Although you may think that French cuisine is made up of intricate courses, it also has many easy recipes that are delicious. Top of the list: "la quiche"!
The purpose of this article is to dot the i's and cross the t's to have a better understanding of quiche as a recipe and as a French cultural mainstay, as it is one of the favorite dishes of French people.
What is “la quiche”?
La “quiche" is a savory French custard-like pie that can be served as a main dish, a side dish, or even as an appetizer. Historical records indicate that it originated in the German kingdom of Lothringen, which is the present-day region of Lorraine in Northeastern France. Quiche has since been exported beyond French borders and is considered one of the quintessential emblems of French gastronomy.
Quiche is easy to cook and requires a relatively short prep time. It can be suitable for a variety of occasions, whether you're having an easter brunch with friends, family, and loved ones, or want a simple, light yet delicious dinner following a long day at work.
The key ingredients of every quiche recipe are the following: eggs, crème fraîche or cream, a tasty pie crust, and cheese as a base. Quiche is a "versatile" recipe that accommodates a wide range of personal preferences. Quiche fillings can be prepared, for both vegetarians gourmet options and omnivores. The famous, yet timeless classic quiche Lorraine, or the spinach and goat cheese quiche, can be found in practically every good French bakery.
What to serve quiche with?
As previously stated, quiche can be served as a main dish or as a side dish and it's often served with a variety of accompaniments. For a healthy dinner, some popular options include a simple green salad, roasted or steamed vegetables, or a salad with mixed greens.
To complete the meal, quiche can be served with a light soup and a bowl of fruit.
How to serve quiche at a party?
As mentioned before, quiche can be a great option for parties! Whether you serve it as an appetizer or a main dish, quiche can either be cooked ahead of time and served warm, cold, or at room temperature. By serving different types of quiche, you will also give your guests the opportunity to try several recipes and can accommodate their dietary restrictions like serving gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan iterations of quiche.
For more convenience, cut the quiche into small slices or bite-sized pieces which will be easier for your guests to grab and feast on them. You can also order from your French caterer small quiches for individual serving!
Can you use goat cheese in quiche?
You guessed it: the answer is a resounding yes! There are so many ways to cook a quiche using goat cheese. You can start with a very simple quiche recipe: asparagus, goat cheese, and the basic ingredients found in any type of quiche, eggs, and cream. Serve your quiche with a green salad and voilà! You have a healthy and delicious meal.
To help you bring a taste of the French Riviera, try quiche with sun-dried tomatoes and herbes de Provence spices for example. Quiche can also be cooked without goat cheese. For instance, Quiche Lorraine, one of the most famous iterations of Quiche, does not contain goat cheese. The same thing applies to bacon and leek quiche, which is undoubtedly one of the tastier renditions of quiche as a recipe!
Can you freeze a quiche?
Yes! Are you looking for meals that you can cook ahead of time and then freeze? Quiche as a recipe definitely falls into that category. In addition to its delicious taste, quiche can be stored very easily, and can even be frozen! Let's say you've tried a quiche with goat cheese and fresh spinach and want to keep the last slice for later. Just let the quiche cool down, wrap it tightly with plastic film and place it in a box. Once stored in the freezer, it will be good for up to two months.
When you're ready to thaw it, you can reheat it for 20 to 30 minutes on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350° F. Keep in mind that the exact reheating time will vary depending on the size of your quiche. As a rule of thumb, it is preferable to opt for a traditional oven instead of a microwave in order to keep the pie crust crispy. Serve warm or cold according to your preferences. You can also thaw overnight your quiche with goat cheese and eat it the next day. It’s even possible to buy frozen quiche. It is a common meal produced by many French caterers in the United States, which has helped expand the popularity of French delicacies across the Atlantic.
How to reduce the number of calories in a quiche?
For obvious reasons, veggie quiches tend to have fewer calories than meaty quiches. These vegetarian recipes also make it possible to limit saturated and trans fat, which are particularly found in meat. For your next quiche, opt for goat cheese, spinach, and thyme veggie-friendly quiches.
Ultimately, quiche is a timeless dish. Whether you buy it or decide to prepare it yourself, its crispy pastry and golden filling will delight your famished guests. It can be cooked in many different ways depending on your tastes and eating habits. Try it, it won’t disappoint!
Bon appétit!