Description
Ham and Cheese Quiche is a savory pie made with a buttery crust, a creamy egg custard filling, and layers of ham and cheese. The dish is baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Ina Garten’s version of this classic recipe incorporates rich Gruyère cheese and smoky ham for a flavorful, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3–4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups diced cooked ham (I used beef ham)
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crust
- Combine flour and butter: In a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and cold diced butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough begins to come together.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Cook the ham: If using uncooked ham, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Otherwise, use pre-cooked ham and dice it into small cubes.
- Grate the cheese: Grate the Gruyère cheese and set aside.
- Whisk the eggs and cream: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Quiche
- Roll out the dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Press the dough into the dish, trimming any excess.
- Blind bake the crust: Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and bake for another 5 minutes until lightly golden.
Step 4: Fill the Quiche
- Add the ham and cheese: Spread the diced ham and grated cheese evenly over the bottom of the pre-baked crust.
- Pour the egg mixture: Pour the egg and cream mixture over the ham and cheese, making sure it fills the crust evenly.
Step 5: Bake the Quiche
- Bake the quiche: Place the quiche in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let it cool: Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.