Description
Savory Spinach Quiche beckons with its golden, flaky crust and creamy custard studded with tender spinach and sharp cheese. Delicate layers of flavor promise a delightful meal that comes together effortlessly for you to enjoy at breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- ½ cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 34 tablespoons (510 milliliters) ice water
Main Filling Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese (Gruyere, Swiss, cheddar, or your favorite)
- 1 cup filling of choice (cooked bacon, ham, sauteed spinach, mushrooms, onions, or roasted vegetables)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 grams) ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Craft the pastry foundation by combining flour and salt in a mixing vessel, then meticulously incorporate cold butter until the texture resembles sandy granules.
- Gradually introduce icy water, gently folding until the dough coheres, then shape into a compact disk, envelop in plastic, and allow to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of half an hour.
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C), then transform the chilled dough into a thin circular shape and carefully drape it into a 9-inch pie vessel, trimming and decoratively crimping the edges.
- Shield the raw pastry with parchment paper, fill with ceramic weights or dried legumes, and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until lightly golden.
- Whisk eggs, cream, seasonings, and aromatic nutmeg in a separate mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and silky smooth.
- Distribute cheese evenly across the partially baked crust, layer selected savory additions, and gently cascade the egg mixture over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer the quiche to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the center stabilizes and the surface achieves a rich golden hue.
- Remove from oven and permit the quiche to settle and cool for 10-15 minutes, allowing the custard to set before slicing.
- Present the quiche either warm or at ambient temperature, optionally accompanied by a crisp salad or fresh fruit medley.
Notes
- Freeze the butter for 10-15 minutes before cutting into the flour to ensure an extra flaky, tender crust that crumbles perfectly.
- Use cold ingredients like ice water and chilled butter to prevent gluten development, creating a lighter, more delicate pastry texture.
- Add herbs or spices to the crust for an extra flavor dimension, such as dried thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder to complement your quiche filling.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend, maintaining the same mixing technique.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 431
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 169 mg