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 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 or just plain ham chunks! Just use your imagination!

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 week-end without any fuss! Add a salad and presto, voilà!

The main ingredients for 2 “California Quiche”:

( I can’t make just one! it goes too fast in our household!)

1 prepackaged frozen pie crusts (2)

(Pillsbury or other – flat or deep dish)

1/2 lb of shredded sharp cheddar

or Mozzarella works too

1/2 lb of ham

onions  (optional)

6 eggs

2 cups of low-fat milk

salt & pepper

a dash of garlic powder

a dash of nutmeg

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

(for a crunchy dry crust  bottom / preheat  your crust  in 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. For broccoli just defrost and 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 had a chance to settle…) and  serve!

yummy! or miam!  miam!