Delicious & Easy Vegetarian Mini Quiche Lorraine: A Phyllo Dough Delight
Are you a quiche enthusiast constantly seeking new and delightful variations? Prepare to be charmed by this exquisite Vegetarian Mini Quiche Lorraine! This recipe offers a wonderfully fresh and lighter rendition of the beloved classic, brimming with the vibrant flavors of herbs, rich cheese, and encased in a delicate, crispy phyllo dough crust. Whether served as an elegant appetizer, a savory component for brunch, or a satisfying light lunch, these individual quiches are not only bursting with taste but also present beautifully on any table.
The Heart of the Homestead: Fresh Eggs and Culinary Inspiration
Life on our homestead, graced by the abundance of eggs from our happy, free-roaming hens, is a constant source of culinary inspiration. With a steady supply of these golden treasures, our kitchen becomes a lively laboratory for experimentation. From fluffy cakes and rustic breads to comforting pies and, of course, a diverse array of quiches, there’s always something new baking. Often, these incredibly versatile eggs step in as a wholesome and delicious meat substitute, a role they perfectly fulfill in this particular Vegetarian Mini Quiche Lorraine. Using eggs laid just steps from the kitchen adds an unparalleled freshness and richness that elevates the entire dish, creating a more robust and satisfying custard.
The journey from our coop to your plate emphasizes the beauty of using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each quiche embodies a commitment to flavorful, wholesome cooking that celebrates nature’s bounty. The vibrant yellow of the egg custard, combined with the colorful additions of sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, makes these mini quiches a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. This recipe is an invitation to experience the joy of homemade goodness, a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can be transformed into something truly extraordinary.
A Modern Twist: Reinventing the Classic Quiche Lorraine
The traditional Quiche Lorraine holds a special place in many hearts, often celebrated for its hearty bacon and rich pastry crust. For this vegetarian adaptation, we’ve meticulously reimagined these classic elements to craft a dish that is equally comforting yet distinctly lighter and plant-forward. The result is a quiche that retains all the beloved flavors and textures of the original but with a fresh, contemporary appeal.
Savory Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The Perfect Bacon Substitute
Our key innovation lies in replacing the bacon with sun-dried tomatoes. These little culinary gems are concentrated flavor powerhouses, offering a delightful chewiness and an intensely savory, umami-rich taste that wonderfully mimics the depth and salty notes traditionally provided by cured meats. Marinated in oil, they infuse the quiche with a robust Mediterranean character, ensuring that you won’t miss the bacon one bit. Their vibrant color also adds a beautiful visual element to the filling, making each bite as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Light and Crispy: The Magic of Phyllo Dough
Another significant departure from the classic is our choice of crust: delicate, paper-thin phyllo dough instead of heavier shortcrust pastry. Phyllo is an outstanding, more elegant alternative, renowned for developing an incredibly flaky and crisp texture when baked to golden perfection. By layering several sheets and lightly brushing each with melted butter, we create a wonderfully light and crunchy shell. This delicate casing perfectly cradles the creamy filling without overwhelming it, contributing to a more refined and less heavy overall dish. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a lighter indulgence or a more sophisticated presentation, offering a delightful textural contrast that enhances the entire eating experience.
Creamy Perfection: Yogurt for a Lighter Filling
To further enhance the lightness and freshness of our mini quiches, we’ve opted for yogurt in place of the richer crème fraîche. This simple yet effective substitution maintains the desirable creamy consistency of the filling while introducing a subtle, refreshing tang. The yogurt brightens the overall flavor profile and contributes to a lighter, more digestible quiche, making it suitable for a wider range of palates and occasions. These thoughtful modifications collectively create a truly unique quiche that proudly stands on its own, offering a delightful new culinary experience. You might be genuinely surprised at how different, yet utterly delicious, this reinvented recipe is. Give it a try – they were devoured in no time here!
More Than Just a Recipe: Versatility and Enjoyment
These Vegetarian Mini Quiches are incredibly versatile and perfectly suited for a multitude of dining occasions. Their individual, bite-sized format makes them an ideal finger food for parties and gatherings, easily picked up and enjoyed without fuss. Imagine them as the star of your next brunch spread, nestled amongst fresh fruit and pastries, or as an elegant appetizer to kick off a dinner party. They also make a fantastic light lunch when paired with a fresh green salad, or a gourmet addition to a picnic basket. Their appealing presentation and balanced flavors ensure they’re always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they can be prepared ahead of time, making them a convenient option for busy hosts and home cooks who want to enjoy their gatherings as much as their guests do.
Taste the Freshness in Every Bite!
Ready to create these delightful mini quiches yourself? Here’s everything you need, from ingredients to step-by-step instructions, to master this flavorful and elegant dish. Let’s get baking!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Mini Quiche Lorraine
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
-
cupcake and muffin pan
Ingredients
- 10 sheets phyllo dough
- 3 tablespoons butter , melted
- ½ shallot
- 10 sun-dried tomatoes
- 5 eggs , size L
- pinch salt
- 200 mL yogurt
- 100 grams cheese, grated
- salt and pepper, and nutmeg
- basil , optional garnish with fresh basil slices
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius (approximately 425°F).
-
Carefully cut each phyllo sheet into two square pieces, ensuring they are large enough to fit into your muffin pan wells with some overhang.
-
Lightly grease five individual wells of your cupcake or muffin pan with a portion of the melted butter.
-
Place one square piece of phyllo dough into each of the five greased wells, gently pressing it down to conform to the shape and letting the edges overhang slightly.
-
Brush the first layer of phyllo with melted butter. Place a second phyllo square on top, slightly offset from the first. Repeat this process twice more, brushing with butter between each layer, until you have a total of four layers of phyllo dough in each cup, forming a sturdy base.
-
Finely chop the shallot and cut the sun-dried tomatoes into small, uniform pieces.
-
Evenly distribute the chopped shallot, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated cheese among the prepared phyllo cups.
-
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs and yogurt until well combined. Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to taste.
-
Carefully pour the egg mixture into each phyllo dough cup, filling them almost to the top without overflowing.
-
Transfer the muffin pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18 minutes, or until the mini quiches are beautifully golden brown and the centers are fully set and tender. Garnish with fresh basil if desired before serving.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Essential Tools for Quiche Success
To help you prepare these delightful Vegetarian Mini Quiches with utmost ease and achieve perfect results, here are some of the key kitchen utensils and equipment I highly recommend. Having the right tools on hand can significantly enhance your cooking experience and ensure a flawless outcome. Each item is linked for a more detailed explanation of its use and benefits, and you can conveniently explore purchasing options if you find yourself needing to upgrade or expand your kitchen arsenal:
- A good pair of sharp knives: Absolutely essential for precise and safe chopping of delicate shallots and the chewy sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cutting board: A sturdy, non-slip cutting board provides a stable surface for all your prep work, ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Brushes, spatulas, and other cooking utensils: A high-quality pastry brush is indispensable for evenly coating each delicate layer of phyllo dough with melted butter, creating that signature crispness.
- Cupcake or Muffin Tin: This is the perfect vessel for baking individual mini quiches, ensuring they bake evenly and achieve that beautiful, golden-brown crust.
Share Your Culinary Journey!
Did you have a chance to make this delightful Vegetarian Mini Quiche Lorraine? I would be absolutely thrilled to see your culinary creations! Please feel free to tag #byandreajanssen on Instagram or Twitter. It brings me immense joy and satisfaction to see readers enjoying and recreating my recipes, and I always look forward to discovering what wonderful dishes you’ve cooked up. You can also share your experiences and photos on my Facebook channel, or conveniently pin this recipe on Pinterest. This way, you can easily find it again for your next baking adventure or when you need a quick, delicious idea. Happy cooking, and I look forward to connecting with you soon!