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With Easter and brunch season (think Mother's Day and Father's Day) fast approaching, I'm reminded of one of the simplest and most delicious dishes to feed a crowd: the quiche. (It also makes a perfect centerpiece to the table!)
What is quiche?
A quiche is a simple dish. It's just an egg custard (eggs whisked with milk or heavy cream) baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust. It is entirely customizable, with additions such as meats, cheeses, seafood, vegetables, and herbs. A perfect quiche is fluffy, creamy, rich yet still light, with textural elements including sautéed vegetables or meats, such as bacon or ham.
So, how did this versatile crowd pleaser come into existence? Its origins stretch centuries in the past, and are rooted in a place that sounds like a location from Lord of the Rings. And when made just the right way, a quiche is precious....
Who's Lorraine?
Quiche is known as a classic dish of France, where it gained popularity, yet you might be surprised to learn it actually originated in Germany and dates back to the 1400s. Its name comes from the German word “kuchen," meaning cake or tart.
This dish was the local cuisine of the German kingdom of Lothringen, which the French took over in World War I. After obtaining the territory, they promptly gave the region a more fitting French moniker, Alsace-Lorraine. The French soon discovered this beloved and tasty dish, adding smoked bacon lardons to the egg custard and calling it “quiche Lorraine."
Quiche was originally prepared using bread dough for the crust housing a silky egg custard. The bread dough was eventually swapped for puff pastry or a flaky pie crust, resulting in a more delicate dish and giving us the brunch staple we all know and love today.
To be considered “Lorraine," a quiche must consist of eggs, heavy cream or crème fraiche, and lardons, thick, smoky bacon sliced into matchsticks. Some variations of Lorraine exist, such as quiche Alsacienne (see recipe below), which takes a quiche Lorraine and adds grated Gruyère cheese, and quiche Vosgienne, which also includes roasted onions. Quiche Florentine features spinach and Swiss cheese in addition to the eggs and cream.
Endless quiche possibilities
One reason this brunch star is so appealing is the countless variety of options you have when making it. Have some fun experimenting with seasonal produce, leftover meats (such as sausage or ham), and salmon or crab. Utilize soft cheeses and an array of grated cheeses, too, to give it even more tang and richness. Toss in some zesty herbs and smoky spices for added flair.
Another possibility, and immediate favorite, are mini quiches. For these, start with a standard egg custard and incorporate some different flavors, such as asparagus and ricotta with prosciutto, spinach and goat cheese, butternut squash with thyme and rosemary, or a classic combination of chorizo and cheddar. Mini versions of this dish are playful and appeal to the appetites of many guests.
Need more reasons why the quiche is a quintessential brunch dish? You can assemble its components ahead of time, saving you from last-minute preparation, and it is equally delicious when served at room temperature or cold, allowing you to mingle and enjoy your guests. With its ease of preparation, adaptability, and make-ahead nature, quiche is here to make your entertaining a whole lot simpler.
I recommend serving any quiche alongside breakfast breads, pastries, fruits, and crispy bacon. You now have a stunning brunch!
Want to make your own quiche? Try this classic version with Gruyère cheese.
SERVINGS
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 12 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 stick unsalted cold butter, cut into cubes
- 2 ½ tablespoons ice water
- 4 strips thick bacon (sliced into lardons (matchsticks))
- 4 whole eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 34 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 12 teaspoon salt
- 14 teaspoon nutmeg
- 14 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour and salt. Quickly pulse to combine. Add the cubes of butter and slowly pulse until the mixture resembles small peas. Add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time pulsing quickly, just until the dough comes together. You may not need all the ice water.
- Turn the pie dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, with floured hands, gather it into a ball. Wrap the ball of dough in cling wrap and flatten slightly into a round disc. Refrigerate the dough at least 2 hours before using.
- Preheat the oven to 375˚ Fahrenheit.
- In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Roll the pie dough out on a lightly floured surface and line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough, building a rim. Place a piece of parchment paper inside the pie plate directly onto the dough and fill with pie weights or dry beans to line the bottom. Par bake the dough for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cheese, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Add the bacon.
- Reduce the oven to 350˚, remove the parchment from the pie dough, and pour the egg custard into the pie shell. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
AUTHOR
Janine Nyquist is a chef, recipe developer, and food stylist. She focuses on simple, thoughtful cooking and regularly shares her food and cooking adventures on her Instagram @janinenyquist. Raised Italian-American, food and family have always been at the forefront of Janine's life. In the kitchen, you can often find her dancing while sautéing, usually singing into a wooden spoon, and occasionally making a mess. Her philosophy is: expressing love through the transformation of simple ingredients and gathering together to make memories around the table. Janine lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband and two rainbow babies. When she is not in the kitchen she enjoys exercising, traveling, and sitting at cafes drinking oat milk lattes.
