Next Level Quiche Lorraine Recipes

QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• Blind bake the crust: 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. (If there are any cracks in the crust, see note below on how to patch them up.) Prick the bottom and sides all over with a fork. Place the crust on a baking sheet to make it easy to move in and out of the oven. Bake on until 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. (If it cracks while baking, see note below for instructions on how to patch it up.) Set aside and reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
• In a medium nonstick sauté pan over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but one tablespoon of fat from the pan. Add the shallots and cook over medium-low heat until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Do not brown. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the heavy cream, salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg; whisk until evenly combined.
• Spread the shallots evenly over the bottom of the cooked crust. Top with half of the bacon, all of the Gruyère, and then the remaining bacon. Pour the egg/cream mixture over top.
• Slide the quiche (still on the baking sheet) into the oven and bake at 325°F for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and lightly golden. Serve hot or warm.
• Note: Don't panic if your crust has 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 proceed with the recipe. If the crust cracks while blind baking, patch it afterwards and place it back in the oven for a minute or so to set. It should be good as new.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: This quiche can be fully prepared up to a day ahead of time and refrigerated. To reheat: Cover the quiche with aluminum foil and heat in a preheated 300°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until hot in the center.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked quiche can be frozen for up to 3 months. After baking and 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 for 35 to 45 minutes, or until hot in the center.

THE BEST QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• For the pastry crust: Pulse the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the flour looks like cornmeal. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough with your fingers; if it doesn't hold together, add up to 2 more tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse again.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a disc. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
• Lightly flour a work surface, then roll the dough into an 11-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Center the dough in a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom, with an even overhang of dough all around. Press the dough into the edges of the pan and the fluted sides. Roll the rolling pin over the top to cut off the extra dough (discard the extra). Poke the bottom and sides all over with a fork. Chill until completely cold, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Press a piece of parchment over the chilled crust, then fill with pie weights, raw beans or rice. Put the pan on a baking sheet. Bake until the crust is set and golden around the edges, about 40 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment and weights. Return to the oven and bake until the crust is dry and slightly golden, about 15 minutes more. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Combine the butter, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are completely softened and all the water has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a separate medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crisp, 10 to 15 minutes.
• When the onions have cooked for 30 minutes, add the bacon using a slotted spoon, then stir in 1 teaspoon of the thyme and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread the onion mixture in the bottom of the crust and sprinkle with the Gruyere. Whisk together the cream, eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the cream mixture over the filling in the crust and top with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme.
• Bake the quiche on the baking sheet until set and golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.

QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• Make crust: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add flour, butter, and salt. Mix at lowest speed until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. With the motor still running, slowly add egg yolks one at a time, then the cold water; continue mixing until the dough comes together, 10-15 seconds. Turn dough onto a flat work surface and bring it together with your hands. Dust surface and dough with flour, then shape into a disk about 8 inches in diameter and ½ inch thick. (Optional: Use a rolling pin dusted with flour to help you flatten the dough.) Wrap disk in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours and up to overnight. (Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks; defrost in the refrigerator before continuing with recipe.)
• Shape dough: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Remove dough from refrigerator. Use a pastry brush to grease the bottom and sides of the tart pan with softened butter.Unwrap the dough and place on a lightly floured work surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a circle; every few rolls, rotate the dough a quarter-turn to even out the thickness and shape, dusting with flour as needed. Center the tart pan on the circle of dough: the dough should extend at least 2 inches past the edge of the pan, all the way around, in order to line the walls of the tart pan. Transfer dough to tart pan: Gently fold dough in half, then in half again. Center the tip of dough wedge in the middle of the pan and gently unfold. Use your fingers to ease the dough against the sides of the pan and help it lie flat against the bottom; avoid stretching or tearing. Leaving a ¼-inch overhang, trim the excess dough with a paring knife. Shape excess dough into a ball and use it to push the dough into the fluted walls of the pan. Fold and press the overhanging dough over the rim; this will help the dough hold its shape as it bakes.
• Parbake crust: Line dough with a circle of parchment paper; fill pan with baking beans or pie weights. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, make an egg wash by whisking an egg with a tablespoon of water. Set aside. After 20-25 minutes, remove parbaked crust from oven; remove the parchment paper and baking beans. Use a serrated knife to trim away the crust along the top of the tart pan so it's flush with the edge; now that the dough is partially cooked, it won't shrink as it cooks further. Brush the bottom and sides with the egg wash and place back in the oven, 5 more minutes. Crust is parbaked when it's firm but hasn't taken on color; the sides should be pulling away slightly from the pan. Set aside to cool. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Filling: Trim root end of the leeks. Slice in half lengthwise, then slice into ¼-inch half-moons. Trim root end of the endives, then remove outer leaves. Slice in half lengthwise, then slice into ¼-inch half-moons. Slice bacon into ¼-inch strips (or "lardons"). In a large sauté pan set over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add bacon, leeks, endives, a few turns of pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir and sweat until vegetables are soft but not brown, 8-10 minutes. Towards the end of cooking, turn heat to low and add chopped garlic. Stir to combine, turn off heat, and set aside.
• Custard: In large bowl, add eggs, egg yolks, salt, and pepper; whisk together. Then slowly add cream while whisking; continue whisking until smooth. Set aside. Dice cheese into ½-inch cubes. Set aside.Assemble quiche: Place tart pan on a wire rack fitted into a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon the vegetable-bacon mixture into the tart crust and spread in an even layer; top with diced cheese. Mince about 2 tablespoons of chives and set aside. Ladle custard into the tart pan until it covers the filling and almost reaches the top. Gently shake the pan to settle the custard and eliminate air pockets. Pour remaining custard (about ¼-½ cup) into a measuring cup or small pitcher. Sprinkle quiche with half the minced chives, reserving the rest for garnish. Place quiche on oven rack; then add enough remaining custard to fill the crust to the very top without overflowing. Bake for 20 minutes. (Total baking time will be 50 minutes.)
• After 20 minutes, rotate the pan 180 degrees and lower the temperature to 275 degrees F. Continue cooking until custard is set, another 25-30 minutes. Turn on broiler. Place quiche on a rack about 6 inches from heat source. Broil until top is a light golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Note: Keep an eye on it the entire time to prevent burning!
• Remove quiche from oven and let cool in the pan, at least 30 minutes. Before serving, lightly brush top with olive oil. Remove tart ring. If you want to remove the bottom of the tart pan, gently run a knife between it and the crust before sliding it out. Garnish with reserved chives (optional). Serve warm or at room temperature. (To reheat a cold quiche: Bake at 200 degrees F for 20 minutes.)

QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until it looks like coarse meal. Add 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough starts to come together. Add up to 1 more tablespoon ice water, a little at a time, if necessary. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let soften 10 minutes. Unwrap the dough on a floured surface. Roll out the dough into an 11-inch round, lightly dusting with flour as needed and turning the dough occasionally. Carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges with your fingers. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork, then refrigerate until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line the dough with parchment paper and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Put on a baking sheet and bake until lightly golden around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights and continue baking until golden brown in the center, 20 to 25 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine the butter, onion and a big pinch of salt in a medium skillet over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very tender and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. While the onion cooks, put the bacon in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the bacon to the pan with the onion, along with the thyme.
• Spread the Gruyère and onion-bacon mixture in the cooled pie crust. Combine the eggs, heavy cream, chives, nutmeg, cayenne and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and whisk until combined. Pour into the pie crust. Bake until the quiche is just set and lightly golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool before serving.

QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a nine-inch pie plate with the pastry. By all means build a rim with the pastry and flute it. This is essential for the amount of custard indicated in this recipe.
• Cover the bottom of the pastry with a round of parchment paper and add enough dried beans or peas to partly fill the shell. Bake 10 minutes.
• Reduce the oven heat to 375 degrees. Remove and discard the beans and parchment paper and set the pastry-lined pie plate aside.
• Cook the bacon until crisp and remove it from skillet. Pour off all but one tablespoon of the fat remaining in the skillet. Cook the onion in the remaining fat until the onion is transparent.
• Crumble the bacon and sprinkle the bacon, onion and cheeses over the inside of the partly baked pastry.
• Combine the eggs, cream, nutmeg, salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce to taste. Strain the mixture over the onion-cheese mixture. Slide the pie onto a baking sheet.
• Bake the pie until a knife inserted one inch from the pastry edge comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Remove to a wire rack. Let stand five or 10 minutes before serving.

ULTIMATE QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• For the pastry, put 175g plain flour, 100g cold butter, cut into pieces, 1 egg yolk and 4 tsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button, process until the mix binds.
• Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather into a smooth ball, then roll out as thinly as you can.
• Line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottomed, fluted flan tin, easing the pastry into the base.
• Trim the pastry edges with scissors (save any trimmings) so it sits slightly above the tin (if it shrinks, it shouldn't now go below the level of the tin). Press the pastry into the flutes, lightly prick the base with a fork, then chill for 10 mins.
• Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line pastry case with foil, shiny side down, fill with dry beans and bake on the hot sheet for 15 mins.
• Remove foil and beans and bake for 4-5 mins more until the pastry is pale golden. If you notice any small holes or cracks, patch up with pastry trimmings. You can make up to this point a day ahead.
• While the pastry cooks, prepare the filling. Heat a small frying pan, tip in 200g lardons and fry for a couple of mins. Drain off any liquid that comes out, then continue cooking until the lardons just start to colour, but aren't crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Cut three quarters of the 50g gruyère into small dice and finely grate the rest. Scatter the diced gruyère and fried lardons over the bottom of the pastry case.
• Using a spoon, beat 200ml crème fraîche to slacken it then slowly beat in 200ml double cream. Mix in 3 well beaten eggs. Season (you shouldn't need much salt) and add a pinch of ground nutmeg. Pour three quarters of the filling into the pastry case.
• Half-pull the oven shelf out and put the flan tin on the baking sheet. Quickly pour the rest of the filling into the pastry case - you get it right to the top this way. Scatter the grated cheese over the top, then carefully push the shelf back into the oven.
• Lower the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Bake for about 25 mins, or until golden and softly set (the centre should not feel too firm).
• Let the quiche settle for 4-5 mins, then remove from the tin. Serve freshly baked, although it's also good cold.