COUNTRY SAUSAGE QUICHE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven according to pie crust instructions. Unroll pie crust and gently press into a pie plate crimping the edges using your fingers. Poke crust with a fork and bake the crust for approximately 5 minutes just to get it started.
• 2. Meanwhile brown sausage in a medium skillet, drain on paper towel cool slightly. *I often use leftover chicken, roast beef, bacon bits, diced ham, sausage or a combination of two.
• 3. While sausage is cooling use the same skillet to add 1 T olive oil & saute 1 - 1 1/2C mixed veggies diced in uniform pieces. I used 1/4 diced onion, 1/4 diced yellow bell pepper, 3 T. sliced mushrooms, 1/2 small zucchini diced. Let cool slightly. *any combination works: Chicken & broccoli or ground beef, onion, black olive w/salsa are some favorites*
• 4. In a small mixing bowl combine eggs, half & half, red pepper flakes, mustard, garlic & onion powder, thyme, worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper and whisk really well. *using half & half (my favorite) or heavy cream makes this dish rich and decadent. Using milk just lightens this up a bit.
• 5. Layer into pie shell browned meat, veggies, 1/2 of the shredded cheese & gently pour egg mixture over everything. Cover crust with foil and remove last 10 minutes of baking time.
• 6. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes until middle is done. *I place the quiche on a large cookie sheet to avoid boil over/spills in my oven.
• 7. Remove from oven and top with remaining cheese and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is really good served room temperature too.