Are you looking for a quick, impressive, and utterly delicious recipe that's perfect for a party, a light lunch, or even a satisfying dinner? Look no further! These mini quiches with puff pastry are the answer. They're surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks, and offer a delightful combination of flaky pastry, creamy egg custard, and your favorite fillings. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this simple yet elegant recipe – a true champion among easy recipes and healthy meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet (14.1 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (or ham, sausage, or vegetables – see variations below!)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut out circles from the pastry. Press each circle into a mini muffin tin, ensuring the pastry goes up the sides. You can also use a larger cutter and make fewer, larger quiches.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined. This creamy mixture forms the heart of your delicious mini quiches.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Evenly distribute the crumbled bacon (or your chosen filling) into the puff pastry cups. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and green onions (if using). Pour the egg custard mixture over the fillings, filling each cup almost to the top.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the custard is set. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the mini quiches cool slightly in the muffin tin before carefully removing them. Serve warm or at room temperature. These little quiches are fantastic as an appetizer, a light lunch, or even a quick dinner idea.
Tips for Perfect Mini Quiches:
- Don't overfill: Leave a little space at the top of each pastry cup to prevent the custard from overflowing during baking.
- Blind baking (optional): For an extra crispy crust, you can pre-bake the pastry cups for 5-7 minutes before adding the filling. This helps prevent a soggy bottom.
- Get creative with fillings: The possibilities are endless! Experiment with different cheeses, meats, vegetables, and herbs to create your own unique flavor combinations.
Variations:
- Vegetarian: Replace the bacon with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or roasted vegetables.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the custard for a kick.
- Cheesy: Use a blend of your favorite cheeses, such as Gruyère, Swiss, or Fontina.
Nutritional Information (per quiche, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: 10-15g
- Protein: 5-7g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15g
These mini quiches are a fantastic example of delicious dishes made with homemade cooking techniques. They're a wonderful addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and easy recipes. Enjoy!