Egg White Quiche and Mixed Greens

This morning, Alex and I ventured down to the south loop to The Little Branch Cafe, a gem of a cafe with great food and a cool vibe. I got a $6.95 bowl of oatmeal, topped with toasted oats and heaps of fresh berries. Sounds expensive, but it's the best oatmeal I've ever had. Pair that with two hard boiled egg whites and a giant, steaming cup of Metropolis coffee, and I was ready for the day.

Alex ordered a piece of the goat cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomato quiche. It dawned on me that I never eat quiche, mainly due to the cholesterol. So, why not make it with egg whites? When I got home, I scoured the Internet for a healthy quiche recipe and realized you can pretty much substitute egg whites and skim milk in most recipes.

First, decide on what ingredients you want in your quiche. Sauté garlic and onions in a pan, and then mix 4 egg whites, 1/2 c. skim milk or 1/2 c. buttermilk, and any cheese and spices that you want into a mixing bowl. Once the garlic and onions are tender, pour them into the mixture. Pour all ingredients into a pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes (until a knife comes out clean in the center). Even more health conscious? Forgo the crust and cook in a pie pan.

Experiment with your favorite quiche recipes, substituting egg whites for full eggs. Use artichokes, spinach, roasted peppers, herbs and tomatoes for great variations in flavors. Skip the butter in traditional recipes and cook veggies in olive oil instead. Serve the quiche with mixed greens, and enjoy a healthy brunch for two!