Tomorrow is the first day of school
And I might get scared and cry
But the teacher might let me sit with them in their chair
And their voice would be soothing and their back would be warm
And that might be kind of perfect.
I might put on my coat inside-out
And the class might point and laugh
And my face would burn red and I’d want to disappear
But then everybody just might remember my name
And that might be kind of perfect.
I might get lost and be late to lunch
And the last slice gets sold out
So I’d buy a pizza-shaped thing with a flaky crust
And like it so much that I’d go buy another one
And that might be kind of perfect.
At recess I might get left behind
So I stay with “Mr. Mop”
And the bunny might like me and follow me around
And I’d get crowned as “official bunny caretaker”
And that might be kind of perfect.
And later bullies might chase me down
So I might hide inside a bush
But then I’d discover something else hiding there too
And we would giggle together and become best friends
And that might be kind of perfect.
When all is done I’d go home and sigh
And I might eat snacks and read
And while tucked in bed I’d think back on my first day –
The pizza-shaped thing, class bunny and my new best friend
And that it was kind of perfect.
Spinach and Bacon Quiche
makes 5 (5-inch diameter) quiches
prep time: 1 hour (pie crust) 40 minutes (filling)
cook time: 20 minutes
total time: 2 hours
ingredients
pie crust
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp cold water (or as needed)
filling
1/2 cup shallots diced
4 oz crimini mushrooms diced
9 oz baby spinach
1 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese
4 slices cooked applewood smoked bacon crumbled
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch of nutmeg
handful of parsley chopped
ingredients
pie crust
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp cold water (or as needed)
filling
1/2 cup shallots diced
4 oz crimini mushrooms diced
9 oz baby spinach
1 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese
4 slices cooked applewood smoked bacon crumbled
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch of nutmeg
handful of parsley chopped
instructions
for pie crust
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/3 cup flour and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Add 1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp water, stirring until the mixture starts to clump together. If it is too dry to press a handful together, stir in more water 1 tbsp at a time. Press the dough into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten slightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until firm. This part can be done up to 3 days in advance.
Cut pastry dough into 5 pieces. Roll each pastry dough out to about a 6-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Place into ramekins and press into the bottom and up the sides. Using a fork, prick all over and crimp the edges. Return pie crusts to the refrigerator to chill until firm.
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Bake on center rack until fully cooked and lightly golden, between 10-12 minutes.
for filling
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Saute the shallots and mushrooms in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until soft, about 8 minutes. Bring a pot of water to boil, then throw in the baby spinach and stir for a few seconds until wilted. Drain and rinse under cold water. Wring the spinach dry. Try to squeeze out as much water as you can.
Place cooked pie crusts on a baking sheet. Spread shallot and mushroom mixture over bottom of cooked crust. Then sprinkle shredded Jarlsberg cheese over top. Break up the spinach clumps and scatter the spinach evenly over cheese. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over spinach.
In a blender, place the 4 eggs, heavy cream, grated nutmeg and salt. Blend until foamy and light.
Pour egg mixture over the rest of filling. Top with additional bacon and some parsley.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until custard is set and top is lightly golden. Serve hot or warm.
Author’s Notes
In the kitchen
One thing I love about quiches is that it is very versatile. You can make them without a crust or cut out circles of bread in place of the crust. You can make them as big or small as you’d like, and there is no limit to what you can put in it! Try different meats, veggies and cheeses: bacon, ham, chicken, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, swiss, gruyere, fontina, etc. The combinations are endless.
In the classroom
Have you ever been bullied? Bullying can be teasing or name-calling, spreading rumors or leaving someone out on purpose, hurting a person’s body or possessions, or making mean or rude hand gestures. Bullying is not acceptable. If you have been bullied or seen someone get bullied, go to your parents, teachers, counselors and school staff for help. This site has a lot of useful information and advice: Stop Bullying
In life
This poem was inspired by my first memory of school. I was scared and did not want to go. My mom and I were standing at the doorway of the classroom and I remember the comical moment where my kindergarten teacher was pulling on one of my arms while my other arm refused to let go of my mom. My teacher ended up being one of my favorite teachers in elementary school, but at that moment, she may as well have been a spectacled goblin.
