Bacon Cheddar and Mushroom Squares

Bacon Cheddar and Mushroom Squares

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Ingredients:

Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup coarsely grated medium cheddar cheese

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Filling:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons minced shallot

3/4 lb fresh button mushrooms, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 large eggs

3/4 cup half and half cream

6 sliced cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

2 cups coarsely grated medium-cheddar cheese

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.F.

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Lightly grease and line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.

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For crust, stir flour and sugar to combine. Cut in butter with fingers or a pastry cutter until coarse and crumbly (dough will appear dry). Stir in cheddar cheese and press into prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes and cool to room temperature.

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For filling, Keep oven at 350.F. In a large saute pan over medium heat add oil, shallots and mushrooms. Saute until all liquid has evaporated from mushrooms, about 6 minutes, then stir in garlic and thyme and season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove pan from heat to cool.

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In a large bowl, whisk eggs and cream. Stir in cooled mushroom mixture, chopped cooked bacon and cheddar cheese. Pour filling onto cooled crust and bake for about 30 minutes, until center of filling no longer jiggles. Cool squares to room temperature, then chill for at least 4 hours before slicing,

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Squares can be served at room temperature or warmed for 10 minutes at 350F. in a baking tray.

Yield: Makes one 8-inch square pan or 25 squares.