Description
Ina Garten’s ham and cheese quiche combines creamy custard with savory ingredients in a flaky pastry crust. Rich flavors and classic French techniques make this quiche a delightful centerpiece you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ tbsps diced cooked ham
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ (14.1 oz / 400 g) package of refrigerated or frozen pie dough, thawed if frozen (or use homemade)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Roll pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate, pressing gently into the pan and creating crimped edges. Freeze the crust for 30 minutes to ensure firmness.
- Initial Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the chilled crust with parchment paper and fill with ceramic weights. Bake in the lower oven third for 20 minutes to set the foundation.
- Crust Finishing: Remove weights and parchment, then return to oven for 10-15 minutes until achieving a golden-brown complexion. Allow to cool momentarily.
- Egg Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs, dairy, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth and aerated, creating a silky custard base.
- Layering Flavors: Spread half the cheese across the cooled crust, distribute ham evenly, then top with remaining cheese to create a flavorful foundation.
- Custard Incorporation: Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the ham and cheese, ensuring complete and uniform coverage without overflowing.
- Final Baking and Resting: Bake for 30-40 minutes until edges are set and center has a slight wobble. Rest the quiche for 20 minutes before serving to allow perfect texture and structural stability.
Notes
- Precision Chilling: Freeze the pie crust for exactly 30 minutes to prevent shrinkage and maintain crisp edges during baking.
- Blind Baking Technique: Use ceramic weights or dried beans to prevent crust bubbling, ensuring a perfectly smooth and crisp base.
- Egg Mixture Mastery: Whisk eggs thoroughly until frothy and light, creating a silky smooth custard that guarantees a luxurious texture.
- Resting is Critical: Allow the quiche to rest for at least 20 minutes after baking, which helps set the filling and makes slicing clean and effortless.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 773 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg