Richer Than Lorraine: Cheese Onion Quiche

This quiche goes beyond the notable quiche Lorraine. It has crisp bacon bits and a custard filling, but also quickly caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and chives. Make it a day ahead if you’d like, then gently reheat it to serve warm or at room temperature.

A quiche is best baked in a metal quiche pan or springform pan with a removable bottom. That makes it easy to remove and transfer to a serving platter. Since a quiche is rich, I like to pair it with a refreshing salad--here, a shredded carrot and radish mixture. Dessert is a wonderful compote of prunes stewed in red wine and Port.

For a shortcut when making the quiche, you can use refrigerated, ready-to-roll pie crust that can be rolled to fit the pan and baked according to the directions on the package.

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Quiche With Bacon and Gruyere Cheese

Active Work Time: 45 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 2 hours plus 3 hours cooling

PASTRY

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces, chilled

1 egg

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups flour

Place the butter, egg, sugar, milk and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on/off until the butter is coarsely chopped. Spoon the flour evenly over the butter. Process just until the dough is crumbly and beginning to cohere but not in a ball (overprocessing will toughen the dough). Transfer the dough to a work surface. Gather the dough together and knead it, folding it back on itself, until it’s in a smooth ball. Flatten it into a disk. Wrap the dough in plastic; refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. (It can also be frozen up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator.)

Let the chilled dough rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling. Roll the dough on a well-floured surface into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Do not roll it too thin; it tastes better thicker. Transfer it to a 9-inch quiche or springform pan (1 to 1 1/2 inches deep) with a removable bottom. Press it into place without stretching the dough. Trim the pastry edge for a 1-inch overhang. (Reserve any pastry scraps for patching later.) Fold the overhang inside to form double-thick sides. Press this dough firmly into place, pushing the crust up 1/4 inch above the edge of the pan to allow for any shrinkage during baking. Refrigerate until the dough is firm, about 1 hour (or freeze briefly). Line the shell with parchment paper or foil; fill with dried beans.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Bake until the dough is starting to set, about 16 to 18 minutes. Carefully lift out the paper and beans; continue to bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes more. Patch any cracks with thin scraps of the reserved dough; it is not necessary to bake patches. The shell can be filled while still hot from the oven.

FILLING

3 thick slices applewood-smoked, lightly salted bacon, diced small

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 teaspoons water

3 small onions, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground white pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon flour

3/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup milk (regular or 2%)

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

1 tablespoon minced chives

Place the bacon and 1/2 cup of water in a nonstick skillet. Bring to boil, then drain off the water. Cook the bacon over medium-high heat until browned, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Set aside.

In the same pan, combine the oil, water, onions, salt and pepper to taste; cook over medium-high heat, covered, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Uncover, add the sugar and cook until lightly browned, about 4 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cream, milk, eggs and reserved bacon.

Carefully ladle the filling into the baked crust; use a fork to evenly distribute the onions and bacon. Sprinkle evenly with the cheese, then the chives (or if making ahead, sprinkle with chives when reheating to keep their bright color).

Place the quiche on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees until browned and puffy, about 35 to 40 minutes.Cool on a rack at least 10 minutes before serving. (The quiche can be cooled completely and refrigerated overnight. Before reheating, let it come to room temperature. Reheat at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.)

To serve, transfer the quiche from pan to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges.

6 servings. Each serving: 534 calories; 947 mg sodium; 258 mg cholesterol; 48 grams fat; 26 grams saturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 17 grams protein; 1.08 grams fiber.

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Carrot and Radish Salad

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

2 large carrots, peeled, shredded in food processor

1/2-pound piece daikon radish, peeled, shredded in processor

2 green onions, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper

3 cups small greens (baby spinach, romaine or bibb lettuce), crisped

Place the carrots, radish and green onions in a bowl. Use your hands to mix.

Place the vinegar, oil, parsley, honey, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Mix well. Add to the salad. Toss well. Taste; adjust the seasoning. (This can be made a day ahead and refrigerated.) To serve, stir the salad and drain off the liquid. Arrange the greens in little mounds; top with the salad.

6 servings. Each serving: 84 calories; 230 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 5 grams fat; 0 saturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 2.93 grams fiber.

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Stewed Prunes in Port Syrup

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes plus 2 days chilling

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 piece vanilla bean, 3 inches long, split

3 3/4 cups pitted prunes

1/2 cup ruby Port

1/2 cup dry red wine

2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest

Combine the sugar, water and vanilla bean in a small saucepan. Boil 5 minutes. (The syrup can be made 1 week ahead and refrigerated. Remove the vanilla bean before using.)

Put the syrup, prunes, Port, red wine and zest in a nonaluminum saucepan. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer; cook, uncovered, 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

Cover airtight; refrigerate for at least 2 days or up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled.

6 to 8 servings. Each of 8 servings: 160 calories; 4 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 0 saturated fat; 39 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 7.73 grams fiber.