Quiche, the savory custard pie, is usually attributed to French cuisine. It actually originated in the old kingdom of Lothringen, which was ruled by Germany in the 1870s.
The word, "quiche," is derived from the German "kuchen," meaning cake, and was originally a pastry shell or bread dough stuffed with egg cream custard and smoked bacon. French chefs added ingredients like spinach, cheese and onions, dubbing their creations with surnames like Lorraine or Alsacienne quiche.
Quiche still makes an elegant, tasty breakfast or brunch, and you can tailor it to your guests. One way to please the meat and potatoes fans and the gluten-free crowd is to make a potato crust. Add any of your favorite quiche ingredients on top of this potato layer for a hearty meal.
Basic Quiche ingredients
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup shredded cheese
1.5 cup Half-and-Half
Salt, pepper to taste
You'll want to stir in your favorite add-ons to the basic egg mixture: Ham and cheese, bacon and cheese, spinach and cheese, sausage and red pepper.
For cheese, choose the one you like best. Recommended cheeses for quiche include: Gruy're, Swiss, Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Feta, Parmesan, Monterey Jack. Shredded Parmesan is commonly recommended when you use spinach but mix in whatever you like.
The key to the crust is the potatoes. Natasha Kravchuk of Natasha's Kitchen recommends 1.5 pounds of creamy, yellow, Yukon gold potatoes. Select small round potatoes and boil skin-on until soft. Press and mash the potatoes, including skins, into your oven-safe skillet until you form an even crust on the bottom and sides. Kravchuk recommends using a glass measuring cup to mash and press the potatoes. They shouldn't end up smooth, but should be a little choppy. Pour the egg mixture on top. Tip: If you fry chopped bacon to use in your egg mixture, leave the extra bacon grease in your over-safe skillet, otherwise be sure to oil your skillet.
With all the ingredients added, bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until set and not jiggly. Let cool on rack for 15 minutes before serving.
Cups of fruit make a delicious and healthy side to accompany the dish.