumin?  Just leave it out.  You get the idea.

For my friends who love spicy food, you are going to want to make this meal!  I loved the Spanish rice.  Considering I make rice several times a week, this was a nice change from my usual preparation.

4 servings

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Ingredients:

Seasoning:

  • 1 tsp. crushed chipotle chili flakes
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Fajitas:

  • 3/4 lb. sirloin, skirt steak or flank steak, sliced thin
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin
  • 1 lime, half juiced and half for serving
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • gluten free tortillas for serving
  • salsa, for serving (this one is my favorite)
  • fresh mango, for serving (optional, my favorite!)

Preparation:

Combine the spices and mix well.

Add the sliced peppers and onions to a medium bowl with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. of the spice blend.

In a separate bowl, toss the beef strips with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. of the spice blend.

Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet and warm the tortillas, about 30 seconds per side.  Remove to a plate and keep warm.

Add the peppers and onions to the griddle and cook to crisp tender, stirring occasionally.

Push the veggies to the back of the griddle and add the meat.  Cook quickly about 1 minute per side.

Toss with the peppers and onions and squeeze the juice from 1/2 lime over the top.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with the tortillas, lime wedges, rice and salsa.

Spanish Rice Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 tbsp. minced bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp. tomato sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. fajita seasoning (from above)

Preparation:

In a small saucepan, combine olive oil, onion and bell pepper and cook over medium low heat until the onions are translucent.  Stir in the rice, tomato sauce and chicken broth.  Cover and cook 15 minutes.  Garnish with cilantro.

Notes ♪♫ Truth be told, I was not a fan of the store-bought gluten free tortillas.  Next time I will make them myself, but that’s another blog post!  Sometimes you need a shortcut, right?  And this dinner was a success in every other way. 🙂

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Sausage Stuffed Turkey Rolls

Italian sausage, crumbled with celery and panko, all rolled up in thin sliced turkey cutlets.  This was one of my favorite meals of late.  A bit reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner, minus the 20 side dishes but still nice enough to serve to guests!

For this recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients, and buying thin sliced turkey cutlets makes the prep easy.  I like the 4-pack from Shady Brook Farms, available at local grocers like Stop & Shop, and Perdue also has a similar product available at Walmart.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. thin sliced turkey breast cutlets (4 cutlets)
  • 6 oz. Italian Sausage (2 links)
  • 1 small celery stalk, minced
  • 1/4 cup gluten free panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Heat olive in a stainless-steel skillet and begin cooking the sausage and celery, breaking up the meat with a spatula.

Brown the meat (it does not have to be cooked through), then transfer to an electric chopper and pulse a few times to further break down the meat into small crumbles.

Return to the skillet to finish cooking.  Stir in the panko breadcrumbs and set aside to cool.

Lay the turkey cutlets on a baking sheet or flat work surface.

Spread the sausage mixture over the turkey cutlets and roll them up, securing with toothpicks.  Wipe the skillet clean.  Add a little more olive oil and begin browning the cutlets starting with the seam side down.

Continue turning to quickly brown on all sides.  Do not cook through, they will finish in the oven.

Mist a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375º.  If you had any extra sausage stuffing, spread it in the bottom of the dish.  Add the turkey rolls.

Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160º (check with a thermometer).

Serve with a side of wild rice and Mushroom Sauce or Turkey Gravy.

Notes ♪♫ The mushroom sauce that I spooned over the turkey rolls came out so good that I thought it deserved its own post.  Who knew?  Get the recipe here!

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Gluten Free Meatloaf Ramekins

Look at these cute little ramekins!  They can elevate the humblest of meals to dinner party status!  Gluten Free Meatloaf Ramekins are fun to make and perfectly portioned for kids, small plates and small appetites.

You can vary the veggies in this meatloaf to suit your taste.  I used onion, zucchini and bell pepper.  Unlike my other meatloaf recipes, this one contains no oats.  So, if you can’t have oats or are avoiding them for the time being, this one is for you!

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Servings: 4 ramekins

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Heat olive oil in a small skillet and sauté the veggies until they have released their liquid and reduced to about 1/3 cup.  Season to taste.

Transfer to a bowl to cool (so you don’t cook the egg).

When cooled, whisk in the ketchup followed by the egg and more seasoning.

Next add the beef, working it in with your hands.  Gradually add the potato flakes and breadcrumbs and combine well.

Mist the ramekins with cooking spray and place them in a square baking dish.  This will make them easier to handle when going in and out of the oven.

Divide the meatloaf mixture between the 4 ramekins.  Top with ketchup and smooth the tops with a fork.

Bake at 375º for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 150º (check with a thermometer).

Serve with ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce (my favorite is Stubbs Smokey Mesquite).

Notes ♪♫ Love ramekins?  Check out my Shepherd’s Pie Ramekins and Ramekin Stuffing cups!

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Barramundi with Lemon Butter Sauce

The price of seafood has increased so much in the last few years!  No wonder I am always on the lookout for a bargain, especially in the frozen section.

That’s where this caught my eye, a 12 oz. package of Barramundi Fillets for less than $10, perfect for seafood night!

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Also known as Asian Sea Bass, this white fish has a firm but delicate texture and a mild, sweet taste.  The wine-lemon-butter sauce really brings out the flavor of this fish without overpowering it.  It can be pan cooked or oven baked in under 30 minutes!

Dinner for two

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Melt 1 tbsp. butter in a nonstick grill pan or skillet.  Add the fillets, season with Old Bay and cook 5 minutes.

Turn the fish over.  Add the remaining 1 tbsp. butter, wine and juice of 1/2 lemon to the pan.  Cook 5 minutes longer.

Oven Preparation:

Alternately, you can add the fillets, seasoning, wine, lemon and butter to a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes at 400º.

To plate, sprinkle with a little more Old Bay and garnish with fresh chives.  Here I served with short grain brown rice and sugar snap peas.

Notes ♪♫ You do not need an array of seasonings or sauces for most seafood dishes.  Keep it simple and let the flavor of the fish take the spotlight.  If you are making a seafood dish and don’t know what seasoning to use, just sprinkle with Old Bay, it is a natural for seafood and has been around (and gluten free) since 1939.

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Ginger Bok Choy Egg Drop Soup

This Asian inspired soup is just the thing for a light dinner or first course.  If you love Egg Drop Soup, you will love this adaptation that combines the best of Egg Drop and Ginger Bok Choy.  Only a few ingredients are needed, and since it does not require all day simmering you can throw it together after work.  Stir in a beaten egg and rice noodles just before serving and it’s ready to eat!

This was quite a bit different than my usual soups, but the recipe is a keeper!  So good for those chilly nights, or when you’re feeling under the weather.

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4 servings

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Heat 1 tsp. sesame oil and 1 tsp. olive oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven.  Mince the garlic and ginger (I used an electric chopper) and add to the pot.  Cook for 30 seconds then add the sliced mushrooms.

Stir until the mushrooms release their liquid, then add the bone broth, 2 tsp. of tamari and 1 tsp. sesame oil (or more, to taste).  Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.

Trim away the tough, lower part of the Bok choy, then rinse and halve the leaves.  Stir them into the soup to wilt and lower the heat to keep warm.

Cook the rice noodles in a separate pan according to package directions.  Just prior to serving, drizzle the beaten egg into the soup and swirl it around with a whisk.  Add the cooked rice noodles.

Ladle into bowls and serve with Chow Mein noodles for texture (optional), or a simple garnish of green onions if you want to keep it simple.

Notes ♪♫ I love these extra wide rice noodles from A Taste of Thai.  I was able to find them locally, but if not available in your area you can get them here at Amazon.  I use Coconut Aminos in my Asian recipes, but if you are not limiting salt, try Gluten Free Tamari.

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Gluten Free Gnocchi with Sausage

Homemade Gnocchi are my favorite pasta to prepare on a Sunday afternoon.  There is something soothing about rolling these dumplings one by one.  The joy only continues when it is time to eat!

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My long-time readers know that I am a huge fan of Better Batter.  You have all heard me sing the praises of their Artisan Flour Blend, for making yeasted bread and pizza.  But did you know, it also makes the most wonderful pasta?  Yes, this beautiful tray of gnocchi was made with the flour that I call my little miracle in a bag!

When you shop Better Batter and use my code MGFC30 at checkout, you will receive 30% off any non-sale item!

Paired with a simple sauce we had a wonderful Sunday dinner for two.

Ingredients:

  • 120g. Better Batter Artisan Flour Blend
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp. egg whites
  • 1-1/2 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. water
  • ——————————-
  • 2 Italian sausage links, sliced into coins
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil

Preparation:

  1. Combine the first 6 ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer (flour through water).  Beat with the paddle attachment to form a soft dough.
  2. Bring the dough into a ball, and cover with plastic wrap.  Rest at room temperature 20 minutes.
  3. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and dust with gluten free flour.  Place the dough ball on a floured cutting board and divide into 4 pieces.
  4. Working with 1 section at a time, roll the dough into a long rope, 1/2″ thick.  Cut the rope into 3/4″ pieces and roll each piece over a floured gnocchi board or fork.
  5. Place the formed gnocchi on the baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to cook.

For the sauce, add olive oil to a stock pot or deep skillet and begin cooking the onions, until translucent.  Add the sausage coins and brown on both sides.  Next add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.  Add the tomato sauce, basil and oregano.  Simmer 30 minutes.

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.  Add the gnocchi and cook for 3 minutes.  Fresh pasta cooks quickly, don’t overcook!

Drain the pasta and add to the sauce, tossing well to incorporate.

Serve with grated cheese.

Notes ♪♫ Love gnocchi?  There are so many ways to make it!  Check out this Gluten Free Gnocchi with Chicken and Roasted Cauliflower.  Or how about Potato Gnocchi with Cassava Flour?  Or, if you love sweet potato, check out this Sweet Potato Gnocchi made with white and sweet potato!

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Gluten Free Baked Stuffed Shrimp

This 5-star entrée has all the makings of a romantic dinner for two.  Dine like a king and queen with this old restaurant favorite made right in your own kitchen, minus the gluten!  The addition of crab meat to the butter and cracker crumb stuffing makes it really special!

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Dinner for two

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400º.  Mist a baking dish with cooking spray.  Melt butter in a small saucepan and set aside.

Combine the crab meat, garlic powder, Old Bay, and cracker crumbs with 2 tbsp. of butter in a small bowl.

Rinse the shrimp under cold water and remove the shells.  Drain and pat dry.

Lay each shrimp on its side, and run a paring knife along the backside, be careful not to cut all the way through.  Open the shrimp and lay on a clean plate or cutting board.

Remove the dark vein running down the center of the shrimp.

Mound the crab stuffing onto each shrimp.

Arrange the shrimp in the baking dish and drizzle the remaining 2 tbsp. butter over the top.  Sprinkle with more Old Bay seasoning, bake for 15 minutes and serve.

This is a filling entrée!  Three shrimp each with a side salad and rice would make a wonderful meal.  Make it tonight for your special someone!

Notes ♪♫ For a hearty dinner size portion, choose colossal shrimp (8-12 count).  I always look for sales in the frozen section and stock up when I can.  Thaw in the refrigerator and rinse under cold water to remove the shells.

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Gluten Free Zucchini and Prosciutto Quiche

Making a gluten free quiche has been on my recipe bucket list for a long time.  This week I finally did it!  The filling is a savory blend of zucchini, prosciutto, mushrooms and Gruyere cheese.  I still can’t believe how tasty it was.

Of course, the foundation of a good quiche is the pie crust.  If you missed my earlier post on how to make an easy, gluten free pie crust you can check it out here.

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350º.

Roll your pie dough into a circle, using your pie dish as a guide.  You want the dough to fit into the pie dish with a little extra to fold under and crimp.

Carefully lift the dough and place in your pie dish.

Trim the excess (can be used to patch any cracks or holes), fold the edges under and crimp.

Because the filling is made with heavy, wet ingredients, you will need to blind bake (pre-bake) the crust for 10 minutes to keep it from getting soggy.  Be sure to weigh down the crust down to keep the bottom from puffing up.  You can cover the crust with parchment and use beans or pie weights.  Or you can try this gadget, it works like a charm and it’s so easy to remove and clean!

While the crust is baking prepare the filling.  Cut the zucchini and mushrooms into thin slices and chop the whites of the scallions into 1/4″ pieces.  Grate the cheese and tear the prosciutto into small pieces.

Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a nonstick skillet, add all of the veggies and sprinkle with seasoning.

Cook the veggies until they have released their liquid and reduced to about 1 cup.  Transfer to a colander to cool and drain.

Take the partially cooked pie crust out of the oven after 10 minutes and remove the pie weight.

To finish the filling, beat the eggs and milk.  Stir in the drained veggies, 3/4 cup of cheese and the prosciutto.  Add about 8 grinds of fresh ground pepper.

Pour the filling into the prepared crust and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese.

Place the quiche on the center rack of your oven.  I put a cookie sheet underneath, to keep the bottom from getting over cooked.  Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top is set, and edges of the crust are well browned.

Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes ♪♫ We had this quiche for dinner, and reheated leftovers for lunch the next day.  Like any pie, the number of servings will depend on your appetite, somewhere between 4-8 wedges.  It was delicious and would be an amazing addition to your brunch menu!

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