Tomorrow is trash day in my neighborhood so; I thought that today would be a good day to clean out the fridge.  Seriously, I’m reaching over things to find what I need.

Noticing that I have quite a few ingredients that I have not planned out for menus, I’ve challenged myself to make something with these items.  Even if I make a dish and freeze it for later, it’s better than throwing things out.  Plus, if I do freeze a dish, I’ll have something on hand for a quick meal.

So…I spy, with my little eye…Spinach, Mushrooms, Chicken, Scallions & Potatoes.  This should make an incredible quiche, complete with potato crust!

Chicken Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
Makes one 8-inch quiche

Potato Crust
2 medium potatoes, cubed, cooked and drained
3 scallions (green onion), chopped
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons all purpose flour, plus extra to press out crust
1-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½  teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon hot paprika

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Butter an 8 inch round pan and set aside until ready to use.   In a bowl, mash potatoes and add remaining ingredients, except the extra flour.  Mix with a spoon until completely incorporated.  Press potato mixture into the bottom and sides of prepared pan, using flour to keep mixture from sticking to your hands.  Bake for 15 minutes.

Quiche Filling
2 strips of bacon
1 cup sliced portabella mushrooms
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup chicken, cooked and chopped
½ cup chopped onion
2 whole eggs
1 cup milk
3 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup shredded cheese
1 tablespoon butter
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a heavy skillet, fry bacon on each side until crisp.  Transfer bacon to a plate, crumble and set-aside until ready to use.  Pour excess bacon drippings from skillet.  Using the same skillet, on medium high heat, add butter and allow to melt.  Add onion and mushrooms and sauté until onions are soft and translucent, about 7 minutes.  Transfer mushroom mixture to same plate as bacon.  Add spinach to skillet and sauté for 3 minutes.  Transfer spinach to plate with other items.
In a bowl, stir softened cream cheese and shredded cheese until incorporated.  Add eggs and stir until completely combined.  Add milk and stir well.  Stir in bacon, onion & mushrooms, spinach, chicken, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Pour mixture into potato crust.  Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.  Bake quiche for 40 minutes.