A ham and cheese quiche is a delightful dish that combines the savory flavors of ham and cheese in a creamy egg custard, all nestled in a flaky pie crust. This versatile dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner. With its rich and satisfying taste, it's sure to be a hit with family and friends. Plus, it's easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite ingredients, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Most of the ingredients for this ham and cheese quiche are common pantry staples, but if you don't usually keep diced ham or shredded cheese on hand, you'll want to pick those up at the supermarket. Look for ham in the deli section or pre-packaged in the refrigerated aisle. For the cheese, you can choose your favorite variety, such as cheddar, Swiss, or even a blend. A pre-made or homemade pie crust is essential for this recipe, so be sure to have one ready.
Ingredients For Ham And Cheese Quiche
Ham: Diced ham adds a savory and slightly salty flavor to the quiche, providing a nice contrast to the creamy egg mixture.
Cheddar: Shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully, adding a rich and tangy taste to the quiche. You can use other cheeses if preferred.
Eggs: Eggs form the base of the custard, binding the ingredients together and giving the quiche its classic texture.
Milk: Milk is combined with the eggs to create a smooth and creamy custard filling.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the quiche, balancing the richness of the cheese and ham.
Black pepper: A pinch of black pepper adds a subtle hint of spice, complementing the savory ingredients.
Pie crust: A pre-made or homemade pie crust serves as the vessel for the quiche, providing a flaky and buttery base.
Technique Tip for Perfecting This Quiche
For a richer flavor, consider sautéing the diced ham in a pan for a few minutes before adding it to the egg mixture. This will enhance the savory taste and add a slight caramelization to the ham, elevating the overall flavor profile of your quiche.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
diced ham - Substitute with diced turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and protein content, making it a suitable alternative for those avoiding pork.
diced ham - Substitute with smoked tofu: Smoked tofu offers a plant-based option with a smoky flavor that mimics ham.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with gruyère cheese: Gruyère melts well and has a nutty flavor that complements quiche.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: For a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor without the cheese.
eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg for a vegan alternative.
eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Blend silken tofu to create a creamy texture similar to eggs, suitable for vegan diets.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that maintains the quiche's creamy consistency.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a subtle sweetness to the quiche.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor without altering the quiche's appearance.
pie crust - Substitute with gluten-free pie crust: A gluten-free crust is ideal for those with gluten sensitivities or preferences.
pie crust - Substitute with phyllo dough: Phyllo dough offers a lighter, flaky alternative to traditional pie crust.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Quiche
How to Store or Freeze This Quiche
Allow the freshly baked quiche to cool to room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can make the crust soggy.
Wrap the quiche tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure that it's completely covered to maintain its freshness and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
For short-term storage, place the wrapped quiche in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weekdays.
If you plan to enjoy the quiche later, consider freezing it. First, wrap it in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn.
Label the package with the date of freezing. This is a handy tip to keep track of how long it's been stored, ensuring you enjoy it at its best quality.
When you're ready to indulge in your quiche, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain its texture and flavor.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove any wrapping and place the quiche on a baking sheet. Cover it loosely with foil to prevent the crust from over-browning, and heat for about 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.
For a quick reheat, you can also use the microwave. Slice the quiche into individual portions and heat on medium power to avoid rubbery eggs.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover quiche on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from over-browning. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps maintain the quiche's flaky crust and creamy filling.
For a quicker option, use a microwave. Slice the quiche into individual portions and place a slice on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 300°F (150°C). Place the quiche slice in the basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method can help keep the crust crisp while warming the filling evenly.
For a stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet over low heat. Place a slice of quiche in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat gently for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the steam to warm the quiche without drying it out.
Essential Tools for Making This Quiche
Oven: Used to bake the quiche at a consistent temperature, ensuring it cooks evenly and achieves a golden brown top.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl where you whisk together the eggs and milk and combine them with the ham and cheese.
Whisk: A tool used to beat or stir the eggs and milk together until they are well combined.
Pie crust: A pre-made or homemade crust that serves as the base for the quiche, holding all the ingredients together.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the milk accurately to ensure the right consistency of the quiche filling.
Knife: Utilized for dicing the ham into small, uniform pieces.
Cutting board: A surface on which you can safely dice the ham.
Oven mitts: Protective gloves used to safely handle the hot quiche and baking dish when removing them from the oven.
Baking dish: A dish that holds the pie crust and quiche filling while baking in the oven.
Cooling rack: A wire rack where the quiche can cool slightly before slicing, allowing air to circulate around it.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Quiche
Prepare ingredients ahead: Dice the ham and shred the cheese the night before to save time in the morning.
Use pre-made crust: Opt for a store-bought pie crust to skip the hassle of making one from scratch.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze one quiche for a quick meal later.
Quick whisking: Use a blender to mix eggs and milk for a smoother consistency in seconds.
Preheat efficiently: Start preheating the oven while preparing the filling to save time.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or your choice
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 pie crust pre-made or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Add the diced ham, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper to the egg mixture. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the quiche is set and golden brown on top.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
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