Bacon, Leek, and Gruyere Quiche Recipe

Bacon, Leek, and Gruyere Quiche is a savory and satisfying dish that’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet leeks, and rich Gruyere cheese in a creamy egg custard, all baked in a flaky pastry crust, makes for a delicious meal. Here’s a simple recipe to make this delightful quiche:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade if you prefer)

For the Filling:

• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• Fresh herbs (like thyme or chives) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Crust:
   • If using a store-bought pie crust, fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. If you’re using a homemade crust, roll it out and place it in the pan. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling.
3. Blind Bake the Crust:
   • Place a piece of parchment paper over the crust and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until slightly golden. Remove the parchment and weights, and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Prepare the Filling

4. Cook the Bacon:
   • In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
5. Sauté the Leeks:
   • In the same skillet, add the sliced leeks and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Assemble the Quiche

6. Whisk the Eggs:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
7. Combine Ingredients:
   • Stir in the cooked bacon, sautéed leeks, and grated Gruyere cheese into the egg mixture.
8. Fill the Crust:
   • Pour the filling mixture into the pre-baked pie crust, spreading it evenly.

Bake the Quiche

9. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly golden.
10. Cool:
    • Let the quiche cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This will help it set further.

Serve

11. Garnish:
    • Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

• Storage: Leftover quiche can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage; just reheat in the oven when ready to serve.
• Variations: Feel free to add other ingredients like spinach, mushrooms, or different cheeses for added flavor.

Enjoy your delicious Bacon, Leek, and Gruyere Quiche as a delightful meal that is sure to impress your family and friends!