9/17/08

caramelized onion & bacon quiche

Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche 2
I love quiche. But I like quiche that has flavor to it. Quiche Lorraine is ok, but really low on the flavor meter, unless a good ham was used, not a processed one.
This quiche recipe is full of flavor, so much so that a small slice will satisfy. There is a layer of caramelized onions in this quiche that will have your tastebuds come alive! So tasty, gently rich and the best part? The leftovers get better--meaning when all these flavors have time to sit and meld they taste so good you can even eat them cold. And cold I do! I adore cold leftover quiche.
Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche 4
Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche 1

There is a touch of balsamic vinegar to kick those caramelized onions up a notch (Emeril would be proud and there would be no onion police coming to my house). Gruyere cheese has the best flavor, but I added some strong sharp cheddar to it to enhance it even further.
I also added another notch to this by adding a double crust. I hate quiches that have thin, weak crusts; a strong flavorful, hearty quiche like this one needs a thick and hearty crust to support it.
Untitled

caramelized onion & bacon quiche
semi-adapted by Simply Recipes
print recipe

1 recipe pie dough, pate brisee or you can use store bought pie crust
1 - 2 TB olive oil
3 large sweet onions, chopped in long strips, medium size
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 TB balsamic vinegar
1 ½ cups half & half
3 large eggs
Pinch nutmeg
1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
¾ cup of sharp cheddar, shredded
4 - 5 slices of cooked bacon (I used thick sliced), crumbled/chopped

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit into a 9 inch pie dish pressing dough into corners and around the edges. Transfer to freezer to chill for 30 minutes. (note, I made a double crust, since I like a thicker crust)
Preheat oven to 350°. Place parchment paper on pie shell then fill at least two-thirds with baking weights - dried beans, rice, or aluminum pie weights. Bake first for 15 minutes, remove from oven and let cool a few minutes. Carefully remove parchment paper and weights. Poke the bottom of the pie pan with the tines of a fork and return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes or until lightly golden. (Fork holes are for any air to escape.) Transfer to a wire rack to cool while making filling. (Note: I did not poke holes)
Cook bacon to well cooked, place bacon on paper towels to drain. Remove all bacon grease from pan (do not clean the pan) and add in onions (I did not clean the pan as I wanted the onions to absorb some of the flavor of the bacon). Keep pan on medium heat, add on the olive oil then add the onions. Season with salt & pepper. Caramelize the onions, this should take about 45 minutes +/-; stirring onions every 10 minutes
On the last ten minutes of caramelization add in the TB of balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, combine thru. Remove from heat, set aside.
In a bowl combine the 2 cheeses. Sprinkle half the cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the crust. Spread onions over the cheese, then the crumbled bacon and then top with remaining cheese.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the half & half and eggs. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour over cheese. Transfer to oven, and bake at 350 degrees until just set in the center, 45 - 60 minutes (this all depends on your stove, mine took about 48 minutes).
Cool on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Serves 6-8.

21 comments:

  1. The mom-in-law and I are going to try this. She loves quiche and I make it for her frequently. I will let you know. Thanks! Nella

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  2. I love quiche. This one looks so yummy with the bacon.

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  3. You had me at "caramelized onion and bacon" :)

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  4. I love cold quiche too. And I think it goes terrific with a glass of wine!

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  5. Oh can I come over for some cold quiche! The bacon in here...oh yummy.

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  6. That looks delicious! I love caramelized onions...and I love love love quiche! Will have to try this.

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  7. I have never thought of doing a double crusted quiche! What a great idea! I love caramelized onions, so this looks amazing to me!

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  8. I want I want, cold, hot, it doesn't matter! I also love quiche!!! And that one my friend looks sooooooooo delicious! Cute pie dish, does it have a recipe on the bottom?

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  9. Looks delicious. I am loving those crispy edges. Perfect with a glass of wine :)

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  10. Well that would sure start my day off right. How can you not love onions, eggs, and bacon? Forget the onion police, the awesome police might show up instead :)

    Thanks for your Wayne's World comment. Your excellent ways cracked me up :)

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  11. OOOh! Ahhh! Ohhh! Ahh! My way of saying it looks great!

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  12. This quiche is ridiculous, in a good way! I am so making this soon. Great pics.

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  13. I eat cold quiche for breakfast, too. And if I were a bacon person, I'd be making this one -- it looks delicious.

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  14. that is a fine and hearty slab of eggy goodness, dawn. i'd eat it hot, cold, tepid, frozen, lukewarm, or still bubbling. :)

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  15. Oh man, I wouldn't be able to resist this one. That looks wonderful!

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  16. Look at that crust..and the caramelized onions!! YUM!

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  17. Well now, the proof is in the almost empty Pyrex dish, ain't it?

    Good stuff ya got there...you should share more often.

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  18. I owe you one. In a couple of weeks I am having poker night at the house and this usually involves a bunch of guys who have over drank and need a place to crash. Well of course I can't let them go home hungry so I cook for them the next morning and well what guy hates onions, bacon, eggs and cheese?

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  19. Holy shit- this looks amazing! Two of my favorite things in a quiche. Yum. I am totally making this!!!

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  20. Oh my God! That looks great!

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  21. I'm bookmarking this, dawn

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I love your comments!

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