Next Level Quiche Lorraine Recipes

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:

• For the dough: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.
• Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Pulse in the egg yolks and butter. (Do not overmix.) Add the ice water through the top and pulse until the dough comes together and forms a loose ball. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
• Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll into a round, about 10 inches in diameter. Press the dough gently into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate. Ideally, there should be about an inch of excess dough hanging over the edge. Pinch the dough up to create a crimped edge. Place one sheet of parchment over the dough and fill with pie weights. Bake until lightly brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and pie weights and let cool.
• For the quiche custard: Cook the lardons in a skillet until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
• Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, nutmeg, hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in the cheeses.
• Place the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet. Scatter three-quarters of the bacon over the shell, then pour the custard over the top. Bake until set and brown and bubbly on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with the remaining bacon and chives. Slice and serve.

CHEF JOHN'S QUICHE LORRAINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Roll pie dough to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place bottom crust in pie plate and chill for at least 20 minutes before baking. Line the chilled pie crust with foil and fill halfway up with dried beans, rice, or baking weights. Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes. Remove foil and weights and bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan to drain. Blot out some of the oil from the skillet, leaving 1 to 2 teaspoons. Add leeks, onion, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until tender and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside.
• Whisk eggs, egg yolks, cream, and milk together in a large bowl. Add thyme and stir to combine.
• Sprinkle 2/3 of onion-leek mixture on the bottom of the baked crust. Top with 1/3 cooked bacon and 2/3 Gruyere cheese. Ladle in egg mixture carefully. Sprinkle with remaining onion-leek mixture, remaining bacon, and remaining Gruyere cheese.
• Bake filled quiche in the preheated oven until browned and set, and no longer jiggly in the center, 40 to 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.