Quiche Lorraine

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Quiche Lorraine is a classic French savory tart packed with gruyere cheese, bacon and smoked ham. Comforting and delicious, it makes a great lunch, or add it to your brunch table.

slice of quiche Lorraine with salad on plate

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Like a number of schools in the UK, my high school had a few exchange programs with other schools in Europe to help with learning foreign languages and get the experience of staying with a family in another country.

My school also had a very strong music department so there were particular links through the orchestra and choir. In fact, many people joined one or the other just for the trips they did, staying with families and doing concerts and all the experiences that go with it.

Quiche Lorraine in pie dish from overhead

I think most of my family took part in one or more of the programs and one person who stayed with us over the years was from Lyon, France and made the most delicious quiche Lorraine for the family.

While my mum has given me her recipe at some point, like many things I have no idea what I have done with it. What I do remember, however, was one of the keys to its deliciousness was lots of fillings, including both ham and bacon. It makes for a heartier and more ‘filled’ quiche, but it is oh so delicious.

slice of quiche Lorraine on plate in front of rest of quiche in pie dish

What goes in a quiche Lorraine?

The core ingredients in this tart are lardons/bacon and/or ham, gruyere cheese wrapped in a cream-egg custard. But even with that, you can find a couple variations as I have here.

This recipe isn’t exactly what our French exchange student made for us, but it is pretty close. I have made a couple of adaptations that to me make it a little better. First, I have used the pastry I made for empanadas a while ago as it has a great flavor and is very easy to work with.

I have also added a little onion which is non-traditional in a quiche Lorraine but to me, you can never go wrong with a little onion. It adds lovely gentle sweetness.

Then, there’s both bacon and ham and plenty of cheese, all covered with the egg base. It’s a quiche filled to the brim with flavor.

pie case, skillet with bacon and onion, bowls with cheese, eggs, cream and ham

Should you pre-bake the crust?

I seem to remember my mum didn’t blind bake the pastry crust before filling, but I prefer to as I would rather make sure it’s nice and crisp rather than potentially a bit soggy or undercooked. Plus, with this pastry it doesn’t seem to risk being overcooked around the top, but holds a great flavor.

It might take a little longer, but I think it’s worth it. Plus you can cook up the bacon and onion while the pastry is cooking.

While its is best enjoyed fresh, it also freezes well so is great to keep a few pieces to bring out for a packed lunch. It’s great enjoyed both as it is, or with a salad (try a Lyonnaise salad to be fully in the French spirit). I

This quiche Lorraine is filled with deliciousness – quite literally. There’s lots of great smokey bacon and ham flavor, tasty cheese and a smooth creamy egg-custard bringing it all together. It is always popular in our house, and perfect to have in the freezer to pull out when needed. If it gets a chance to get that far, that is.

Try these other tasty quiche and savory galettes:

Print Recipe

A classic French quiche that’s full of delicious flavor.

Prep Time1 hr 10 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Ingredients

For the pastry crust

1 cup whole wheat flour 130g
1 cup all purpose flour 140g plain flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 oz unsalted butter 55g, cut into chunks
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoon water cold, may need 1tbsp more

For the filling

6 oz cooked smoked ham 170g
5 oz smoked bacon 150g, streaky bacon – 5 thick slices
½ onion wide
1 cup gruyere cheese 90g, grated
3 eggs
¾ cup heavy cream 180ml double cream
¼ cup milk 60ml
a few grindings of pepper and a dash of nutmeg

Instructions

Make the pastry by putting the flours and the salt in a food processor and pulse to mix. Add the egg, butter and oil and pulse until like small breadcrumbs.
Add the water a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is coming together in larger lumps. Remove from food processor, press together and cover and refrigerate for around 30min.
Roll out to fill a pie dish or tart tin (approx 9in but if shallow, wider), trim around the top and chill for another 30min.
Preheat oven to 350F/175C.
Blind bake the pastry for 20min (by covering the pastry with parchment paper/foil and filling with baking beans or dried beans). Then remove the filling and bake another 5 min uncovered until the pastry is dry. Set aside until fillings are ready or assemble immediately.
Meanwhile cook the bacon in a skillet/frying pan without any oil. Once the bacon has rendered a little fat (a couple mins), add the onion and cook until both are browning, around 15min.
Dice the ham into small pieces and whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, pepper and nutmeg.
Assemble the filling by putting in a layer of ham, then bacon and onions, then grated cheese, and finally pour over egg-cream mix.
Bake for approx 25min until lightly browned on top and set.

Nutrition

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This recipe was first shared in November 2015 and has been updated, primarily with new photos.

Quiche Lorraine – Caroline’s Cooking