Why do I have a picture of my kid on a blog post for a recipe? Any blog-reader knows you CAN'T post a recipe without pictures...heck, I waste all the time I should be posting, reading all of my food blogs that I follow...yum! So, back to the pictures...I didn't take any photos of these quiche cups, I contemplated taking a picture of them this AM as I sat at my office desk, but for some reason the glare of the computer monitor and the Styrofoam plate I was eating them on just didn't scream delicious! And they are just that...delicious. So! Instead, you get a few pictures of my pretty girl helping me cook the other night :o)
It was a rare treat for both of us, for Addy, she got to stay up later than Brother (who, on a side-note, hasn't slept well AT ALL since the time change, so it's best for all of us if he's asleep by 7:45-ish...doesn't happen every night, but we're trying!), she had my un-divided attention and didn't have to share the spotlight or throw elbows to get a chance to help me cook
For me, it was a chance to spend some one on one time with my Addy Grace, just the two of us, without the bickering back and forth that siblings that are ONLY 13 months apart seem to do ;o) We get that time with Chase during Addy's nap-time, but normally not with my ladybug. Addy is such a sweet, charismatic, smart and vibrant little girl, she (and her brother) amaze me every day!
OK, back to the quiche cups! These are adapted from the south beach diet (I just add more egg), and the great thing about them is that they pack a serious protein punch, with some veggies thrown in, and are only about 80-100 calories per serving (2 quiche cups!) We don't follow the no/low carb diet, and we typically supplement these with oatmeal or toast and yogurt.
CRUSTLESS SPINACH QUICHE CUPS
You will need:
1 box frozen spinach, thawed
1.5 cups egg-whites/substitutes or 6-8 eggs (the original recipe only calls for 3 eggs or 3/4 c substitute, I think they need more for the protein, and we use just the whites to keep the cholesterol down)
3/4 c shredded low-fat cheese (whatever you have on hand, I've used both cheddar and mozzarella and both are good)
1/4 c diced onion (I prefer red)
1/4 c diced bell peppers (I prefer red, green is fine too)
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce (or a good amount of dashes)
pinch of kosher salt
1) Preheat Oven to 350
2) Prepare a 12-muffin pan by inserting FOIL liners into each spot and spraying with
pam (this is a MUST or they will stick to the pan/liners)
3) drain thawed spinach to remove all water, I like to double up a paper towel, plop the spinach in the middle and squeeze the spinach into a ball, this works really well (if you microwave to thaw, be careful, the hot water will burn your hands when squeezing...trust me...I do it almost every time, you'd think I'd learn!)
4) Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl until well blended
5) Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop the mixture evenly (about 3/4 the way full) into your 12 muffin cups
6) Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, they will puff up a little bit in the oven
7) Cool for about 5 minutes and remove from the foil liners (which will be super easy b/c you sprayed them w/
pam) and pop into snack-sized baggies or small containers to throw into your bag/lunch etc
reheat in microwave for 20-30 seconds...they don't take long, you don't want to overcook them!
TIP: if you cut up a whole red onion and pepper, you will have 4 perfect 1/4 cup portions to store in the fridge/freezer for the next time you make these (since we both eat them, I tend to make a new batch at least twice a week for work)
Nutritional Information (pulled from original recipe...FYI each egg white contains 17 calories and 4g
protein, so I'd say 80-100 calories per serving and 14g protein):
77 calories
3 total fat (2 g sat)
10 mg cholesterol
3 g carbohydrate
9 g protein
2 g fiber
160 mg sodium
Addy happily joined in on the action (Note To Self: Get THIS girl potty-trained and 3, ASAP, she NEEDS to go to preschool to learn some sharing, manners, etc...Addy, Mommy Says CHILL...love you ladybug)
Chase worked very hard...we were very proud
He got to have an after art snack, while leaning on the counter...what, you don't climb onto a chair to hang out? The leg up on the back of the chair was killing us.
This picture was taken RIGHT before he put his hand down his pajama pants...seriously.
Here's to hoping everyone has a warm, safe and Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Addy on the whale
Chase on the whale, worried about where Ava was...she was "all the way" over on the opposite side of the ride and he couldn't see her...crush, anyone? :o)
