FENNEL ASPARAGUS QUICHE

1 sugar-free pie crust, unbaked
1 lb fresh asparagus, cut into pieces approx. 1-inch long
1 medium-sized fennel bulb
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
3/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tbsp flour
3 eggs
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
dash of fresh ground black pepper
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Line a 9-inch pie plate or quiche pan with the pie crust. Crimp edges as desired. Using a fork, prick the crust on bottom and sides. Line crust with a double thickness of regular aluminum foil or one thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove foil and back another 4 minutes or until dry and set. Remove crust from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Trim top off the fennel and save a few leaves for garnish. Thinly slice bulb. In a medium covered saucepan, cook the fennel, asparagus, and onion in enough boiling water to cover for about 5 minutes, just until tender.

In a medium bowl, using a wire whisk, combine the milk and flour until smooth. Add eggs, basil, salt, and pepper, whisking to combine.

Spoon the vegetable mixture into the crust. Sprinkle the cheese over the vegetables then slowly and gently pour the egg mixture over all. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately a half hour or until the center is set and a knife inserted comes out clean.

Chop the reserved fennel leaves to garnish top.

Note: If crust should start to become too brown, cover edge with a strip of aluminum foil.

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: 290 calories, 15 g (6 sat)fat, 122 mg cholesterol, 524 mg sodium, 28 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 12 g protein.
Diabetic exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 starch, 1 meat, 1 1/2 fat. Carb choices: 2

Note: File Photo for Reference Only.