Springtime Asparagus & Fontina Cheese Quiche Recipe

When summer’s bounty meets culinary creativity, this asparagus and fontina cheese quiche stands as a delightful centerpiece for any meal.

Fresh, crisp asparagus spears dance with rich, creamy fontina in a golden, flaky crust that promises pure comfort.

The luxurious combination of tender vegetables and melted cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your palate.

Every forkful offers a perfect balance of earthy asparagus and smooth, nutty fontina.

Light yet satisfying, this quiche works beautifully for breakfast, brunch, or a casual dinner alongside a crisp salad.

The recipe delivers gourmet taste with surprisingly simple preparation.

Dive into this elegant dish and savor a slice of culinary magic that celebrates seasonal ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Asparagus & Fontina Cheese Quiche

• Potatoes: Crispy foundation that adds rustic texture and replaces traditional pastry, choose starchy varieties like Russet for best results.
• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, crispy potato crust with rich flavor and prevents sticking.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps achieve beautiful browning of potato crust.

• Eggs: Protein-packed binding agent that creates smooth, creamy quiche texture.
• Half-and-Half: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps create silky egg custard.
• Shallots: Delivers delicate, sweet onion flavor, selecting fresh and firm shallots ensures best taste.
• Fontina Cheese: Creamy, mild Alpine cheese that melts beautifully and adds sophisticated flavor.
• Tarragon: Introduces subtle anise-like herb note, use fresh for most vibrant taste.

• Asparagus: Brings fresh, green crunch and earthy spring flavor, select thin, bright green spears.
• Mustard Powder: Adds gentle, tangy background note to egg mixture.
• Nutmeg: Provides warm, aromatic undertone that complements creamy eggs.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall recipe flavors.

Tools That Make Quiche Prep Simple

• Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for creating potato crust and sautéing shallots.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs and seasonings smoothly.
• Cheese grater: Needed for shredding potatoes and preparing cheese.
• 9-inch pie dish or tart pan: Perfect for assembling and baking the quiche.
• Mixing bowl: Used for combining egg mixture and preparing ingredients.
• Kitchen towel or cheesecloth: Helps wring out excess liquid from potatoes.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Precise for adding correct amounts of salt, pepper, and other seasonings.

Steps to Bake a Creamy Asparagus Quiche

• Potato Crust Foundation

A delightful twist on traditional quiche using crispy potato base instead of pastry. The golden-brown crust provides a hearty and flavorful alternative that will surprise your taste buds.

• Potato Preparation

Select fresh potatoes and grate them carefully, ensuring a uniform texture. Remove excess moisture by squeezing out liquid, creating a perfect foundation for your quiche.

• Skillet Magic

Create a stunning potato crust by carefully pressing shredded potatoes into a hot skillet with butter and oil. Cook until edges turn beautifully golden and crisp, developing a rich, toasty flavor.

• Flavor Builders

Sauté delicate shallots until they become translucent and sweet, releasing their subtle aromatics. Whisk eggs with creamy half-and-half, adding gentle touches of mustard and nutmeg for complexity.

• Quiche Assembly

Layer fontina and your chosen cheese over the potato crust. Carefully arrange tender asparagus spears across the surface. Pour the silky egg mixture, allowing ingredients to meld together seamlessly.

• Oven Transformation

Bake in a preheated oven until the quiche sets perfectly, with a slight wobble in the center. The result will be a stunning, rustic dish that celebrates fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.

Flavorful Additions & Pro Quiche Tips

• Squeeze out as much moisture from potatoes as possible to ensure a crispy, golden-brown base that holds together beautifully.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère, goat cheese, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Prepare the entire quiche up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes to maintain its delicate texture and flavor.
• Substitute asparagus with seasonal vegetables like roasted bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to keep the recipe fresh and exciting throughout the year.
• Elevate the flavor by using fresh tarragon or experimenting with other herbs like thyme, chives, or dill to add an extra layer of aromatic complexity to your quiche.

Serving the Quiche Like a Bistro Favorite

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, creamy quiche with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Serve this quiche as the star of a weekend brunch, accompanied by fresh fruit and mimosas for a delightful gathering.
• Wine Pairing: Enhance the flavors with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay that matches the quiche's delicate taste.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top to add a pop of color and fresh, herbal notes to the finished quiche.

Saving Slices for the Next Meal

• Maximize Meal Prep: Slice quiche into individual portions before refrigerating for easy grab-and-go breakfasts or lunches.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container for up to 4 days, maintaining best flavor and texture when kept chilled.
• Freeze for Future: Wrap cooled quiche tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months – perfect for quick meal solutions.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated slices in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy potato crust and restore original delicious taste.

Rustic Asparagus And Fontina Cheese Quiche Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful spinach and fontina cheese quiche combines French culinary tradition with seasonal ingredients. Fresh local asparagus and creamy fontina create a harmonious blend that delights palates and brings comfort to weekend brunch gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large eggs (room temperature)
• 4 medium russet potatoes (about 32 oz/907 g), peeled
• 5 oz (142 g) fontina cheese, grated
• 4 oz (113 g) fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ bunch asparagus (about 8 oz/227 g), ends trimmed
• 4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• 1.25 cups half-and-half
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1.5 tsps kosher salt
• 0.75 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1 pinch grated nutmeg
• 1 tbsp finely chopped tarragon

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Instructions

1. Potato Crust Preparation: Grate potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel.
2. Crust Cooking: Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat, spread potato mixture evenly, pressing to create a crispy golden crust covering bottom and sides of pan, cooking for 5-7 minutes until rich brown.
3. Shallot Sautéing: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté shallots until translucent and aromatic.
4. Egg Mixture Blending: Whisk eggs, half-and-half, dried mustard, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and tarragon in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
5. Layering Ingredients: Sprinkle fontina and additional cheeses over potato crust, distribute sautéed shallots evenly, then carefully pour egg mixture on top.
6. Asparagus Placement: Arrange asparagus spears in an attractive pattern across the egg mixture.
7. Baking Process: Place skillet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, bake for 30-35 minutes until quiche sets and top turns light golden.
8. Serving Preparation: Remove from oven, allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Notes

• Potato Crust Perfection: Press the grated potatoes firmly and squeeze out maximum moisture to achieve a crispy, golden-brown base that holds the quiche together without becoming soggy.
• Cheese Layering Technique: Distribute fontina cheese evenly to ensure consistent melting and rich flavor throughout the quiche, preventing bland or dry spots.
• Egg Mixture Harmony: Whisk eggs with half-and-half and seasonings thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated custard that sets beautifully and enhances overall taste.
• Asparagus Arrangement: Trim asparagus spears carefully and place them strategically on top for an elegant presentation and even cooking, ensuring each slice looks and tastes spectacular.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg