Zesty Mediterranean Mint Quiche

Easy & Healthy Mediterranean Quiche Recipe: A Delightful Culinary Journey

Embark on a culinary journey to the sun-drenched coasts with our incredibly easy and exceptionally flavorful Mediterranean Quiche. This isn’t just any quiche; it’s a vibrant symphony of fresh, nutritious ingredients, featuring the crisp sweetness of red pepper, the tender goodness of zucchini, the creamy richness of Emmental cheese, and the bright, aromatic touch of fresh mint. Designed for simplicity without compromising on taste, it’s a perfect dish for any meal – be it a casual brunch, a wholesome lunch, or a light, healthy dinner.

We understand the joy of discovering simple yet impressive recipes. That’s why this Mediterranean quiche has quickly become a favorite in our kitchen. If you’re passionate about fuss-free quiche creations that deliver on flavor, we highly recommend exploring our collection of French quiche recipes, including our beloved French mushroom quiche. Each recipe offers a unique twist on this classic French dish, promising delicious results every time.

Blissful mediterranean quiche. Red pepper, red onion, garlic, zucchini & tomato make this quiche tasty & nutritious. | ahedgehoginthekitchen.com

This Mediterranean quiche is truly a revelation. To create this wholesome and delicious dish, you’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients: a vibrant red onion, one crisp red bell pepper, a fragrant clove of garlic, a large and juicy tomato, one medium zucchini, and seven fragrant mint leaves. For the base, we rely on a pre-made roll of high-quality pastry dough (organic, if possible, for the best flavor). The creamy custard filling comes together with three eggs and a touch of cream, complemented by your favorite cheese. While we opted for Swiss Emmental for its nutty notes, a sharp cheddar would also be incredibly delicious, offering a different but equally amazing flavor profile.

What truly sets this quiche apart is our secret ingredient: a unique blend of spices called Ras-el-Hanout. This North African spice mix brings a warm, complex, and deeply aromatic flavor that perfectly complements the Mediterranean vegetables. If Ras-el-Hanout isn’t readily available in your local market, don’t worry! You can achieve a similar aromatic depth by substituting it with 1 teaspoon of good quality curry powder. The spice combinations, while distinct, share a similar philosophy of layering flavors. To delve deeper into the fascinating world of spices and elevate your cooking, we invite you to download our free printable spice guide, packed with tips and inspiration.

Blissful mediterranean quiche. Red pepper, red onion, garlic, zucchini & tomato make this quiche tasty & nutritious. | ahedgehoginthekitchen.com

While your delightful quiche bakes to golden perfection in the oven, why not prepare a refreshingly healthy dessert to enjoy later? These sugar-free matcha chocolate popsicles are a fantastic option, offering a guilt-free sweet treat that perfectly balances the savory notes of your main course.

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Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Quiche: The Perfect Addition to Your Meal Plan

This delightful Mediterranean quiche is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor fresh flavors and enjoy effortless cooking. Here’s why this dish is poised to become a staple in your kitchen:

  • You Get Excited About Easy and Delicious Meals! Forget complicated culinary endeavors. This quiche is straightforward to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings. Its vibrant flavors will impress without requiring hours in the kitchen.
  • You Love Meal Planning – This Quiche Fits So Beautifully into a Healthy Dinners Meal Plan. If you’re someone who appreciates the efficiency and health benefits of meal planning, this quiche is a dream come true. It’s packed with vegetables, offers a good source of protein, and can be made ahead of time, ensuring you have a wholesome meal ready to go.
  • You Love Experimenting with Spices. The inclusion of Ras-el-Hanout or curry powder introduces an exciting, exotic element, transforming a simple quiche into a memorable dish. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore new flavor profiles and expand your spice repertoire.
  • You’re Looking for a Healthy Meal with a European Twist! Inspired by the vibrant and wholesome ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine, this quiche brings a taste of Europe to your table. It’s light, fresh, and brimming with nutrients, aligning perfectly with a healthy lifestyle.
  • It’s Versatile: Enjoy it warm straight from the oven, or cold the next day. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple packed lunch.
  • Rich in Nutrients: Loaded with red pepper, zucchini, and tomato, this quiche offers a generous serving of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a well-balanced diet.
Blissful mediterranean quiche. Red pepper, red onion, garlic, zucchini & tomato make this quiche tasty & nutritious. | ahedgehoginthekitchen.com

Key Ingredients for a Flavorful Mediterranean Quiche

The beauty of this quiche lies in its fresh, wholesome ingredients, each contributing to its unique Mediterranean profile:

  • Red Onion: Provides a subtle sweetness and aromatic base when sautéed, adding depth to the vegetable mixture.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Brings a lovely crunch, vibrant color, and sweet flavor. Rich in Vitamin C, it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
  • Garlic: The cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, garlic adds an indispensable pungent aroma and savory kick.
  • Tomato: A large, juicy tomato lends a burst of freshness and a slight tang, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream.
  • Zucchini: A quintessential summer vegetable, zucchini adds moisture and a delicate texture. It’s low in calories and high in water content.
  • Mint Leaves: This might seem an unusual addition to a savory dish, but mint is commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. It provides a refreshing, bright, and slightly peppery note that elevates the entire quiche, cutting through the richness beautifully.
  • Pastry Dough: We recommend a good quality, pre-made puff pastry for ease, but a homemade shortcrust pastry would also be divine if you have the time. Using organic dough ensures the best flavor and avoids unnecessary additives.
  • Eggs and Cream: The essential duo for a silky-smooth quiche custard. They bind the ingredients together, creating that irresistible creamy texture.
  • Emmental Cheese: A semi-hard Swiss cheese, Emmental melts beautifully and offers a mild, nutty, and slightly buttery flavor. As mentioned, cheddar or even a mix of Gruyère and Parmesan could be excellent alternatives for different flavor profiles.
  • Ras-el-Hanout (or Curry Powder): This spice blend is what truly infuses the quiche with its exotic, warm, and inviting aroma. Ras-el-Hanout typically includes a blend of cardamom, clove, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, and turmeric, among others. Curry powder, while different, provides a similar warmth and complexity.
  • Olive Oil, Salt & Black Pepper: The holy trinity of Mediterranean cooking, used to enhance and season the natural flavors of the vegetables.

The Art of Making an Easy Quiche: Tips for Perfection

While this recipe emphasizes ease, a few simple tips can elevate your Mediterranean quiche to gourmet status:

  1. Perfecting the Crust: Even with pre-made pastry dough, a little attention goes a long way. Blind baking the crust (as instructed) is crucial to prevent a soggy bottom. The baking beans or pie weights ensure it holds its shape. Make sure your dough is cold before rolling it out and transferring it to the mold for the best results.
  2. Sautéing Vegetables: Don’t rush this step. Allowing the onions, peppers, and garlic to gently soften and caramelize will bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor. This forms the aromatic foundation of your quiche filling. Adding the tomato later prevents it from becoming too watery.
  3. The Custard Base: Whisk the eggs and cream thoroughly, but don’t over-whisk, as too much air can cause the custard to puff up excessively and then fall. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
  4. Layering is Key: Pouring the egg mixture first and then gently spooning the vegetable mixture over it helps distribute the vegetables evenly, rather than having them sink to the bottom. Adding the cheese on top ensures a golden, bubbly crust.
  5. Don’t Overbake: Quiche is done when the edges are set, and the center has a slight wobble. It will continue to set as it cools. Overbaking can lead to a dry, rubbery texture.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Mediterranean quiche is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes:

  • Fresh Green Salad: As mentioned in the recipe, a crisp green salad is the perfect accompaniment. We particularly love it with peppery arugula dressed simply with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. A vinaigrette with a touch of balsamic or red wine vinegar would also be excellent.
  • Light Soup: For a more substantial meal, serve alongside a light vegetable soup, such as a chilled gazpacho in summer or a warm tomato soup in cooler months.
  • Crusty Bread: A slice of artisanal crusty bread is ideal for soaking up any flavorful juices and adding textural contrast.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Complement the quiche’s fillings with additional roasted Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, cherry tomatoes, or more zucchini.
  • Beverage Pairings: A chilled glass of rosé, as you imagined, would be exquisite! Alternatively, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied red would also complement the flavors. For non-alcoholic options, iced tea with mint or sparkling water with lemon would be refreshing.

Storage and Reheating Tips

One of the best qualities of quiche is how well it stores, making it an excellent option for meal prep:

  • Cool Completely: Always allow the quiche to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating. This prevents condensation and keeps the crust from getting soggy.
  • Refrigeration: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices or the entire quiche (uncooked or cooked). Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating:
    • Oven: For best results, reheat slices in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the crust is crisp. For a whole quiche, it might take 25-30 minutes.
    • Microwave: While convenient, the microwave can make the crust soft. Heat individual slices on medium power for 1-2 minutes until warm.

We hope you love this blissful Mediterranean quiche as much as we do! Can’t you imagine yourself enjoying a slice with a glass of rosé in hand, perhaps on a sunny patio? We certainly can.

If you are looking for more delicious quiche recipes to expand your repertoire, we have you covered with this goat cheese and zucchini quiche, this pumpkin goat cheese quiche and this sweet potato and leek quiche, which is very similar to a savory quiche.

More Quiche Recipes to Explore

  • French Tomato Tart
  • French Mushroom Quiche
  • Quiche Florentine
  • French Quiche Recipes
  • Pumpkin Goat Cheese Quiche
  • Goat Cheese Zucchini Quiche

Mediterranean Quiche Recipe Card

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Blissful mediterranean quiche. Red pepper, red onion, garlic, zucchini & tomato make this quiche tasty & nutritious. | ahedgehoginthekitchen.com

Blissful Mediterranean Quiche


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  • Author: Alix and Hugo
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: For 4
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Description

Learn to make this blissful Mediterranean quiche, a vibrant and healthy dish perfect for any meal, packed with red pepper, zucchini, Emmental cheese, and a refreshing hint of mint. Easy to prepare and full of flavor!


Ingredients


Scale

  • 1 red onion (sliced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 clove of garlic (diced)
  • 1 tomato (diced)
  • 1 tsp of ras-el-hanout (or curry powder)
  • 1/4 tsp of hot pepper
  • 1 medium zucchini (sliced)
  • 7 mint leaves (chopped)
  • 1 pastry dough (we use organic)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup of cream
  • 1/2 cup of Emmental cheese or your favorite cheese (cut into cubes)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper


Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat.
  2. Add sliced red onion and a pinch of salt.
  3. Cook for 4 minutes until softened.
  4. Add sliced red bell pepper and diced garlic.
  5. Continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  6. Stir in the diced tomato and ras-el-hanout (or curry powder).
  7. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  8. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C.
  9. Carefully line a tart or quiche mold (we used an 11-inch mold) with your chosen pastry dough.
  10. Place baking beans or pie weights on the puff pastry to keep it from rising excessively in the oven during blind baking.
  11. Put the prepared crust in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  12. Meanwhile, add the sliced zucchini and chopped mint to the vegetable mixture in the pan. Stir to combine and cook for just a few minutes until zucchini is slightly tender.
  13. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  14. Remove the blind-baked puff pastry from the oven and carefully remove the baking beans.
  15. Pour the egg mixture evenly into the partially baked quiche crust.
  16. Evenly spoon the cooked vegetable mixture over the egg custard in the quiche mold.
  17. Scatter the cubed Emmental cheese (or your preferred cheese) on top of the filling.
  18. Return the quiche to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is fully cooked through, the filling is set, and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
  19. Let the quiche cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm with a fresh green salad (our favorite pairing is with peppery arugula!).

Notes

We used an 11-inch quiche mold for this recipe. Adjust baking times slightly if using a different size. For an extra golden crust, you can brush the edges of the pastry with an egg wash before blind baking.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Category: Easy and healthy dinner, brunch
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, French

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