Chorizo Quiche

PREHEAT OVEN TO 450 DEGREES


CORNMEAL CRUST

• 1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cornmeal or masa
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup butter or shortening
• 4 Tlbsp. cold water [or more if needed]

1. blend flours and salt
2. blend in butter until crumbly
3. add water a spoon at a time, mixing lightly until it forms a ball
4. roll as for regular pie crust, place in 9" pie or quiche pan

FILLING

• 1/2# chorizo, removed from casing and browned, drained of grease
• 3/4 cup [6oz.] Jack, Pepper Jack, or sharp cheddar cheese,shredded
• 4 eggs beaten
• 1 cup 1/2'n'1/2, heavy cream, or any milk [if you use regular milk, blend it with 1/3 cup flour]
• salt, 1/2 tsp. and pepper,1/8 tsp. [optional]
• chopped green onion, 1/4 cup [optional]
• sliced ripe olives,1/3 cup [optional
• salsa, 1/2 cup [RECOMMENDED, optional]

1. sprinkle 1/2 of cheese in bottom of crust
2. put chorizo over cheese
3. sprinkle onion, olives, or salsa over chorizo
4. lightly beat eggs then combine with cream or milk and slowly pour over ingredients in crust
5. bake 10 minutes at 450, then lower temp to 350 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes more.
6. quiche is done when set [firm]
7. if it begins to brown too much before it is done, cover with foil
8. allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting

HOMEMADE CHORIZO [Mexican Sausage]

For several reasons I prefer making my own chorizo; I can control salt content and spicieness, also fat content and type of meat.

• 1# lean ground pork [or ground turkey]
• 2 Tblsp. red wine vinegar [or any vinegar]
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. salt [or less]
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp. crushed fennel seed
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• dash of cayenne pepper [optional]
• 2 tsp. ground cumin

1. mix thoroughly by hand [using a mixer can toughen meat] 
2. refridgerate several ours or preferably overnight
3. since this is very low fat [especially if  you use turkey] coat your pan with oil or spray when cooking to prevent sticking

This makes a mild/medium hot chorizo. You can add more or less chili powder and cayenne to suit your tastes.