Best Spinach Quiche Or Gratin Adapted From Julia Child Recipes

QUICHE AUX EPINARDS (SPINACH QUICHE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake pastry shell for 9-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Cook the shallots or onions for a moment in the butter.
• Add the spinach and stir over moderate heat for several minutes to evaporate all its water.
• Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg and taste carefully for seasonings and set aside.
• Beat the eggs, cream and seasonings in a mixing bowl.
• Gradually stir in spinach mixture.
• Pour into partially baked pastry shell.
• Sprinkle with cheese and dot the top with butter.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.
• The quiche is done when a knife plunged into the center comes out clean. Serve immediately.
• Note: If adding bacon, press pieces into bottom of the pastry shell before filling.

GRATIN DAUPHINOIS - INSPIRED BY JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and adjust oven rack to top third of oven.
• Rub the baking dish with cut garlic to impart a hint of flavor. (I use a large, shallow corningware dish that I can place both on the stovetop and in the oven.).
• Grease the baking dish with a bit of vegetable oil.
• Slice the potatoes about 1/8 inch thick and spread half of the slices in the bottom of the dish.
• Top with half of the salt, pepper, cheese and dots of butter.
• Repeat with the remaining slices and topping.
• Pour on the boiling milk. The amount of milk depends on the size of the baking dish and how full of potatoes it is. You just want to almost cover the potatoes with the milk.
• Set the baking dish over heat (on the stove is OK if you're using Corningware or the equivalent).
• When the milk starts to simmer, transfer the baking dish to the oven.
• Bake 20-30 minutes until potatoes are tender, milk has been absorbed, and top is brown.

SWISS CHEESE QUICHE (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• To partly bake the pastry shell:.
• Bake in middle of oven at 400 degrees F. for 8-9 minutes.
• For filling:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place oven rack in upper third of oven.
• Beat eggs.
• Add enough cream (or milk or cream-milk combination) so that eggs and cream measure 1 1/2 cups total.
• Add salt, nutmeg and pepper; mix through.
• Stir in cheese. Check seasoning.
• Pour into pastry shell and distribute butter pieces on top. Place on baking sheet.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or til puffed and browned.
• Slide quiche onto a hot platter and serve.

ONION QUICHE OR GRATIN (ADAPTED FROM JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• Place oven rack in upper third of oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook onions in butter over very low heat til tender and golden, stirring occasionally (about 1 hour). Remove from heat and let cool somewhat.
• Add flour; cook over low heat for 2 or 3 minutes.
• In a bowl, combine eggs, milk or cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Beat til well blended.
• Gradually add onions and half cheese. Check seasoning.
• Pour into pastry shell or baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Place on baking sheet.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until puffed and browned.
• NOTE: To partly bake the pastry shell: Bake in middle of oven at 400 degrees F. for 8-9 minutes.

MUSHROOM QUICHE OR GRATIN - ADAPTED FROM JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• To partly bake the pastry shell: Bake in middle of oven at 400 degrees F. for 8-9 minutes.
• To make the mushroom filling:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place oven rack in upper third of oven.
• Saute mushrooms in butter until they exude their juices, the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are starting to brown slightly.
• Mix together mushrooms, onion, salt and lemon juice; set aside.
• Beat together eggs, milk, nutmeg and pepper. Gradually stir in mushroom mixture. Check seasoning.
• Pour into pastry shell. Sprinkle cheese on top. Place on baking sheet.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until puffed and browned.