Herb Quiche

I question quiche recipes that have too many steps. Quiches are quite unfussy; the only aspect that requires any effort is sourcing high-quality ingredients. That’s how a quiche can be rustic yet fancy at the same time. This herb quiche is a masterclass in that balance. With just three steps and a premade pie crust, it’s quite easy to put together, but its integrity rests on the freshness of the ingredients. If possible, source the herbs from a garden or the farmers market, and shred or crumble all four cheeses directly from the block. (In other words, no bagged cheese shreds, please.)

Don’t wait for an annual brunch or special occasion to make this quiche. It’s easy enough for any weekend morning, so enjoy it now (especially if “now” is the springtime).

Ingredients for Herb Quiche

• Pie crust: Buy one of the best premade pie crusts from the store, or make your own tried-and-true pie crust recipe at home.
• Cheese: This herb quiche has four types of cheese: tangy feta, nutty Gruyere, milky mozzarella and funky Swiss. Together they’re a bold, creamy and undoubtedly cheesy addition to the quiche, complementing the eggy custard and offsetting the earthy and bright fresh herbs.
• Eggs: You’ll need five large eggs for this quiche.
• Half-and-half cream: The cream helps turn the eggs into a lovely, jiggly custard.
• Herbs: Fresh basil, parsley and dill shine in this herb quiche. It’s definitely worth using fresh, in-season herbs, but dried herbs work in a pinch. If using dried, reduce the quantities to 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of parsley and 1/2 teaspoon of dill.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the pie crust

Preheat the oven to 400°F and position a rack on the lowest part of the oven. Unroll the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Flute the edge or decorate it as desired. Sprinkle all four cheeses onto the bottom of the crust.

Step 2: Add the custard and herbs

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and half-and-half cream until they’re completely blended.

Stir in the minced herbs, then pour the mixture over the cheese.

Editor’s Tip: I highly recommend blending the eggs and half-and-half with an immersion blender for a perfectly smooth and silky custard. Stir in the herbs when you are done blending

Step 3: Bake the quiche

Bake the quiche for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the quiche stand at room temperature for 10 minutes (the hardest part!) before cutting it.

Recipe Variations

• Change the cheese: Feel free to replace one or more of the cheeses with goat cheese, Parmesan, cheddar, fontina or any other favorite. Only use one high-moisture cheese, though, or else your quiche will turn out watery.
• Include other herbs: Play around with the herb blend here and use what you like and what’s in season. Chives, thyme and tarragon would be great in this quiche. It may not be an herb, but a little lemon zest would make this quiche sing!
• Add spring vegetables: There’s room for all sorts of spring vegetables in this quiche, like spring onions, ramps, leeks, broccoli, asparagus, carrots or spinach. Saute them before adding them.
• Crumble in bacon: Succulent, salty bacon adds a little protein boost and kick of flavor. Crisp up the bacon, then crumble it into the custard just before it goes into the oven.
• Add more flavor: Dijon mustard has powerful flavor, and adds a pleasant zip and zing to quiches and French food in general. Whisk 1 or 2 teaspoons into the egg and cream mixture.

How to Store Herb Quiche

Once the quiche has cooled to room temperature, store leftover slices in an airtight container in the fridge. It can be kept for up to four days.

Can you freeze herb quiche?

No, I would not freeze this herb quiche (or any quiche, really). Custards become watery and generally unpleasant when thawed.

Herb Quiche Tips

Can you make herb quiche gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this herb quiche gluten-free simply by using a gluten-free pie crust. Or, make our potato crust quiche, and use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. For anyone especially sensitive to gluten, double-check that any packaged goods are certified gluten-free.

How can you decorate an herb quiche?

Decorate your herb quiche by garnishing it with edible flowers or any extra whole fresh herbs you may have. You can also keep it simple by serving each slice with a dollop of creme fraiche and a scattering of freshly minced chives.

How do you serve herb quiche?

You can serve the herb quiche warm, at room temperature or chilled. Pair it with other fancy breakfast ideas like almond croissants, a vibrant fruit salad, smoked salmon, million-dollar bacon or layered yogurt parfaits.