FOOLPROOF QUICHE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Pre-bake the crust: Roll dough to fit slightly larger than a 9-inch fluted tart pan. Press dough into fluted edges of pan, trimming off excess pieces if needed. Poke several holes in the crust with a fork. Line crust with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Remove weights and foil, and bake 5 more minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet on a wire rack (about 15 minutes). Reduce oven temperature to 375°. Cook the mushrooms: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in oil, add mushrooms, and saute until softened and browned, about 5 minutes. Set aside. Prepare the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, chives, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Assemble the quiche: Spoon the mushrooms, bacon, and cheese into the crust. Pour in egg mixture and carefully transfer to oven. Bake until set (a knife inserted into the center should come out clean), about 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes. Cut into 6 wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.  

Steps:

• For the pastry, put 175g plain flour, 100g cold butter, cut into pieces, 1 egg yolk and 4 tsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button, process until the mix binds.
• Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather into a smooth ball, then roll out as thinly as you can.
• Line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottomed, fluted flan tin, easing the pastry into the base.
• Trim the pastry edges with scissors (save any trimmings) so it sits slightly above the tin (if it shrinks, it shouldn’t now go below the level of the tin). Press the pastry into the flutes, lightly prick the base with a fork, then chill for 10 mins.
• Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line pastry case with foil, shiny side down, fill with dry beans and bake on the hot sheet for 15 mins.
• Remove foil and beans and bake for 4-5 mins more until the pastry is pale golden. If you notice any small holes or cracks, patch up with pastry trimmings. You can make up to this point a day ahead.
• While the pastry cooks, prepare the filling. Heat a small frying pan, tip in 200g lardons and fry for a couple of mins. Drain off any liquid that comes out, then continue cooking until the lardons just start to colour, but aren’t crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Cut three quarters of the 50g gruyère into small dice and finely grate the rest. Scatter the diced gruyère and fried lardons over the bottom of the pastry case.
• Using a spoon, beat 200ml crème fraîche to slacken it then slowly beat in 200ml double cream. Mix in 3 well beaten eggs. Season (you shouldn’t need much salt) and add a pinch of ground nutmeg. Pour three quarters of the filling into the pastry case.
• Half-pull the oven shelf out and put the flan tin on the baking sheet. Quickly pour the rest of the filling into the pastry case – you get it right to the top this way. Scatter the grated cheese over the top, then carefully push the shelf back into the oven.
• Lower the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Bake for about 25 mins, or until golden and softly set (the centre should not feel too firm).
• Let the quiche settle for 4-5 mins, then remove from the tin. Serve freshly baked, although it’s also good cold.