Quiche

Quiche is a type of pie or tart that originated from France. It is made by combining eggs, milk or cream, and various fillings such as cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetables, and then baking the mixture in a pastry crust. The most famous variant is the Quiche Lorraine, which includes bacon and Gruyère cheese.

History

The quiche is believed to have originated in the Lorraine region of France, hence the name Quiche Lorraine. The word 'quiche' itself is derived from the German 'Kuchen', meaning cake. The dish was popularized in the United States in the 1950s and has since become a staple in many other countries around the world.

Preparation

The base of a quiche is a pastry crust, usually made from flour, butter, water, and a pinch of salt. The crust is blind baked before the filling is added to prevent it from becoming soggy.

The filling for a quiche is made from a custard base of eggs and milk or cream. To this base, a variety of other ingredients can be added. In a traditional Quiche Lorraine, this would be bacon and Gruyère cheese. However, other popular fillings include spinach, mushrooms, onions, and various types of cheese.

Once the filling has been added to the crust, the quiche is baked until the custard is set. This usually takes around 30-40 minutes.

Variations

There are many variations of quiche, both in terms of the crust and the filling. Some quiches are made with a crust of potato or bread instead of pastry. There are also crustless quiches, which are a popular choice for those following a low-carb diet.

In terms of filling, the possibilities are almost endless. Some popular variations include Quiche Florentine (with spinach and cheese), Quiche aux Champignons (with mushrooms), and Quiche au Saumon (with salmon).

See also

• List of pies, tarts and flans
• French cuisine
• Custard

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