Elegant Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

Easy Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Indulgent crab quiche transforms an ordinary morning into a culinary celebration of oceanic flavors.

Seafood lovers crave this decadent dish that whispers elegance from the first bite.

Imagine a golden, flaky crust cradling tender, succulent crabmeat nestled in a silky custard.

Delicate herbs and premium cheese dance across your palate, creating a symphony of sophisticated taste.

Professional chefs and passionate home cooks cherish this recipe for its remarkable simplicity and stunning results.

The harmonious blend of creamy texture and marine richness makes every forkful a luxurious experience.

Get ready to impress your guests with this show-stopping brunch masterpiece that promises pure gastronomic delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 387 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

For Crust:
  • Pie Shell: Select a pre-made shell with a buttery, flaky texture that crumbles perfectly.
For Protein and Dairy:
  • Eggs, Crab Meat, Swiss Cheese: Choose farm-fresh eggs with bright yellow yolks, sustainable wild-caught crab meat with sweet delicate flavor, and artisan Swiss cheese with nutty undertones.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Heavy Cream, Onion, Salt, Black Pepper, Hot Sauce: Select organic heavy cream with rich consistency, sweet yellow onions with mild bite, high-quality sea salt with mineral notes, freshly ground black pepper with robust aroma, and a zesty hot sauce that adds gentle warmth.

Cooking Equipment for Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

  • Oven: Essential for preheating and baking the quiche to golden perfection.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining eggs, cream, and other filling ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure precise ingredient quantities for a balanced flavor.
  • Whisk or fork: Great for gently mixing eggs and cream until well blended.
  • Pie dish: Holds the delicate crust and creamy filling during baking.
  • Cooling rack: Allows the quiche to rest and set after baking without getting soggy.
  • Sharp knife: Ideal for slicing the quiche into clean, beautiful servings.
  • Spatula: Helps transfer quiche slices from dish to plate with ease.

Steps to Cook Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

Steps to Cook Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche
  • Warm Up the Cooking Space

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the ideal toasty environment for your seafood delight.

  • Craft the Perfect Crust

Gently lay out your pie shell and give it a quick golden tan in the oven for about 10 minutes. Let it cool down completely, creating a crisp foundation for your quiche.

  • Whip Together the Ocean-Inspired Filling

Grab a mixing bowl and blend fresh crab meat with creamy eggs, a splash of cream, and a sprinkle of Swiss cheese. Toss in some finely chopped onions and a dash of hot sauce to wake up your taste buds. Stir everything together until it’s beautifully combined.

  • Create Your Quiche Masterpiece

Pour the luscious filling into your cooled crust, making sure it spreads evenly like a smooth culinary canvas.

  • Bake and Transform

Slide your quiche into the oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch for a golden-kissed top and a perfectly set center. After baking, let the quiche rest in the warm oven for an extra 20-30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to mingle and settle.

  • Serve with Love

Carefully retrieve your quiche, let it cool for a moment, then slice and serve. This versatile dish works magic for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dinner that’ll make everyone at the table smile.

Tips to Modify Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

Tips to Modify Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

Swap out crab meat for other proteins like crispy bacon, diced ham, or sautéed shrimp to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Replace seafood with roasted bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini chunks for a delightful meat-free version that’s equally satisfying and nutritious.

Use store-bought pie shells for convenience or experiment with homemade pastry dough, including gluten-free options made from almond or coconut flour for those with dietary restrictions.

Wrap leftover quiche tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy crust and preserve the creamy texture.

Creative Ways to Serve Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Create a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy quiche flavors.
  • Complement with Chilled White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that enhances the delicate crab and Swiss cheese notes in the quiche.
  • Garnish with Herbal Touch: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top to add bright color and subtle aromatic freshness to the dish.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Offer a side of warm, crusty French bread or artisan sourdough to soak up the quiche's creamy texture and provide a delightful contrast.

Plan Ahead with Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche

  • Preserve Freshness: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its delectable taste and texture.
  • Freeze Smart: Wrap individual slices or the entire quiche tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a quick and delicious meal is always ready.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated quiche in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 30-45 seconds to restore its original mouthwatering flavor and creamy consistency.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the quiche in advance and portion into individual servings for easy grab-and-go breakfasts or quick weeknight dinners, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.
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Elegant Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

Elegant Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Barefoot Contessa crab quiche merges coastal elegance with classic French technique. Luxurious crabmeat nestles in a creamy custard, promising delectable comfort for discerning palates you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8 oz / 226 g) imitation crabmeat, flaked
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (100 g) Swiss cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 (9-inch) deep-dish frozen pie crust
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 3 dashes hot pepper sauce
  • 1 stalk green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal thermal environment for baking the quiche.
  2. Pie Shell Transformation: Toast pie shell until achieving a delicate golden complexion, approximately 10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack to preserve structural integrity.
  3. Egg Foundation: Whisk eggs into a silky, uniform emulsion, establishing the core custard base for the quiche.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Blend heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, and hot sauce into the egg mixture, creating a nuanced flavor profile that enhances the delicate crab meat.
  5. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold crab meat, Swiss cheese, and white onions into the egg custard, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients that promises a harmonious texture and taste in every bite.
  6. Quiche Assembly: Pour the enriched mixture into the pre-baked pie shell, spreading evenly to guarantee consistent cooking and presentation.
  7. Baking Alchemy: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece with a slightly firm central region, indicating perfect doneness.
  8. Resting Phase: After removing from oven, allow quiche to settle for 20-30 minutes with oven door closed, enabling the custard to set and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
  9. Serving Finale: Let quiche rest briefly, then slice and serve while maintaining optimal warmth and textural integrity.

Notes

  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Pre-bake the pie shell to create a crisp, sturdy base that won’t become wet from the creamy filling.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Watch for a golden-brown top and a center that’s slightly firm but not completely solid to ensure perfect texture.
  • Rest for Creamy Perfection: Letting the quiche sit in the turned-off oven helps it set smoothly and develops a luxurious, silky consistency.
  • Enhance Flavor Balance: Adjust seasonings like hot sauce and black pepper to complement the delicate crab meat without overpowering its natural sweetness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 387
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 594 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 200 mg
Sophia Rivera

Sophia Rivera

Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Seasonal and Local Ingredient Utilization
  • Dessert Menu Planning
  • Culinary Event Coordination

Education

Austin Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.

San Antonio Culinary Institute

  • Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
  • Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.

Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. 

Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.

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