Sausage Quiche

This is absolute breakfast perfection. Comes out perfect every time and it's customizable. Make this for friends in the morning, or bring to brunch - it will be a hit!!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 of a pound (or 1 pound if like heavier meat) mild Italian sausage

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 6 thinly sliced mini peppers

• 1 big handful of spinach

• 1 stalk (usually has two stems on it) of scallion

• 6 large eggs

• 1/4 cup half and half / heavy cream

• Cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 1/2 cups) equal to an entire bag of shredded cheese (sometimes I use half Pepperjack)

• 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

• (1) 9 inch frozen pie crust (I typically use Pillsbury)

• Salt and pepper

• Parsley/scallion for garnish

• Butter or olive oil to sautee veggies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Bring out the pie crust to defrost if it was in the freezer (if totally frozen, it will take at least 45 min - I leave on top of the stove to help the process) and prep and get everything ready in meantime.

3. Put a little olive oil in the pan, and add the sausage. This takes about 10 minutes on medium-high heat. As it is browning make sure to break it up into small bits. Add the hot pepper flakes and a good amount of black pepper.

4. Once the sausage has gotten going, slice the mini peppers thin and put into the frying pan with the sausage. Add more pepper and a little salt. Sauté these the rest of the time until the sausage is done.

5. Once it is all browned and done, pour all of it into a large mixing bowl. Use a slotted spoon if there is a lot of grease.

6. Next, add the baking powder to the sausage and peppers and stir. Then grab a handful of spinach and put in the bowl and mix around.

7. Whisk your 6 eggs with the half and half (or cream) with pepper and some more hot pepper flakes and add to the bowl.

8. Next, add all the cheese to the bowl. (Grating your own is worth it!!)

9. Cut the scallions and throw half in the bowl, and leave half for garnish later

10. Add pinch salt and pepper then mix everything well (we want each bite to have all the yumminess)!

11. Line the pie tray with the crust - then I like to crack some black pepper onto the bottom of the pie crust before pouring over the beautiful filling!

12. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes -- or until the filling is set. I usually bake 30 then turn up to broil to get a little bit of color on the top. Everyone's oven is different though - so make sure to keep an eye on it!! Mine is 30 on the dot!

13. Use the parsley and scallion for garnish. Serve and ENJOY this amazing creation!

XOXO, Chef Em