One of the things I forget in the winter, when I am longing for summer, is how very much work summer is.
Especially spring.
The grass grows in leaps and bounds; the garden needs to be planted, then hoed, weeded and watered frequently.
There are no longer excuses for countless little chores that have been put off because ‘it’s too cold’.
The work tapers off as summer progresses, but May and June are crazy. Maybe that’s why the days are so long – so we can get it all done!
So I thought I would share some calming photos of my Iris.
I can only claim them because we own the property. I had nothing whatsoever to do with the choosing or planing.
Actually, the front garden was such a mess last year, I didn’t even know I had them. I remember 1 purple iris blooming.
Once we cleared everything I realized that the iris were right in the middle of the lawn.
Couldn’t be bothered to do anything about them so we just mowed them down.
All summer
Aapparently they didn’t mind.
They’ve been blooming for the last month. I think, because it’s been so cold, they bloomed longer and more slowly then normal.
Speaking of cold – summer arrived yesterday…. Hot, sunny and wonderful!
This was my last quiche of the season….
Asparagus and Bacon Quiche
The Crust:
2/3 cup quick-cooking brown rice
1 1/3 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup shredded cheese (1oz, 30gr)
1 egg
The Filling:
5 – 6 slices (5oz, 150gr) bacon
7oz (200gr) asparagus
3oz (90gr) cherry tomatoes
5 green garlic
4oz (125gr) Gruyère cheese
3 eggs
1 cup milk
The crust: Cook brown rice in stock according to package directions. Can be done ahead or the day before. If rice is just cooked, spread it on a plate to cool for 5 minutes before adding to egg. Oil a 9″ (22 cm) pie or quiche plate. Lightly whisk 1 egg. Add 1/4 cup cheese and the cooked rice. Mix well. Pat into the quiche plate, working it up the sides as best you can. Bake in 400F (200C) oven for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
The filling: Trim asparagus, snapping off tough ends. Cut into 1″ (2.5cm) lengths. Heat water in a saucepan over high heat. When boiling, add asparagus and blanch for 3 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water. Dry on paper towels.
Sauté bacon until crisp. Remove and drain. Crumble. Remove all but 2 tsp fat from skillet. Slice green garlic, add to skillet and sauté until tender. Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Shred cheese.
In medium bowl whisk 3 eggs well. Add milk and whisk to combine.
To assemble: Spread bacon evenly over the bottom of the crust. Spread green garlic on bacon. Lay the asparagus on top. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with tomatoes, cut side down. Pour the egg mixture over all and bake for 30 minutes, 400F (200C). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Note: I put the quiche/pie plate on a pizza pan before pouring the egg/milk over. Makes it easier to get into the oven and catches any drips and spills – saving oven clean-up.
Hi Katie, I love Quiche, and I love Irises! Ours are just getting ready to bloom too, and I sooo understand about this time of year…I just came in from the garden having spent the last 5 hours out there working, weeding, planting….but I love that too! Ina
Spectacular irises and apparently they aren’t appealing to the bunnies. Throw some rocks around them – they would look beautiful blooming in a “dry river” of rocks…
Love irises! Planted a bunch at one end of a bed the first year we moved into this house. The bloomed gloriously for 10 years and then … were no more. I should plant them again.
Funny thing I’ve had my quiche pan out for 2 weeks … maybe I’ll just wait for winter now … but there is still asparagus …
The flowers are gorgeous and so is the quiche! Another great dish using asparagus that I will have to try!
I’m not quite sure why I can have so many chickens – 9 to 11 eggs a day! – and never think of making a quiche. Thank you for that beautiful reminder. Your irises are beautiful. What a treat that they showed up unexpectantly. I used to grow them by the bushel but where I live now, the slugs get them as soon as they put up new shoots. I’ve given up.
Ok, Anything with that name sounds yuckky to me, but after reading the ingredients and seeing the pictures, my mouth is watering!
Ina, al of a sudden there’s 10 times more to do every day!
Zoomie, thanks – great idea…. My problem with Iris is they are impossible to weed. Having them in the lawn allows me to just mow ;-))
Tanna, your quiche pan was speaking to you… listen to it!
Pam, thanks. Asparagus quiche = good!
Christine, all those chickens! I should get chickens…. I had lots of slugs and snails last year, but they don’e seem to be a problem this year. Maybe the bunnies ate them….
HowCookFoof – must give it a try…. change your opinion of quiche!