INGREDIENTS
About 2 ounces pastry dough (if using frozen dough, toss it in the fridge the day before to thaw)
Flour, for the work surface
Butter, for the pastry dough
1 large egg
1/4 to 1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
A sprinkling freshly grated nutmeg
About 1 1/2 slices prosciutto or ham, torn into small bits, or 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
If the dough is very cold, let it warm up on the counter until it feels pliable.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured board to a circle approximately 9 inches in diameter, and fit it into the tart pan, pressing it firmly around the edges and trimming any crust that hangs over the edge.
Prick the dough with the tines of a fork, then line the dough with foil buttered on its underside and fill the pan with dried beans, rice, or pie weights.
Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C), remove the foil and weights from the crust, and prick the bottom again. Bake, uncovered, another 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, as the tart crust is baking, crack the egg into a measuring cup and add enough cream to make a scant 1/2 cup.
Add the salt and nutmeg and mix well.
Scatter the prosciutto, ham, or bacon over the tart crust and pour in the egg and cream mixture, which should fill the tart shell right up to the top. (If you have a little too much filling, save it to add to scrambled eggs the next morning.)
Carefully place the tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat or foil and bake until the filling seems set in the center, about 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let the quiche rest for about 5 minutes to set. (Yes, you can wait that long before you dive in.)