Quiche Variations

Quiche is the quintessential brunch offering. Add a fruit salad, a roll and some sparkling punch and you have yourself a party. Eggs, cheese, herbs, veggies, etc. in a crust: pretty basic and easy once you get the proportions down. Choose a theme then use ingredients you have on hand or what is freshest at the market or what you are craving at the moment. Add a sauce if you like. Here is a butter crust recipe, egg to cream proportions, and a couple of suggested fillings to get you started. You can make a day ahead and reheat to serve, or serve at room temperature.

Bacon, Spinach and Swiss Quiche

Pepperoni, Peppers and Mozzarella Quiche

Crust for Quiche
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold water
Mix the flours together with the salt. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles meal. Pour in most of the water and stir to combine. Add additional water until the dough forms a ball. Roll out into a 11 inch circle and place into a 9 inch tart pan that has a removable bottom. Gently push crust into sides and remove the excess dough on the edges.
Egg and Cream Filling for Quiche
4 eggs
6 tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/16 teaspoon white pepper
Whisk all ingredients together until well combined and pour over quiche ingredients in crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Bacon, Spinach and Swiss Quiche
5 slices bacon
1/3 cup thinly sliced leek (white and light green parts only)
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
2 cups fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
4 ounces Swiss cheese, grated
Cut bacon (1/4 inch pieces) into a hot skillet and cook over medium high heat for several minutes until browned and crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel. Remove all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon grease. Add leek and rosemary to skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the spinach and continue cooking until spinach is wilted. Sprinkle bacon over the crust. Top with spinach mixture, trying to distribute evenly over the bottom. Top with the grated Swiss cheese. Pour egg and cream mixture over the cheese and bake.

Pepperoni, Peppers and Mozzarella Quiche
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons diced shallot
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 teaspoon minced basil (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/2 cup chopped turkey pepperoni
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
3 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
Optional: Red sauce for serving (Fillipo Magistro's recommended)
Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and when shimmering, stir in shallots and peppers. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes then stir in basil and pepperoni. Add salt if necessary (some brands of pepperoni have plenty of salt so taste the mixture and add salt if needed). Remove from heat and spread evenly over the crust. Top with the cheeses. Pour egg and cream mixture over all and bake. Serve with red sauce if desired.

Hints: You could pre-bake the crust if you like for 5 minutes or so. I like to have the crust and the filling meld a bit and so do not pre-bake. If serving the next day, cool, cover with plastic wrap and chill. Reheat or serve at room temperature. Here are some other ingredients I have used that have worked out well-- baby shrimp, chorizo sausage, Italian sausage, grilled chicken, ham; green peppers, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, sun dried tomato, roasted sweet potato chunks, fresh corn, shelled soy beans, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, onion, green onion, diced chili peppers; cilantro, thyme, sage, parsley, oregano, chives, dill; cheddar, jack cheese, feta, Romano, Stilton blue, goat cheese, Baby Belle, Havarti, Provolone, Gouda.

Brunch is a nice time for quiche but not the only time to enjoy it. Make two or three varieties and offer them buffet style. Add pasta salad, fruit salad and a green salad, some lovely rolls and a dessert or two and it really is a party. By the way, most quiche is quite filling and real men do eat it.