CLASSIC SPINACH QUICHE
Of all the spinach quiches
I've attempted throughout the years, this exemplary French variant is my top
choice. The formula originates from my cherished companion Trish, who isn't
just perhaps the most clever individuals I know, yet additionally a staggering
leader. When Trish engages, she goes full scale – excellent table settings,
regular mixed drinks, remarkable food, and (best of all) comical gathering
games. She once made a whole round of Jeopardy! for our old secondary school
pack, total with classifications like Prom Dates, '80s Pop Stars, and Senior
Superlatives.
This spinach quiche is
Trish's "go-to" informal breakfast dish. The mix of overwhelming
cream and Gruyère makes it rich and tasty. There's additionally a decent piece
of spinach, which adjusts all that extravagance and makes it only somewhat more
beneficial.
INGREDIENTS FOR SPINACH QUICHE
To streamline things, I
suggest utilizing a locally acquired outside layer (my most loved is the Wholly
Wholesome brand from Whole Foods). When purchasing a solidified pie hull, make
certain to check it cautiously at the store for breaks. (On the off chance that
you unload it and find that it's split, no concerns — there's a fix beneath.)
Also, make a point to purchase a profound dish outside layer; a customary pie
shell isn't sufficiently profound to hold all the fillings.
Solidified slashed spinach
additionally makes the formula simple. It's imperative to wring out all the
dampness from the spinach before utilizing it. I ordinarily accumulate it into
a ball in my grasp and crush it until dry. It takes a couple of moments of
pressing to get all the water out. Show restraint; you need the spinach dry, in
any case your quiche will be watery.
Gruyère is my first
decision for this quiche — I love its nutty flavor — yet if you can't discover
it, Cheddar might be subbed.
INGREDIENTS
·
1 9-inch deep dish frozen pie crust
·
1 tablespoon butter
·
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
·
4 large eggs
·
1-1/4 cups heavy cream
·
Pinch ground nutmeg
·
3/4 teaspoon salt
·
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
·
1 cup (4 oz) finely shredded Gruyère, packed
·
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
and wrung free of water.
HOW TO MAKE SPINACH QUICHE
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and
set a rack in the middle position. Remove the pie crust from freezer and thaw
until just soft enough to easily prick with a fork, about 10 minutes. Prick the
bottom and sides all over with a fork (pricking about an inch apart). Bake
until fully cooked and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes. (Keep an eye on
it...if it puffs up while cooking, gently prick it with a fork so it will
deflate.) Don't worry if the crust cracks while baking; see my note below on
how to fix it before proceeding. Set aside and turn oven down to 325°F.
2. Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Cook
the shallots until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown. Set
aside to cool.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt
and cayenne pepper.
4. Place the cooked pie crust on a baking sheet (this makes it easy
to move in and out of oven). Spread the shallots over the bottom of the cooked
crust, then sprinkle the shredded Gruyere over top. Scatter the spinach evenly
over cheese, breaking up the clumps as best you can. Pour the egg and cream
mixture over top.
5. Bake at 325°F degrees
for 50 to 55 minutes until the custard is set and top is lightly golden. Serve
hot or warm.
6. Note: I usually defrost
the frozen spinach quickly by placing it in a fine mesh strainer and running
hot water over it. I then gather the spinach into a ball and squeeze it dry. It
takes a few minutes of squeezing and re-squeezing to get all the water out. Be
patient...you need the spinach completely dry, otherwise your quiche will be
watery.
7. Note: Don't panic if your
crust cracks -- you can easily fix it. Make a smooth paste by mixing 1
tablespoon of flour with 1 tablespoon of water. Use your fingers to patch up
and fill any cracks, then place the crust back in the oven for a minute or so
to set. It should be good as new.
8. Make ahead: This
quiche can be made up to a day ahead of time and refrigerated. To reheat: Cover
the quiche with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 35
to 45 minutes, or until hot in the center.
9.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The
cooked quiche can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove the quiche from the
freezer about 24 hours prior to eating and reheat it, covered with foil, in a 300°F oven until
hot in the center.
HOW TO FREEZE SPINACH QUICHE
This spinach
quiche freezes beautifully for up to three months. After cooling the quiche,
wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Remove
the quiche from the freezer about 24 hours prior to eating. Remove the plastic
wrap and reheat it, covered with foil, in a 300°F oven until hot in the center.