culinary review
   
   

Rich and Creamy Quiche with Brie Cheese and Smoked Ham

Last Modified: 04/14/14
First Published: 07/17/07
Views: 9058
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Views: 9058

We got inspired to make this quiche after watching the movie "The Waitress". Even though we had mixed feelings about the movie, the pies in it looked fabulous, and we particularly got interested in this one, which the lead character named "I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie." She laid soft Brie cheese and smoked ham in a dough-covered dish and poured over the egg batter in a sunny kitchen and even though we didn't get to see the end-result, the idea of Brie and smoked ham quiche stuck, and here we are.

The result was very good. The cheese and the ham gave nice body and flavor, we made a flaky crust and a very rich batter (don't try to calculate the amount of calories, just enjoy it...) and it all came together wonderfully. Our pie dish was a little too small so we placed the rest of the batter in some individual ramekins and cooked with some Brie and ham as well. To go with this brunch-like dinner we drank mimosas and served fresh fruit on the side.

Ingredients:

  • Nice chunk of Brie cut in about 10 slices
  • Smoked ham, about 1 cup diced
  • 1/4 onion, chopped

Egg batter:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 pint of heavy cream
  • Salt, pepper, and nutmeg
  • 1 batch of pie dough (listed below)

Method:

Roll the pie dough out and place in a pie dish. Blind bake the dough in a 425 degree oven for 1o min, preferably with some uncooked beans in it to push it down. Sautee the onion and the ham. Take the pie dough out of the oven, and place the Brie slices on top, add the ham and onions, pour the batter over. Place in a 350 degree oven for about 30 min. Let it cool down for about 20 min before cutting it open.

 

One batch of pie dough:

  • 6 tablespoons butter, chilled
  • 2 tablespoons Crisco, chilled
  • 6 ounces (approximately 1 cup) all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling dough
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/4 cup ice water, or less

Method:

Cut butter and Crisco into small cubes and chill for 10 minutes or so. In the food processor, combine flour and salt by pulsing 3 to 4 times. Add butter and Crisco and pulse 10 times. Remove lid of food processor and add ice water. Replace lid and pulse a few times until it holds together. Place the dough in a zip-top bag, squeeze together until it forms a ball, and then press into a rounded disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer.