Crab Quiche

Prepare Baked Pastry Shell as directed; set aside. In a small skillet, cook onion in hot butter until tender. Remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, beat eggs slightly with a fork. Stir in crabmeat, half-and-half, vermouth (if using), tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Stir in onion mixture. Pour egg mixture into pastry shell. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Bake the quiche in a 375 degree F oven about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges to serve. Makes 8 main-dish servings.

You may want to cut the salt in the quiche filling to 1/2 teaspoon if using the imitation crabmeat (which is high in sodium).

Stir together 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/3 cup shortening. Moisten dough with 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water total, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and tossing with a fork. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Ease pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edge. Prick bottom and side of pastry. Line pastry with a double thickness of foil. Bake in a 450 degree F oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes more or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.