“Do you like green eggs and ham?”
That’s the question that Sam-I-am asks the other main (unidentified) character in the Dr. Seuss classic, “Green Eggs and Ham.” Until the last few pages of the book, the answer is always a resounding “no” in the sing-song musical rhyming pattern that set Dr. Seuss, Theodore Geisel, apart from other children story writers in the 1950’s.
“Would you like them in a house?
Would you like them with a mouse?”
Today, August 12th, marks the 54th anniversary of the release of this children’s classic. So, to honor this auspicious occasion, and a writer who impacted a generation of children (me and other Baby Boomers) and continues to influence children everywhere, I came up with my recipe for Green Eggs and Ham Quiche!
A torrent of rhyming words, including “no”, spills from the grumpy character’s mouth. Towards the end of the book, the unidentified main character finally tastes the green eggs and ham and then an explosion of sing-song rhymes tumbles from his mouth:
“Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat.
I would eat them with a goat…
And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good, so good, you see!”
Made with broccoli and leftover ham, Green Ham and Eggs Quiche is “so good, so good, you see!” Even children will love Green Eggs and Ham Quiche, especially if you read the book to them while eating.
Plus, you don’t have to eat Green Eggs and Ham Quiche in a boat or with a goat or in the rain or on a train! But, you should eat it in a house…the mouse is optional {grin}, of course.
P.S. In the truest form of flattery, Dr. Seuss’ magical writing style is often copied by children’s writers everywhere, even me. To honor Dr. Seuss’ birthday on April 2nd of this year, I wrote Carole Hears a Whoo. Check it out – I promise you’ll chuckle!
Here’s the recipe:
Green Eggs and Ham Quiche
Here’s an idea for making green eggs and ham to honor Dr. Seuss. Even children will love this recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 – 9-inch frozen pie crust
- 8 ounces of broccoli florets
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 cups ham, chopped into 1/2” cubes
- 3 green onions, sliced (both white and green parts), reserve 2 of the green onion tops and slice those on the diagonal
- 1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated (about 6 ounce block of Gruyere cheese)
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup fat-free half-and-half (can use regular half-and-half)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a saucepan, bring the 2 cups of water to a boil and add salt.
- Add frozen broccoli and bring to a second boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook broccoli until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Drain broccoli and place on paper towel-lined plate; pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Add broccoli to a mixing bowl and mash with fork.
- Add half-and-half and mix to combine.
- In a separate bowl, break eggs and whisk; add to broccoli/half-and-half mixture and stir to combine.
- Heat canola oil in non-stick skillet.
- Add chopped ham (I used leftover ham) and onions (except for the diagonally sliced onion tops) to skillet.
- Saute on medium heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and scoop ham and onions into frozen pre-made pie crust.
- Top with 1 cup grated gruyere cheese.
- Pour broccoli/egg mixture over all; do not over-fill and discard any unused broccoli/egg mixture.
- Top with remaining 1/2 cup of grated gruyere cheese and sprinkle with the reserved green onion tops.
- Place quiche on baking tray and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Check quiche at 20 minutes to make sure that crust is not burning; if crust is browning too quickly, cover with pie shield.
- Continue baking 10 to 15 more minutes until knife inserted in center of quiche comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
You can make your own pie shield using aluminum foil. Twist a length of aluminum foil into a long ribbon and join the two ends to form a circle. Gently lay over your browned pie crust to prevent further browning and burning.
Tootles,
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(other breakfast recipes)
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