Corn Willy
A savory quiche filled with chicken livers, mushrooms, and cheese, topped with bacon and a flavorful egg mixture, perfect for brunch or a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 lb. hamburger
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
- onion salt ⓘ
- 1 can creamed corn
- 4 large potatoes ⓘ
- 1 (9-inch) pie shell ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 6 large mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1/3 lb. chicken livers, sliced and patted dry ⓘ
- 1/3 c. sour cream
- 2 Tbsp. dry sherry ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- pepper
- 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Brush the pie shell with Dijon mustard.
- Bake the shell for 5 minutes.
- Remove the shell from the oven; keep the oven temperature at 425°F.
- Melt butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced mushrooms and thinly sliced onion; sauté until just tender, about 1 minute.
- Add sliced chicken livers and sauté for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Stir in sour cream and sherry; cook until mixture is heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared crust.
- Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, grated Cheddar cheese, and grated Romano cheese.
- Lightly whip the eggs; add cream, cayenne pepper, sugar, and pepper; blend well.
- Pour the egg mixture over the cheese and filling.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 400°F.
- Continue baking until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
- Let the quiche cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the sautéed mushroom and onion mixture. You can substitute fresh chicken livers with ground turkey for a milder taste. If you don't have dry sherry, white wine or chicken broth can work well as alternatives. Ensure the pie crust is fully baked to prevent a soggy bottom.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Corn Willy warm with a side of mixed greens or a light salad for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with Creamy-Onion Potato Soup for a comforting dinner. You can also garnish with fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream to enhance the dish. This recipe is perfect for brunch or as a hearty lunch option.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Corn Willy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual slices in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Corn Willy contains roughly 684 calories, with 30g protein, 25g carbohydrates, and 53g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (66% of the Daily Value), protein (59% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (59% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2089mg per serving (91% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and pie crust a day in advance. Assemble the quiche but hold off on adding the egg mixture until you're ready to bake. This way, the crust stays crisp, and the filling remains fresh. Just cover and refrigerate the filling until use.
What can I use instead of chicken livers?
If you're not a fan of chicken livers, you can substitute them with cooked and crumbled sausage or even diced cooked chicken. This will give a different flavor profile, but it will still be delicious. Ensure the substitute is well-cooked before adding to the filling.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make Corn Willy vegetarian, omit the chicken livers and bacon. You can increase the amount of mushrooms or add other vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added flavor and texture. Use vegetable broth in place of any meat-based ingredients, and consider adding additional cheese for richness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).