Quiche Lorraine is delicious with its French Gruyère, bacon, cream, and caramelized onions but at our house, I like to make it  “California Style” with sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella and ham!  It’s one of those easy French Influence 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 it will come out tasty!

I am not a chef or great cook ( I love to just 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 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! Add a salad and presto, voilà!

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

• 1 prepackaged frozen pie crusts (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 it into the pie crust!

For a crunchy dry crust bottom / bake your crust in the oven for 5-6 minutes.

Let cook at 350 degrees about 30 minutes!

To make a veggie-style variation  California Quiche,  just brown your onions in a skillet with olive oil and add thawed frozen spinach fully seasoned or broccoli cut in little chunks to add to 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!