- Asparagus Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche
It’s hard to top homemade quiche for a quick and easy, inexpensive and delicious meal. A hearty slice and a small arugula salad are a satisfying lunch or dinner any day of the week. I have no problem using a purchased pie crust (Marie Callender’s are my favorite), and I can stretch a small piece of leftover ham or a few slices of bacon in this dish to generously serve 4 or 5 people. My quiches are never the same twice because I use up whatever bits of veggies are in the fridge and odds and ends of cheeses that have been used for other recipes. Three eggs and a generous cup of cream are the glue that holds the meats, veggies and cheeses together. Don’t worry if you don’t add meat to this recipe, the vegetarian version is just as tasty. I had a small piece of ham left over from Easter dinner and a piece of goat cheese that needed using so into the pie shell they went. I usually use Swiss cheese but the goat cheese gave a slight tang and a creaminess to the filling that I loved, so its my new favorite. It’s possible to put together a fantastic meal in a hurry if you have a few convenience foods in the fridge or freezer. Pie shells and puff pastry are two of my favorites. What are yours?
Pear Gorgonzola Salad Dressing – Makes a Killer Arugula Salad
I usually make my own salad dressing but occasionally it’s nice to reach into the fridge and have a good dressing that’s ready to use. This caught my eye at the grocery store the other day and I admit I have used it on my bowl of greens every night since. I tossed it with arugula and added some blue cheese crumbles and a few chopped pecans and I was one happy girl.
- 1 9-inch purchased or homemade pie shells
- 1-1/4 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and peeled
- 1 medium shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces cooked ham, diced
- 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1-1/4 cup half-and-half
- 3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake empty pie shell 7-8 minutes. Remove pie crust from the oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees.
- Set aside 12 asparagus spears. Slice remaining spears into 1-inch pieces. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet and saute asparagus and shallots until asparagus is barely tender. Spread mixture on the bottom of the partially baked pie shell. Saute the uncut stalks in the same pan until they are barely tender. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Top asparagus mixture with the diced ham and crumbled goat cheese.
- Combine half-and-half, eggs, parsley and salt and pepper and pour over ingredients in the pie shell. Arrange whole asparagus spear decoratively on the top of the quiche.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until set and nicely browned. Let set for 20 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Asparagus Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche
Today’s post is linked to three of my favorite blogs. I hope you will stop by and visit.
Cathy, this truly looks like it should be on a magazine cover. I just had breakfast but it is making me hungry all over again – at least in my head! thanks for sharing this delicious, versatile recipe!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Three Cheese & Prosciutto Tartine w/ Arugula-Strawberry Salad
I want to come to your house for dinner! Looks amazing, Cathy!
Kate recently posted..Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese – The Real Thing!
Cathy, you did a great job of pinching the crust. It looks so professional. I’m making a note of your recipe because I have a couple of pie crusts in my refrig I need to use.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Arugula tossed in a Truffle Oil & Sherry Vinaigrette – a 5 Star French Salad
we have just received our first asparagus and quiche is on the menu. i’ve not seen that salad dressing here but will keep an eye out.
best,
bonnie
Yum, you can have my asparagus though! I love goat cheese, Susan Savoring Time won’t eat it! So I will give HER my asparagus:)
It looks luscious, Cathy~
Kathleen recently posted..Let’s Dish # 6 Thrifty Tulip Inspired Table
What a gorgeous quiche! Wow! But you cannot imagine how frustrating it is seeing all the asparagus recipes on American food blogs when nary a slender green stalk is in sight in my market! And aspargus are local products! So I will patiently wait until I can make this perfect quiche – definitely with the goat cheese! I love it!
Jamie recently posted..CLASSIC AMERICAN DOUBLE-RICH CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
I have never bought a frozen pie crust, what is my problem 🙂 this looks so easy and delicious. I do like the new premade rice you can just microwave, its a great base for so many quick meals.
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Tacos
Quiche is great any time and yours sounds delicious, Cathy! I’ve seen that Litehouse dressing at the grocery store and wondered how it is. Now I have to buy it and try it and find some good fresh asparagus too. I have puff pastry in the freezer most of the time and for other convenience foods, I love chopped garlic in the jar, jarred pasta sauces, tortillini from the dairy case, and, Bush baked beans when I’m in a hurry are great!
Thanks for the suggestions, Pam. I have never tried the baked beans and would love to find a brand we like. And pasta sauce is a must. It’s nice to be able to put together a quick meal now and then.
Cathy recently posted..Asparagus Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche
Yes, that’s a nice meal indeed!
Gorgeous quiche! Looks delicious. Salad with a slice of quiche is one of my favorite meals. That dressing looks good, I’ll look for it!
This sounds so delicious, I adore goat cheese. I will be on the lookout for the salad dressing. xo
Barbara F. recently posted..Soup’s On
I’ve never seen that pastry brand, but will look for it. Yes, it’s handy to have a few things like that to fall back on. This quiche looks beautifully arranged and I’m sure is delicious.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Baby Shower Cupcakes
What a nice looking quiche! I’ll have to give Marie’s pastry shell a try. Haven’t found any store bought crusts that I really like.
You are absolutely right! Quiche is versatile and it is perfect for a light meal with a salad. This looks really good and the addition of the goat cheese, well that rocks.
Velva
velva recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
So great Cathy! You made a perfect asparagus pizza, it looks tasty and I really love it. You made me hunger over here, love to taste it! 🙂
Marnie Byod recently posted..Real Estate Mitchelton News
I’m keeping this recipe and I’ll make this when our asparagus come us! YUMMY! It is beautiful!
Here is my rule of thumb… if I can buy it better than I can make it then I do. I found a poppyseed dressing that tastes as good if not better than mine so I buy it! Lots less work!
Thanks for the tip about your favorite store bought pie crust. The one’s I’ve tried so far, fall short. I’ll be looking for Marie Callender’s
Thanks!
Yvonne @ StoneGable recently posted..BREAKFAST ON THE BACK PORCH
Cathy, I love quiche and yours is so great with the pretty asparagus design on top. Thanks for the great recipe.
Kitty recently posted..My Favorite Hamburgers
outstanding – I love it and have some fresh picked asparagus just begging to be made into this. I really like the look you created.
Larry recently posted..Chicken with Lemons and Olives Ala Sam
Beautiful quiche Cathy! I didn’t realize Marie Calendars made crusts. Must be in the freezer section? I’ll have to look for them. Also, Lighthouse is one of my favorite dressings. Love their chunky blue cheese and will have to look for this one.
Hi Lea Ann – Yes, the crusts are in the freezer section. They are such a great thing to have in the freezer and what a timesaver! There are two in a package and they are inexpensive.
Cathy recently posted..Asparagus Ham and Goat Cheese Quiche
This looks terrific! I wish I could have one large chunk for the dinner!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Nutella Spelt Cookies with Pistachios
Quiche is always an elegant way to use those leftovers in the fridge or start from scratch.
bellini recently posted..Celebrate Spring with a Sesame Seed Encrusted Salmon Burger with Lemon Tzadziki and Asparagus
This looks sooo good. We are in Phase One of the South Beach Diet and can’t have the crust but, I am going to make it crustless and serve it on lettuce leaves…bet it will be good. Now, after 2 weeks, we can add multigrains so I must come up with a crust that we can handle.
Thanks for the recipe.
I don’t think I’ve ever made two identical quiches – and that’s why it’s such a great dish. Your quiche looks very pretty and I’ll file away that idea for arranging the asparagus. I’ve just recently discovered Pear Gorgonzola dressing – yummy!
I love to make quiche! And the asparagus are so yummy this year, that is one of my favorites to make!!!
The quiche looks beautiful and must be delicious with the goat cheese and asparagus. I like to keep readymade pastry in the fridge for when I want a quick dessert when we have unexpected company.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Growing By Leaps And Bounds
Such a pretty dinner too. I need to make quiche more often.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes recently posted..Citrus Cranberry Nazook, an Armenian Pastry
Cathy, perfect! we just picked asparagus and arugula and I have goat cheese and some ham. Sounds like a wonderful and uncomplicated dinner.
Diana recently posted..Chicken Run
As many times as I have made quiche with similar ingredients, I have never used goat cheese. Since that is one of my favorite cheeses, your recipe will be the next quiche.
Linda recently posted..Let’s Go! Part IV
i really don’t use a lot of processed pre-made food ingredients but i’ll agree with you – quiche makes for an excellent quick, nutritious meal any day of the week. I love just using up whatever happens to be the fridge at any given time.
beautiful photography btw!
I love goat cheese and your quiche looks terrific!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Food Writer Fridays – Jessica Wood from Cajunlicious
Cathy
This looks SO yummy!! Haven’t been around much.. Recuperating after hip replacement surgery. Hope to be blogging soon!!
I still have a little ham in my freezer from Easter. that I need to use soon. This would be a delicious way to use it! I always have a package of puff pastry in my freezer and usually a package of potato gnocchi in the pantry.
Susan recently posted..A Salad for All Seasons
I love a good & classic goat’s cheese & asparagus tart a lot! 🙂 Happy baking & great for entertaining too! 🙂 Your creation looks just stunning to look at! 😉
Sophie recently posted..Vegan spelt rhubarb cake with chocolate chips
This quiche looks wonderful.
Yum!! Looks delicious!
Tanya@TakeSix recently posted..Take 5 With Kathy
This not only looks spectacular, but I bet it tastes spectacular.Thank you for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
I made this for company this week and loved it.