Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A cheddar-goat-chese-quiche washed down with buttermilk raspberry cake

"It's not as bad as it looks? It's not as bad as pepperoni? Pepperoni's beef trim. It's pork trim. It's worse than meat! It wishes it were meat!"

And so goes the delightful food-centric play Food for Thought by playwright Rich Rubin that I had the honor of directing for the Lakeshore Players Ten-Minute Play Festival. The producer somehow thought I would be a good match for a play about a vegetarian-all organic woman and the boyfriend who "cheats" on her with pepperoni pizza and Twinkies. ("It was just a one-time thing. It didn't mean anything. I didn't even enjoy it all that much.") Food and theatre combined this month to do damage to my waistline. (And the truth is, I revelled in it all - the waistline blip, the play festival and the time spent with the play and my actors.) 



Whether I'm directing shenanigans with Hansel and Gretel and the Gingerbread House or figuring out how to create a 20 scoop ice cream cone for the grade school play or doling out Mars Bars and Milky Ways for the teen play about the moon landing, I have found my theatre life awash with food and my food life filled with temptations. And a few times when I came home late enough that I was morphing into a pumpkin, I had this "cheddar goat cheese with ramps" quiche waiting. Flirting. Beckoning. And I succumbed.  As did everyone in the family.



Inspired by Floriole's Cafe in Chicago, I didn't bother with the crust - I was just mad for the filling. But if you're a "crusty" person - have it your way! Husband-person who long ago decided he was a "real man who didn't eat quiche," gave in to the charms of the cheddar goat cheese and mellow spring ramps. I trust that you will, too.

Cheddar Goat Cheese Quiche with Spring Ramps
Ingredients
  • 1 cup grated or shredded cheddar goat cheese
  • 3/4 cup spring ramps - chopped into 1/4" pieces
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1-3/4 cups of half and half, or a mixtrure of cream and milk or just milk
  • 4 eggs
  • salt and white pepper to taste

  
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch pie or quiche pan. Sautee ramps in butter until softened (about 4 minutes.) Drain ramps on a paper towel. Whisk eggs and cream until combined. Gently stir in  cheese and ramps. Salt and pepper to taste. Pout into prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes (until center puffs up). Cool 5-10 minutes. Carefully slide crustless quiche onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature. It's summer - bask in the ease.


Of Muses and Meringues had a buttermilk-raspberry cake that was so light, so tender, so fluffy, I was sure it had no calories. I was wrong but let me say, it was worth it! Since toddler-hood I have been a raspberry worshiper, appreciater and lover. When husband and son were off doing the MS150 (so proud!), I was digging holes in the ground for raspberry bushes because we finally have a new sunny patch in our yard. And I will make a beeline for those berries when they come in - warding off the birds - just as I did when I was two.


Find the recipe here.It has everything you want in a summer recipe: ease, freshness, a lightness of being and the sweet without the cloying. And the bonus - you'll love Beth's blog. It's a promise.


Summer is both fertile ground for new creations and recipes that spotlight an ingredient with little fuss. Fuss in the winter.



Savor in the summer.



50 comments:

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You have an amazing amount of energy, Claudia! I just know that your play participants must adore you!

I love the quiche! I'm not sure I can find spring ramps but I bet asparagus would taste equally good.

The buttermilk raspberry cake looks divine! I have one respberry bush growing in a large pot in my backyard just so I can eat some fresh berries. :)

chow and chatter said...

oh great quiche and love that idea for a play he h

art is in the kitchen said...

Oh Claudia, what a wonderful post this is. It's theatrical, sweet and beautiful! Never enjoyed it so much! Ramps are a rare commodity in my neck of the woods and the peonies are not in bloom. I would just have to visit your post again and again. Cheers!!!

Proud Italian Cook said...

You're amazing Claudia! You're constantly creating at work and in your kitchen. I see smiling faces all around you!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I love the idea of the play - the lines about cheating on the vegetarian spouse with the meat dishes - too funny - and of course the food is worth expanding the waistline for too - I'd also say you have beautiful peonies and a real man there who does eat quiche Claudia.

Mary Bergfeld said...

You are fey my friend and I mean that in the very nicest sense of the word. It is always a pleasure to visit here. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Anne said...

I see your creation in the kitchen and that is amazing. I have tried some of them with rave reveiws. I can only imagine that your play participants give you rave reviews as well.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I'm in awe of all you do, Claudia! And that you have time to bake a delicious cake and quiche! Brava!

Saji said...

Wow this is so delicious!!!

That Girl said...

I read the beginning and laughed because pepperoni was one of the first things to go when I became pregnant! I just couldn't justify subjecting my unborn to all those nitrates and sat fats!

Beth said...

That play sounds terrific. What amazing lines! I'm sure you did it great justice.

And thanks for the link, and the nice comments about my blog. I'm so glad you liked that cake. It's one of my favorite desserts, and I'm not even really a cake person. And like you, I can almost convince myself it has no calories.

Mister Meatball said...

I'm a big crust person, yeah, but some fillings are good enough to go without. This looks like one of them. "Course, can't say for sure til somebody sends me a taste. Just sayin.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

you are so talented this is great! I can see everyone smiling around you! Your amazing in the kitchen~ Would love have a taste this looks great!

Anna C said...

Claudia, it sounds like such a delightful play. You are a real trooper,allowing your waistline to suffer for the sake of art. Although from the looks of these yummy creations, it was well worth it.

Reeni said...

Yes, please! To that amazing quiche and the light and fluffy cake. I can't think of anything I want more than BOTH of these right now. I think you're nothing short of amazing!

Reeni said...

For all you do! xoxo

My Little Space said...

All the best to your play....minus the food! ha... But I think both the quiche & cake are really inviting though. Btw, the flower is stunning. thanks for showing it.
Hope you're enjoying yourself.
Blessings, Kristy

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Where do you find the energy Claudia. I really admire that you can do so many creative things all at the same time.

I'll take a quiche, with or without a crust, any day.

Loved the play and especially the line about the spouse cheating on the vegetarian wife. Very clever and though provoking.
Sam

Emily Malloy said...

This looks so wonderful.

Angie's Recipes said...

HAHA@'real man who didn't eat quiche'...who could ever resist a good cheddar goat cheese treat? Raspberry buttermilk cake looks so inviting too.

Heather S-G said...

Fuss in the winter, Savor in the summer...I love it!! That play sounds like a lot of fun =) And so does eating this mouthwatering quiche and washing it down with that berry-studded cake. Mmmm....

Mari Nuñez said...

Claudia, congratulations on your lovely blog award!!! Your salmon steak looks absolutely mouthwatering, needless to say the raspberry cake has me head over heels.

It's been quite pleasing visiting you today :)

Catherine said...

Hi Claudia, It is so true food is the center of the universe. It is the language that needs no translation. The time and love put into the meal is revealed and a smile comes to the faces of those around you. Therefore the love has been expressed.
It is o.k. that you have succumbed to the temptations of the "quiche"! It looks delish! The cake does look perfect for summer. I am sure that was delicious also. Have a wonderful and blessed day to you. Catherine xo

Monet said...

This seems like such the perfect summer meal to me...I saw Beth's cake, and I'm so glad that you made it. Yours turned out just lovely! Now if only I could see your play...Thank you for sharing such yummy photos and this tasty recipe. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

fromBAtoParis said...

I would love to see one of your plays...and as Oscar Wilde said: "the best way to overcome temptation is to yield to it...so I yield to both your preparations!!

miri leigh said...

Ok...goat cheese.....yummy...I will be making this very soon. Thanks for posting.

Cheah said...

Just hop over from Kristy's blog. How I envy you with homegrown berries, back here in Malaysia, imported berries are super expensive, except for our local strawberries from the Cameron Higlands. Have a lovely Sunday!

Angela said...

Yum. Beautiful, summery recipes.

Jen_from_NJ said...

You are so talented Claudia! I love the quiche and the cake - both right up my alley!

FOODESSA said...

It's become quite apparent that your talents and creativity have come full circle. I'm thrilled about how you're enjoying it all.

Claudia, you are a great example for us all. Living your life the best way you are...especially with a touch of dessert...is, well, la dolce vita! Waistlines don't matter this week. LOL

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Fresh Local and Best said...

I'd love to see one of your plays one day. I like the premise of Food for Thought. I think we've all been in the shoes of the boyfriend.

That buttermilk-raspberry cake looks and sounds heavenly. These are the things I look forward to in the summer fresh berries, ramps, and beautiful flowers! Peonies are one of my favorites.

Sunanda said...

Dropped in your blog while blog hopping.. You got a wonderful space.. happy to follow you..

Sunanda's Kitchen

tasteofbeirut said...

Both the quiche and the cake look splendid! Love the quiche especially!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Claudia, I am just so amazed at what you do and all of your talent, energy and dedication! I can see your talent in writing just from your blog alone! And oh this quiche looks scrumptious and the raspberry cake is making me drool like my dogs! Thank you for all that you do for the arts!

Barbara said...

Summer is for savoring, Claudia! That quiche is beckoning me. And I think I know how I am going to use my garlic ramps that are ready for picking. I am seduced and willing to succumb to that raspberry cake - gladly, I surrender! (And your peonies are sublime. Mine are all gone now; only lovely memories remain.) I love your new photo - you look great! Everything in moderation, right?

Sylvia said...

Love both , but the quiche sounds delicious, I'll must try it.

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh my goodness the food looks awesome!! I really like quiche ad this one looks wonderful.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I am so amazed and inspired by you, Claudia! The quiche and the cake would definitely be gobbled up in my house.

OysterCulture said...

I love a good quiche and have not had one in a long time. I need to fix that soon. The buttermilk raspberry cake sounds divine and together a combo made in heaven!

Jill Colonna said...

I love your post, Claudia. As ever, injected with humour and great recipes. I love the "husband-person" who gave in. No wonder, with this quiche! That raspberry cake does look ever so light and so pretty with these pivoines flowers. Thanks for such a cheery post!

Island Vittles said...

I love the idea of a man cheating on a woman with twinkies! A very topical conflict these days...there are so many "blended" families (meaning vegans & meat eaters) these days...your filling looks delicious...I am one of the so-called "crust people" so I think I'll go make some pastry right now...Theresa

purabi naha said...

Is a quiche so appealing? It looks so by the vivid photographs displayed here! I think I better try it now. Looks too droolworthy!

spcookiequeen said...

Claudia,
Who could count when such a lovely cake was staring back at them from the plate. As long as it was a one time thing, I'm sure all was forgiven. Hoping you enjoy your holiday weekend.
-Gina-

purabi naha said...

I loved this dish and its uniqueness. Your recipes are fabulous and inviting and would love to visit here again for more. Happy blogging!!

Chris's Gourmet Fashion said...

I'd love to watch one of your plays - but for now that quiche looks really tastey - hope you have a great 4th.

That's Ron said...

lovely....so unique!

Biz said...

I can't even remember the last time I made a quiche with a crust, that way I can have more cheese!

Looks delicious!

Two fit and fun gals said...

the raspberry cake looks delicious!!

Claudia said...

The wonder of quiche is that it loves substitutions. I certainly would play with spinach.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A delicious quiche and fabulous cake! Wonderful summer food.

Cheers,

Rosa