Description
Ina Garten’s asparagus quiche blends elegant French culinary traditions with fresh seasonal produce. Creamy eggs, crisp pastry, and tender asparagus create a perfect brunch centerpiece you will savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 8-inch unbaked pie shells
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 10 slices bacon
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) half-and-half cream
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Oven: Position rack in center and preheat to 400°F (200°C) for optimal baking environment.
- Asparagus Treatment: Steam asparagus in boiling water until tender-crisp, then pat dry and set aside for later incorporation.
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, drain on paper towels, and crumble into small pieces.
- Pie Shell Layering: Brush pie shells with egg white, create a strategic base layer by evenly distributing crumbled bacon, cooled asparagus, and shredded cheese.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper into a smooth, luxurious mixture that will bind the quiche components.
- Baking Finale: Pour custard over layered ingredients, bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until center sets and top achieves a golden, slightly puffy appearance. Rest at room temperature before serving to stabilize texture and enhance flavor profile.
Notes
- Prep Asparagus Perfectly: Steam asparagus just until tender-crisp to maintain its vibrant color and prevent overcooking, which can make it mushy and lose nutritional value.
- Bacon Technique: Render bacon slowly over medium-high heat to achieve maximum crispness and extract rich, smoky flavor without burning the meat.
- Egg Wash Secret: Brushing pie crust with egg white creates a protective moisture barrier, keeping the bottom crust crisp and preventing soggy texture.
- Baking Precision: Watch the quiche carefully during final 10 minutes of baking; a slightly puffy, golden top indicates perfect doneness without overcooking the delicate custard.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg