Cheesy Asparagus Pi(e)

Intro:

For Pi Day, I created this delicious, yet so easy-to-make, savory pie! With just a few ingredients, this crustless quiche-type pie is loaded with flavor. The sharp cheddar cheese complements the abundance of fresh asparagus in each bite which simply screams SPRING! I have served this as a stand-alone dish for brunch and have also served it alongside bacon, sausage, and ham. It is also great to serve with steaming bowls of tomato soup for a hearty lunch or as an appetizer or side dish for dinner. Whenever and wherever I serve it, it always gets rave reviews. Plus, it is equally good reheated the second day. Did I mention that three asparagus stalks create the perfect Pi symbol on top? Here you go………...

Ingredients:

No-stick cooking spray

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup chopped white onion

1 lb. fresh asparagus, woody ends well-trimmed

6 oz. grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

1 1/4 cups whole milk

3 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2/3 cup buttermilk biscuit/baking mix

10-inch pie plate

10-inch cast iron skillet (or other skillet)

Large slotted spoon

Paring knife

Cutting board

Cheese grater (if cheese is in a block)

Medium mixing bowl

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Whisk

Ladle

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 10-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Dice onion then add to butter. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

While onion is cooking, on cutting board, cut asparagus into ½-inch pieces except reserve three 4 1/2-inch top-of-stalk pieces that will be used to make the pi symbol for top of pie. (One of the stalks I had had a slight curl at the top, which was perfect for the vertical right-side of the pi symbol.) Add ½-inch and 4 1/2-inch asparagus pieces to onion in skillet. Cook for 4 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Spread asparagus mixture evenly in sprayed pie plate, reserving the three 4 ½-inch pieces for top of pie. Sprinkle cheese evenly over asparagus.

Pour milk into a medium mixing bowl. Add eggs. Add seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk until eggs are beaten and mixture is evenly combined. Gradually whisk in biscuit/baking mix. Whisk for 1 minute. If there are still a few very small lumps, that is fine.

Use ladle to spoon milk mixture evenly over cheese.

Arrange the three asparagus stalks to form the pi symbol carefully on top of pie as shown.

Place on center rack in oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean and edge of top just begins to brown. Cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve. Serves 6. Enjoy!

Happy Pi Day!

This pie is very versatile – snipped fresh herbs, dried Italian seasoning, or even taco seasoning may be added to the milk mixture. 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon, sausage, rotisserie chicken, or diced ham may also be added on top of cheese before ladling milk mixture.