Potato-Crusted Quiche

This easy to prepare quiche boasts a crispy hash brown-like crust and a delicious Gruyere and ham filling.  

4 large eggs
1 large egg white
1 2/3 cups milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 oz ham, cut into 1/4" pieces

1 1/2 lbs peeled and shredded potatoes

2 green onions, sliced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 oz Gruyere cheese, shredded

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

Fresh flat leaf parsley leaves and snipped chives

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, with wire whisk, blend eggs, egg white, milk, and 1/8 tsp salt and pepper. Stir in ham.  

Place potatoes in a large fine-mesh sieve.  With hands, squeeze out as much liquid as possible.  Transfer to large bowl and toss with green onions and remaining 1/8 tsp salt.  

Heat 12" well-seasoned plain or enamel-coated cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot.  Add oil, brushing to evenly coat bottom and side of pan and heat until very hot.  Add potatoes; with rubber spatula, quickly spread in thin, even layer over bottom and all the way up side to rim, gently pressing potatoes against pan to form a crust.  Using a rubber spatula, patch any holes by spreading potatoes over   them.  Cook potato crust 3 minutes or until browned.  Pour in egg mixture, then sprinkle cheese evenly over top.  

Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Decoratively arrange tomato slices on top.  Garnish with parsley and chives.  Use thin spatula to release sides of crust from pan, then cut into wedges to serve.