California Quiche

Quiche Lorraine is delicious with its French Gruyère, bacon, cream, and caramelized onions. At our house, I like to make it “California Style” with sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and ham! It’s one of those easy French-influenced comfort foods, along with crêpes, Madeleines, Boeuf Bourguignon, or lentils & smoked sausage.

The kids love my quiche, and as a bonus, it comes in many healthy variations: low-fat, veggie- style with broccoli or spinach, Black Forest ham, bacon, or just plain ham chunks!

Use your imagination and the ingredients you have in your refrigerator, and it comes out tasty every time!

I am not a chef or a great cook (I just love to throw things in the oven and let the flavors develop with the spices, and I also get a thrill out of good, fast cooking and getting it done quickly under 15 minutes!) This California Quiche is such a hit with my two kids, and it is so simple to make! I have a confession to make. I don’t really measure, I just wing it or eye it! It takes me about 5 minutes, and we can enjoy a simple family brunch on the weekend without any fuss! Toss a salad with a vinaigrette, and presto, voilà, brunch, lunch, or dinner is served!

I can’t make just one; it goes too fast in our household, so here are the main ingredients for 2 “California Quiches.”

1 prepackaged frozen pie crust (2) (Pillsbury or other – flat or deep dish
1/2 lb of shredded sharp cheddar or Mozzarella
1/2 lb of ham
Caramelized onions (optional)
6 eggs
2 cups of low-fat milk
Salt & pepper
Dash of garlic powder
Dash of nutmeg

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and fill them into the pie crust!

For a crunchy dry crust, bake your crust in the oven for 5-6 minutes before filling.

Let it bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes!

To make a veggie-style variation of California Quiche, just brown your onions in a skillet with olive oil and add the thawed frozen spinach or broccoli florets, cut into little chunks, to add to the mix.

Let cool thoroughly! (If your kids let you! It’s even tastier the next day when it’s had a chance to settle…) and serve!

yummy! or miam! miam!