Description
Savor classic French cuisine with this irresistible Bacon and Cheese Quiche that blends golden pastry, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese into a perfect brunch masterpiece. Delightful flavors and flaky textures invite culinary adventurers to enjoy a slice of comfort straight from a French kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyere)
- 1 ½ cups half-and-half (or equal parts milk and cream)
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 34 tablespoons (approximately 2 cups + 2 tablespoons) ice water
Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Craft a delicate pastry foundation by sifting flour and salt into a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate chilled butter using a pastry cutter until the texture mimics coarse, crumbly terrain. Introduce ice water incrementally, kneading gently until the dough coheres into a unified mass.
- Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase in plastic wrap, and allow to rest in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for half an hour. Liberate the chilled dough onto a flour-dusted surface, gently rolling and draping it into a 9-inch pie vessel. Trim excess edges with precision.
- Elevate the crust’s structural integrity through strategic pre-baking. Warm the oven to 375F, line the crust with parchment, and weight it down with ceramic beads or dried legumes. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove weights and continue for an additional 5 minutes until golden.
- Whisk eggs, half-and-half, and seasonings in a harmonious blend, ensuring a smooth, integrated mixture. Distribute crispy bacon fragments and shredded cheese across the crust’s foundation with artistic evenness.
- Cascade the egg mixture over the scattered ingredients, using a fork to ensure gentle, uniform dispersion. This creates a canvas of culinary potential.
- Transfer the assembled quiche to the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 35-40 minutes. Watch for a set center and a burnished golden surface indicating perfect doneness.
- After emerging from the oven, permit the quiche a brief moment of repose. Garnish with delicate herb confetti if desired, then slice and serve, celebrating the harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Customize the crust by using whole wheat or gluten-free flour for a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise taste or texture.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or tempeh bacon to reduce fat content and make the quiche suitable for those seeking leaner protein options.
- Pre-cook bacon until crispy to prevent soggy spots and ensure a consistent crunch throughout the quiche, enhancing overall mouthfeel and flavor distribution.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère, goat cheese, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the classic bacon and cheese combination.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg