Caramelized Pear and Goat Cheese Quiche

Ingredients:

1 large shallot (diced)

1/2 red onion cut up
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 pears cut into chunks
4 eggs beaten
1 cup fat free half and half
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup goat cheese
1/2 cup arugula chopped into pieces
1 pre-baked pecan butter pie crust (see below)

Pecan Butter Pie Crust

(makes 1 crust)

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup pecans toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
8 tablespoons butter cut into pieces
4-5 tablespoons cold water

Pie Crust Directions:

1. Pulse the flour, ground walnuts, salt and sugar in a food processor or blender to mix.
2. Add the butter and blend.
3. Add water and blend.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour.
5. Roll the dough into a 12 inch circle about 1/8 of an inch thick on a lightly floured surface.

6. Place the dough into a 9 inch diameter spring form pan with the edges going up the side of the pan.
7. Place a piece of parchment paper in the pie and fill it with rice to hold it down.
8. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes.
9. Remove the parchment paper and weight and poke the bottom of the crust with a fork a few times.
10. Bake until a light golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Quiche Directions:

1. Combine butter, shallot and onion in a skillet and sauté over medium high heat until tender.

2. Add the sugar and cook until bubbling.
3. Add the pear and sauté until tender.
4. Mix pears, egg, half and half, thyme, arugula and goat cheese, pour into the pre-baked pie crust.
5. Bake in a preheated 375F oven until golden brown on top and set in the center, about 25-45 minutes.