Deep-Dish Spinach, Leek and Bacon Quiche
User Reviews
4.5
Deep-Dish Spinach, Leek and Bacon Quiche
Description
Starting with a cold butter and cream cheese pastry dough, the crust is gently mixed until it forms pea-sized pieces of flour-coated butter and cream cheese, then chilled and rolled out to line a deep pie pan. This results in a tender, flaky crust enhanced by the tang of cream cheese. The filling is prepared by cooking diced bacon until crispy, then sautéing leeks and combining them with fresh spinach and shredded Havarti cheese.
The filling custard is made from eggs combined with yogurt, whole milk, and seasonings including white pepper and nutmeg for warmth. This mixture is poured over the bacon and vegetables in the crust before baking. The quiche bakes until set with a golden top and soft, smooth interior. The bacon adds smoky richness while the leeks and spinach provide mild sweetness and earthiness. Havarti cheese melts to create a creamy texture and mild flavor.
This quiche fits well as a satisfying brunch or lunch, paired with a light salad or fresh fruit. It can be reheated wrapped in foil to maintain moisture. The recipe suggests freezing the pastry shell before baking to help maintain its structure. Warm it thoroughly before serving for best texture and flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Pastry Shell:
- 10 ounces butter very cold and cut into chunks, unsalted
- 10 ounces cream cheese , very cold and cut into chunks
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 ounces all-purpose flour
- 4 pounds beans these are not to be eaten and can be reused for another time, uncooked, for baking
For the Quiche Filling:
- 1 pound Bacon , cut into large dice
- 1 cup leek white parts and light green only (about 1 small leek
- 6 cups spinach leaves
- 8 ounces havarti cheese , shredded
- 6 large egg
- 2 cups yogurt fat-free, low fat or whole, plain, Greek
- 1 cup milk whole
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
For the Cream Cheese Pastry Shell:
- Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with a paddle attachment until combined. Add the flour to the bowl, sprinkle with the kosher salt and combine on low speed until just combined and the flour is in pieces the size of peas.
- Dump onto a clean surface sprinkled with flour and mold into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll out into a 15-inch circle, moving the dough in a circular fashion each time you make a pass or two with the rolling pin so it doesn't stick. Add more flour under the dough as needed.
- Carefully roll the dough around the rolling pin and transfer to a 9-inch pan with a removable bottom. Gently press into the pan and leave at least a ½ inch or more overhang. Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork. Freeze in the pan for 2 hours or overnight.
For Assembling the Quiche:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place a baking sheet on the bottom rack of your oven to catch any drippings that may occur.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat stirring occasionally until the bacon is lightly browned. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate covered with a paper towel for the bacon to drain and cool.
- Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings and cook the sliced leeks until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the spinach in batches and cook until it has wilted and cooked down. Remove from the heat and cool.
- Pull the frozen pie crust from the freezer and line it with parchment paper and fill the entire pan with the uncooked beans to the very top of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden brown.
- Remove the beans and parchment paper and then layer the partly cooked pie crust with the cheese, bacon and the spinach and leek mixture, reserving 1 tablespoon or so of each ingredient.
- Add the eggs, milk, yogurt, white pepper and ground nutmeg to a blender and blend until frothy. Pour the custard over the layered ingredients in the pan. Sprinkle with the reserved ingredients.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and bake for 1 ½ hours or until the top is lightly browned and custard is just set in the middle (165 degrees F). If the top is getting too browned and inside isn't yet cooked, tent with aluminum foil and cook in additional 10 minute increments.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then use a serrated knife to cut the crust flush with the top of the pan. Cool for another 30 minutes in the pan then carefully remove the pan ring. Cut into wedges and serve or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Notes
- To reheat, wrap quiche in foil and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
- Freeze the pastry shell before blind baking to help keep it from shrinking.
- Sauté the bacon and leeks thoroughly to develop flavor before adding to custard.
- Use plain Greek yogurt or any yogurt of your choice to adjust creaminess and tang.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8-10 slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 985 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 985kcal | 49% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 77g | 118% |
| Saturated Fat | 40g | 200% |
| Cholesterol | 341mg | 114% |
| Sodium | 856mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 549mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 4182IU | 84% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 367mg | 37% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.