Tuesday, March 1

Dinner for Real: Crustless Quiche

I hope you're enjoying the Dinner for Real series. I've had several people contact me and tell me that they've tried one of the recipes and liked them. This makes me so happy!

Today's recipe is one that I've pulled out many times when I've waited too long to think about dinner--those days when I forget to get something out of the freezer, or I've been away from home all day and didn't have time to put something in the CrockPot. You know the kind of day I'm talking about, don't you? Please tell me I'm not the only one who has days like that!

 I'll be completely honest here. My children are not fans of quiche. I think that's because what's billed as quiche at restaurants is usually full of things like broccoli or spinach--more green than anything else!

My kids wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole, let alone a fork. So when I make quiche, it's a much simpler affair. And while I love quiche in a pastry shell, I usually make mine crustless, which cuts out a measurable number of calories, fat grams, and carbohydrate grams.

Crustless Quiche
Ingredients:
8 whole eggs
2 cups cheese, grated (I use half cheddar and half Swiss or Gruyere--use whatever you like!)
1 cup milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
salt and pepper to taste
bacon, ham, or sausage, or any combination thereof

 Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare pan (I use an 8 inch square Pyrex dish) by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook meat of your choice and drain fat. Cut or crumble into small pieces.
Beat eggs. Add cheese, milk, and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in meat. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick insert in center comes out fairly clean. Do not overbake--the quiche will continue to cook some from residual heat after you remove it from the oven.

 We like to have this with grits and fruit or green salad. Or sometimes I prepare broccoli or asparagus for my husband and fruit for the rest of us. I'm sure you could add veggies to the quiche if you like--we prefer to have a meat and cheese pie and keep the veggies on the side.
What do you make on those days when you have to come up with dinner on one of those days?
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22 comments:

  1. PaulaMarch 1, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Hi, Richella,
    Love your blog and am enjoying following it. TODAY is one of "those" days for me, and I just happen to have all the ingredients for this yummy sounding recipe at home, so tonight we'll try your crustless quiche recipe! THANK YOU for sharing this with us. Much healthier and yummier than ordering takeout!! I can't wait to try it!

    Thanks much,
    Paula
    www.paulasserendipity.blogspot.com

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  2. Under Her WingsMarch 1, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I usually just make breakfast. It might be waffles, pancakes, or eggs of some sort, but I always try to have some kind of fruit or even veggie with it. In fact, we have started having breakfast on Friday nights, everyone likes it so well. But I do love me some quiche, and sometimes that is our dinner "breakfast."
    Have a great day,
    Gloria

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  3. Susan JacquesMarch 1, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    What does the baking powder do?

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  4. Richella ParhamMarch 1, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    The baking powder makes the quiche rise up nice and fluffy. Without the baking powder, you'd have a very dense and rather flat pie.

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  5. DianneMarch 1, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Thank you...I now know what is for dinner...

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  6. FrouFrouBritchesMarch 1, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    I definitely have those days! This sounds wonderful!!! I love quiche, but especially with meat and cheese. I like veggies on the side too! YUM1 Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!}March 1, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Hi sugar!
    I have been praying for you since your last post.
    Take one day at a time, one prayer at a time.
    Keep hope and keep heart.
    Love and hugs!
    ~me

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amanda @ Serenity NowMarch 1, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    I think the photo looks delish, and the recipe for your own quiche sounds fabulous. I happen to love quiche. :)

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  9. At The Picket FenceMarch 1, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    This is our "go-to" dish too Richella! Except I started calling it egg pie because even the word quiche made my kids scrunch up their noses. :-) It is such a great way to use up/sneak in veggies and it is always a hit. Thanks for sharing this new recipe and I am loving your series too!
    Vanessa

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  10. HollyMarch 1, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    One of my quick meals is eggs in some form, usually scrambled. So this would be a nice addition!
    Taco meat is my other go to...it can be tacos, nachos, taco salad, quesadillas, burritos....

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  11. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    I love quiche! I am trying to watch my calories so a crustless quiche sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  12. Southern LadyMarch 1, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    I love quiche! That is a great go to recipe. I will certainly try it sometime. And, yes, we all have days like that. Carla

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  13. Shelly WildmanMarch 1, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Yummy! This sounds so good. I love quiche, but my kids sound like yours. They don't love it.

    My favorite line of this post is "we usually serve this with grits . . . " Let me just say, that has never, EVER been said at this house. :)

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  14. Paula@SweetPeaMarch 1, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    I like just about any quiche but rarely eat it because I know the crust is so bad for me and I can't help but eat it because it tastes so good. I've made a crustless version before and really liked it. Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to put that on my menu list.

    The quiche that your boys wouldn't touch looks pretty darned good to me!

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  15. Hello Jessica LynnMarch 2, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Thanks for sharing the recipe!!

    Happy Wednesday!! I am blog hopping today and decided to stop by your blog.

    Please stop by and say hello and even become a follower (if you aren't already) at either of my blogs:

    So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE Custom Blog Designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com

    Jessicas Lil Corner is where I blog about life and family at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com

    Have a blessed Wednesday!! :0)

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  16. BonitaMarch 2, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I'm a big quiche lover, though the men in my family don't much care for it. Wasn't that a book, "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche?"

    Just today I was wondering how to make a quiche without a crust to cut out the fatty components in the crust. This is perfect. I'd probably leave out the meat, due to fat, and add veggies instead.

    I especially like quiche for breakfast!

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  17. Be StillMarch 2, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I made this last night with a few additions--it was really good!

    Thanks for the recipe!

    Elsa

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  18. AmyMarch 2, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Like Paula said, TODAY is definitely one of "those" days for me too. Ha! Thanks for the easy and delicious recipe. I'll be doubling the recipe for my group of 6.

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  19. Karen At Home BlogMarch 2, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Richella, this sounds delicious, I believe I have all the ingrediants at home too. Will have to give it a shot.

    Thanks!
    Karen

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  20. Emily T. ThomasMarch 2, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Quesadillas! my go to GF emergency meal. or fried rice with all the leftover from the week jazzed up with soy sauce and sesame oil. Both work like a charm for the baintrain!
    Blessings!
    LIB

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  21. LynnMarch 2, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    This sounds delicious. I love the idea of making it without a crust -- so simple. And, as you say, it would cut out lots of the calories :)

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  22. Sandy @ REMarch 12, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Oh, that quiche looks fantastic. Love your Dinner for Real Tues. idea, too. Hugs!

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