| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 35 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 367 | 26g | 13g | 17g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 1g | 12g | 0.75g |
As a Southern belle, my heart reverberates with the rhythm of comfort food – the ones steeped in tradition and family stories. And one such heart-warming staple in my culinary repertoire is the unassuming yet fantastic, Fat Hen and Cheese Quiche. Deliciously satisfying, this dish is a delightful medley of flavors that can transport you straight to a lovely, rustic farmhouse kitchen. Imagine mellow sunny afternoons, laughter ringing through the house, and this scrumptious quiche on your table. Heavenly! Now, let’s get to what makes this quiche such an endearing dish.
Grace of the Good Earth
In the vast cuisine powerhouses of the South, the Fat Hen, also known as lamb’s quarters, is somewhat of an unsung hero. It’s an incredibly nutritious ‘wild’ vegetable, bursting with calcium, magnesium, potassium and, vitamins, notably vitamin A and C (source). And when it teams up with cheeses in this quiche, it’s pure magic – a harmony of flavor profiles tantalizing your taste buds.
Comfort Food – Elevated!
The Fat Hen and Cheese Quiche sits elegantly at the crossroads of rustic comfort food and culinary sophistication. It shares the delightful creamy consistency and wholesome charm of a classic Southern mac and cheese, but with the added complexity of flavors the fat hen brings to the table. An ideal companion to this quiche might be a simple mixed greens salad dressed lightly with a lemon vinaigrette, to balance the richness of the quiche.
I’ve always been a lover of coastal flavors and the quiche does not disappoint. The fat hen, being a coastal plant, adds a hint of an earthy, mineral-like flavor – indicative of its coastal origins. A beautiful connection to my love of surfing!
Simple Pleasures…
Lastly, perhaps one of the things I love the most about the Fat Hen and Cheese Quiche is that it perfectly captures the essence of ‘simple pleasures’. From gathering fresh fat hen leaves to enjoying a slice of the quiche with a glass of chilled white wine while catching up on my favorite movie, this recipe is more than just food. It is about living in the moment, appreciating the simple yet profound delights life offers. My preferred way to enjoy it…in the comfort of my home, windows open to let the cool Charleston sea breeze in, just…perfect.
I sincerely hope you will find as much joy in making and sharing this delightful dish as I do. After all, at the end of the day, food is about sharing and love. Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups fat hen leaves (washed and chopped)
- 1 ready-made pie crust
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place your ready-made pie crust in a pie dish and set it aside.
Step Two
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent – this should take about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
Step Three
Next, add the chopped fat hen leaves to the pan and sauté until they have wilted. This should take around 2-3 minutes. Afterwards, add the halved cherry tomatoes and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Once done, set the frying pan aside to cool.
Step Four
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, grated cheddar cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste.
Step Five
Once the fat hen mixture has cooled down, combine it with the egg and cheese mixture. Make sure the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step Six
Pour the final mixture into your prepared pie crust. Make sure it’s spread evenly and smoothed out.
Step Seven
Place the quiche in the oven and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. To check if the quiche is done, insert a knife in the center. If it comes out clean, your quiche is ready.
Step Eight
Remove the quiche from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the quiche to finish setting and makes it easier to cut into slices. Your Fat Hen and Cheese Quiche is now ready to be served and enjoyed!
