This recipe is a guide map to a host of other quiche combinations. A traditional Lorraine of bacon, and Gruyere with a twist of Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Mission Fig morsels would be lovely here too, but what we really love about this crustless quiche is serving this Easter brunch recipe as a main dish you can bake the day before. Fennel and golden figs come alive when sautéed in brown butter and white pepper adds a subtle heat. One thing to note, we pump up the heat high at first to kickstart the cooking, setting the edges of the crustless quiche and adding a touch of color. Turning the heat down then allows the make ahead quiche to continue cooking until set in the middle.
Crustless Quiche with Fennel + Figs
Nutrition
Servings 10 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 fennel bulb cored and thinly shaved or sliced (reserve fronds)
- 1 1/2 cups Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs stemmed and sliced lengthwise, divided
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt divided
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 8 eggs large
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese freshly grated, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Mist a pie pan with cooking spray or lightly grease.
- Brown butter in a skillet set over medium heat, whisking and keeping an eye on the butter to ensure it doesn’t burn—butter will smell nutty and be the color of hazelnuts when it’s done. Toss in fennel, 1 cup sliced figs, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and white pepper. Cook until fennel softens, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
- Meanwhile, lightly beat eggs. Whisk in milk and cream with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in 3/4 of the grated Parmesan, reserving the rest. Add in figs and fennel, stirring to combine. Pour into prepared pie plate. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Then, turn heat down to 375°F and remove quiche from the oven to scatter fennel fronds and dot remaining fig slices on top. Immediately place it back in the oven to cook for 20 minutes, covering with foil at the 15-minute mark if the top is golden. Quiche is done when set and the middle doesn’t jiggle. Cool for 5 minutes before tipping onto a serving plate, slicing and eating.
Notes
Recipe and photos by Annelies Zijderveld
