Barefoot Contessa’s Delicate Asparagus Quiche Recipe for Brunch

Asparagus quiche brings elegance to any meal with its delicate, creamy texture and vibrant green essence.

Most home cooks shy away from creating such a sophisticated dish, believing it requires professional culinary skills.

Crisp seasonal vegetables nestled within a golden, flaky crust create a sensory experience that elevates simple ingredients.

The combination of silky eggs, robust cheese, and tender asparagus transforms an ordinary brunch into a memorable gathering.

Subtle hints of smoky bacon complement the quiche’s light, airy profile, making each bite a delightful exploration of flavor.

Preparation becomes surprisingly straightforward when you approach the recipe with confidence and attention to detail: come craft your culinary masterpiece.

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Asparagus Quiche Hits the Spot

• Savor Springtime Freshness: This quiche celebrates asparagus at its peak, bringing vibrant green vegetables and delicate flavor directly to your plate with a seasonal twist.
• Transform Simple Ingredients: Bacon, eggs, and asparagus merge into an elegant dish that elevates everyday ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal without complicated techniques.
• Create Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for brunch gatherings or leisurely weekend mornings, this quiche can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature, making entertaining stress-free and delightful.
• Enjoy Textural Harmony: Crispy bacon pieces, tender asparagus, creamy Swiss cheese, and silky egg custard create a beautiful symphony of textures in every single bite, ensuring each forkful is exciting and satisfying.

Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche Ingredient Rundown

Main Ingredients:

• Pie Shell: Buttery and flaky base for the quiche, store-bought or homemade works well.
• Egg Whites: Creates a protective barrier to prevent soggy crust and add shine.

• Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and crispy texture, choose thick-cut for best results.
• Eggs: Creates rich, creamy custard base, fresh eggs provide better flavor and texture.
• Swiss Cheese: Provides creamy, mild melting quality, select high-quality imported variety.

• Asparagus: Brings fresh, green flavor and tender texture, choose young, thin spears for best taste.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Half-and-Half: Creates smooth, rich custard texture, provides luxurious mouthfeel.

• Nutmeg: Adds warm, subtle background flavor, freshly grated offers superior taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use kosher or sea salt for better seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground recommended.

Step-by-Step Guide to Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Asparagus

Crank up your oven to 400°F. Place asparagus in a steamer basket with an inch of water. Cover and steam for 2-6 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook bacon until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Crumble into small pieces.

Step 3: Assemble Quiche Base

• Crumbled bacon
• Steamed asparagus
• Shredded Swiss cheese

Step 4: Prepare Creamy Filling

• Eggs
• Half-and-half
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 5: Combine and Bake

Pour the egg mixture over the cheese and vegetable layer. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is set and edges are golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and let the quiche rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious homemade quiche!

Best Tips for Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche

• Choose Seasonal Asparagus: Select bright green, firm asparagus spears with tight, compact tips for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Crisp Bacon Technique: Cook bacon until perfectly crisp and drain on paper towels to remove excess grease, ensuring a crunchy texture throughout the quiche.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Blind baking the pie shell creates a protective barrier that keeps the bottom crisp and flaky, blocking moisture from the egg mixture.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use high-quality Swiss cheese for a rich, nutty flavor that complements the delicate asparagus and adds creamy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the quiche in advance and reheat gently to maintain its delicate texture and allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Keeping Asparagus Quiche Fresh—Barefoot Style

• Refrigerator: Seal leftover slices in a tight, glass container to maintain maximum freshness. Separate quiche pieces with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve delicate texture. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator to extend its life and keep flavors intact.
• Freezer: Slice quiche before freezing for convenient individual portions. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, ensuring the quiche retains its creamy consistency and delicate flavor profile.
• Counter: Allow freshly baked quiche to cool completely at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before storing. Never leave the quiche out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

New Takes on Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche

• Vegetarian Veggie Fusion: Swap bacon for roasted portobello mushrooms, adding a rich umami flavor and keeping the protein content high. Replace Swiss cheese with creamy goat cheese for an extra tangy touch.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh oregano to create a Mediterranean-inspired quiche. Incorporate spinach instead of asparagus for a different green vegetable profile.
• Smoked Salmon Elegance: Substitute bacon with delicate smoked salmon pieces and add fresh dill. Mix in some cream cheese with the egg mixture to create a luxurious, silky texture that complements the fish.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Replace asparagus with roasted green chiles and swap Swiss cheese for pepper jack. Sprinkle chorizo instead of bacon to give the quiche a zesty, bold southwestern flavor profile.

Wrapping It Up: Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche

Quiche magic emerges from Barefoot Contessa’s kitchen, blending classic French technique with modern American comfort.

Asparagus and bacon create a harmonious flavor profile that sings with each delectable bite.

Creamy Swiss cheese melts into silky egg custard, delivering extraordinary texture and depth.

Mediterranean influences dance through nutmeg’s subtle warmth, elevating this dish beyond ordinary breakfast fare.

Seasonal ingredients transform ordinary moments into culinary celebrations of simplicity and sophistication.

Serve this quiche and watch conversations spark, connections deepen, palates rejoice – share this recipe, drop a comment below, and spread culinary love with friends who crave delicious experiences.

Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa Asparagus Quiche elevates breakfast with French countryside elegance. Crisp pastry cradles delicate asparagus and creamy custard, promising a luxurious morning experience you’ll savor with each sophisticated bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 (8-inch) unbaked pie shells
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 0.5-inch pieces
• 10 slices bacon

Dairy and Cream:

• 1.5 cups half-and-half cream
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten

Seasonings:

• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and prepare a steamer for the asparagus.
2. Place asparagus in the steamer with approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of hot water, cover, and cook for 2 to 6 minutes until tender yet crisp. Remove and let cool completely.
3. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, rotating occasionally for about 10 minutes until uniformly golden brown. Transfer bacon to paper towels to absorb excess grease, then crumble into small pieces.
4. Brush pie crust edges with beaten egg white to create a glossy seal. Distribute crumbled bacon evenly across the pie shell, followed by carefully arranged steamed asparagus.
5. Sprinkle Swiss cheese generously over the asparagus and bacon layer, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well combined. Gently pour the egg mixture over the cheese layer.
7. Transfer the quiche to the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and allow the quiche to cool at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Crisp bacon beforehand transforms the quiche’s texture, preventing soggy disappointments.
• Select tender, bright green asparagus spears at peak freshness for maximum flavor impact.
• Gently season the filling, allowing delicate Swiss cheese and asparagus to shine through.
• Carefully blind bake pie crust to maintain a perfectly golden, flaky foundation.
• Check quiche doneness by gently wiggling the pan – center should barely jiggle when perfectly baked.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 419 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 759 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 132 mg