Simple Broccoli and Brie Quiche: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Quiche is one of those dishes that always seems impressive, yet it’s surprisingly easy to make. This simple broccoli and brie quiche elevates the classic quiche with creamy brie cheese and nutritious broccoli, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. The combination of earthy broccoli, rich brie, and a flaky crust is simply irresistible. This recipe is designed to be approachable for cooks of all skill levels, using readily available ingredients and straightforward instructions. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and delicious quiche that your friends and family will love.
## Why This Recipe Works
This broccoli and brie quiche recipe is a winner for several reasons:
* **Simple Ingredients:** The ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores, and there are no complicated techniques required.
* **Easy to Customize:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding other vegetables, cheeses, or spices.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** The quiche can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it perfect for entertaining.
* **Delicious Flavor Combination:** The creamy brie and earthy broccoli complement each other perfectly, creating a balanced and satisfying flavor profile.
* **Versatile:** This quiche can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these ingredients:
**For the Crust:**
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/4 cup ice water
**For the Filling:**
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 4 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into small pieces
* Optional: pinch of nutmeg
## Equipment
You’ll also need the following equipment:
* 9-inch pie plate
* Mixing bowls
* Rolling pin
* Whisk
* Skillet
* Measuring cups and spoons
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make this delicious broccoli and brie quiche:
### 1. Make the Crust
This recipe uses a simple homemade pie crust, but you can also use a store-bought crust to save time. Here’s how to make the crust from scratch:
1. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a flaky crust. The smaller the butter pieces, the flakier the crust. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.
3. **Add ice water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make it tough.
4. **Form the dough:** Gently form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
5. **Roll out the dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Be sure to flour the surface and your rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.
6. **Transfer to pie plate:** Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the plate.
7. **Trim and crimp the edges:** Trim any excess dough from the edges of the pie plate. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers to create a decorative border. This helps to seal the crust and prevent it from shrinking during baking.
8. **Pre-bake the crust (optional but recommended):** For a crispier crust, pre-bake the crust before adding the filling. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. This will prevent the crust from puffing up during baking. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Remove the parchment paper and pie weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is set. Let the crust cool slightly before adding the filling. If you choose not to pre-bake, you might want to dock the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much.
### 2. Prepare the Filling
While the crust is chilling or pre-baking, prepare the filling:
1. **Sauté the onion and broccoli:** Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped broccoli florets and cook until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cooking the broccoli before adding it to the quiche ensures that it will be tender and flavorful.
2. **Whisk the eggs and cream:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The cream and milk add richness and creaminess to the quiche, while the eggs provide structure and help it to set properly.
### 3. Assemble the Quiche
Now it’s time to assemble the quiche:
1. **Layer the filling:** Sprinkle the cooked onion and broccoli mixture evenly over the bottom of the pre-baked or unbaked pie crust. Distribute the brie cheese pieces evenly over the broccoli mixture. The brie will melt and create pockets of creamy goodness throughout the quiche.
2. **Pour in the egg mixture:** Carefully pour the egg mixture over the broccoli and brie cheese. Make sure the egg mixture is evenly distributed throughout the pie plate.
### 4. Bake the Quiche
Time to bake the quiche to perfection:
1. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the top is golden brown. The center of the quiche should be slightly wobbly but not liquid. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil. Insert a knife into the center; it should come out mostly clean.
2. **Cool:** Let the quiche cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set completely and makes it easier to cut. The quiche can be served warm or at room temperature.
## Tips for Success
* **Use cold butter for the crust:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky crust. The cold butter creates pockets of steam as it bakes, resulting in layers of flaky dough.
* **Don’t overmix the dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
* **Pre-bake the crust:** Pre-baking the crust will help prevent it from becoming soggy from the filling.
* **Use good quality brie:** The quality of the brie cheese will affect the flavor of the quiche. Use a good quality, creamy brie for the best results.
* **Don’t overbake the quiche:** Overbaking the quiche will make the filling dry and rubbery. The quiche is done when the center is slightly wobbly but not liquid.
* **Let the quiche cool:** Letting the quiche cool before slicing and serving allows the filling to set completely and makes it easier to cut.
## Variations
This recipe is easily customizable. Here are a few variations you can try:
* **Add other vegetables:** You can add other vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus to the filling.
* **Use different cheeses:** You can substitute the brie cheese with other cheeses such as Gruyere, Swiss, or cheddar.
* **Add meat:** You can add cooked bacon, ham, or sausage to the filling.
* **Spice it up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a little heat.
* **Herb it up:** Add fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or chives to the filling.
## Serving Suggestions
This broccoli and brie quiche is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:
* A side salad
* Fresh fruit
* A cup of soup
* Toast or croissants
## Make-Ahead Instructions
This quiche can be made ahead of time and reheated. To make ahead:
* **Assemble the quiche:** Prepare the crust and filling according to the recipe instructions. Assemble the quiche but do not bake it.
* **Refrigerate:** Cover the quiche with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
* **Bake:** When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the quiche for 40-50 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the top is golden brown.
## Storage Instructions
Store leftover quiche in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
* Calories: Approximately 400-500 per slice (depending on portion size and ingredients used)
* Fat: 30-40g
* Protein: 15-20g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g
## Enjoy!
This simple broccoli and brie quiche is a delightful and easy way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, lunch, or dinner, it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy, and flavorful goodness of this homemade quiche!