Mix and Match Quiche

A few posts ago, I had shared a method with which you could change up pastas to create many different baked casserole dishes (http://tangerinesandtomatoes.blogspot.com/2012/04/mix-and-match-baked-pasta-casseroles.html), and this time, I'm going to share how to mix and match ingredients to make quiches!

For those who have not tried a quiche before (and I was actually one who had not until very recently), it's basically a pastry that is filled with your favorite vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and then is to be baked with a custard mixture! SO if you want to make this completely from scratch, here's how you would do it:

1) Make The Crust

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9-inch plate with pie dough (store-bought or homemade) and crimp as desired; chill 30 minutes. Line with foil, then fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the crust is set, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until lightly golden, 5-10 more minutes. Let cool while you prepare the filling.

2) Choose Your Vegetables

Prepare 1/2 to 1 cup total. Choose up to 3 vegetables and transfer into a large bowl.
*Asparagus - roasted and chopped
*Broccoli - chopped and roasted or steamed
*Kale - chopped and sauteed (or frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained)
*Jarred roasted peppers or cherry peppers - roughly chopped
*Frozen peas - thawed
*Mushrooms - sliced and sauteed
*Potatoes - shredded and sauteed
*Cherry or grape tomatoes - halved
*Radicchio - chopped and sauteed
*Olives - pitted and sliced (use up to 1/4 cup)
*Onions or shallots - sliced and sauteed
*Scallions - chopped

3) Add Meat (Optional)

Prepare up to 1/2 cup total. Choose 1 or 2. Add to the bowl with the vegetables.
*Bacon - cooked and crumbled
*Sausage - cooked and crumbled
*Ham or salami - chopped
*Corned beef or pastrami - chopped
*Rotisserie chicken - shredded
*Crabmeat - picked over

4) Add Cheese

Shred or crumble 3/4 cup to 1 cup total. Choose 1 or 2. Add to the bowl with the vegetable mixture and toss.
*Swiss, gruyere, or jarlsberg
*Fontina
*Manchego
*Provolone
*Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
*Cheddar
*Gouda - regular, aged, or smoked
*Mozzarella
*Brie
*Ricotta salata
*Goat cheese
*Feta
*Parmesan

5) Make the Quiche

Wisk 3 eggs, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, half-and-half or milk in a large bowl. If desired, stir in 1-2 tbsps chopped fresh herbs, 1/2 tsp paprika or chile powder, or some grated lemon zest. Spread the vegetable-cheese mixture in the crust, then pour the egg mixture on top. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until the filling is set, 40-50 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.

I typically skip #1 and just purchase the pastry to save on time, but I know many people who make their own as well. My favorite fillings include broccoli, mushrooms, onions, asparagus, along with very basic cooked chicken (not even rotisserie as mentioned above), and a three cheese mix (mozzarella, cheddar, and swiss).

Here are three quiche recipes that you can look at for inspiration to create your own personal quiche:

1) Spinach and Bacon Quiche
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/spinach-and-bacon-quiche-recipe/index.html

2) Ham and Broccoli Quiche
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ham-and-broccoli-quiche-recipe/index.html

3) Roasted Pepper, Scallion, and Sausage Quiche
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-pepper-scallion-and-sausage-quiche-recipe/index.html

*Note: this easy step-by-step quiche idea is not mine. I found it on foodnetwork.com and have resposted about it.