Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

Quick & Creamy Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

Quiche stands as a culinary masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dining experience.

Seafood lovers will delight in this sophisticated dish that balances delicate flavors with rich textures.

Creamy, luxurious ingredients combine to create a harmonious blend that tantalizes taste buds.

Sophisticated palates recognize the nuanced interplay between delicate seafood and robust cheese in this remarkable preparation.

Skillful techniques transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels both comforting and refined.

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche Stands Out

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche Stands Out
  • Seafood Sensation: This quiche delivers an elegant oceanic flavor with succulent crab meat that elevates the classic egg dish into a gourmet experience.
  • Creamy Texture Magic: Blending heavy cream with eggs creates an incredibly smooth, luxurious custard that perfectly cradles delicate crab pieces and provides a silky mouthfeel.
  • Quick Comfort Cooking: Requiring only 350°F baking and minimal prep time, this recipe offers a sophisticated meal that looks impressive but comes together effortlessly for busy home cooks.
  • Versatile Meal Champion: Perfect for brunch gatherings, light dinners, or special occasions, this quiche transitions seamlessly between casual and elegant dining settings with its rich, balanced flavors.

The Ingredients Behind Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

Pastry Base:
  • Pie Crust: Buttery and flaky foundation for the quiche, pre-baked for crisp texture.
Protein and Cheese:
  • Crab Meat: Fresh, sweet seafood that provides the main protein with delicate flavor.
  • Gruyère Cheese: Rich, nutty cheese that adds depth and helps create a golden crust.
  • Scallions: Fresh, mild onion that brings a subtle sharp freshness to the quiche.
Custard Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Binding agent that creates the creamy, silky quiche texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and smooth consistency.
  • Lemon Zest: Bright citrus note that enhances seafood flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy undertone and complexity to the custard.
  • Seafood Seasoning: Classic blend that complements the crab's natural taste.
  • Salt: Essential for balancing and bringing out other flavors.
  • Mace: Warm, delicate spice with subtle nutmeg-like essence.

Step-by-Step for Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

Step-by-Step for Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit, getting it ready for a delightful quiche adventure.

Step 2: Layer the Delicious Base

Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese across the bottom of the pie crust. Lovingly arrange the crab meat over the cheese, then scatter fresh scallions on top. In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Eggs
  • Heavy cream
  • Lemon zest
  • Dijon mustard
  • Seafood seasoning
  • Salt
  • Mace
  • Mace powder

Carefully pour this creamy mixture into the prepared pie crust, making sure every inch is covered.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Slide the quiche into the preheated oven and bake until it’s golden and set. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for about 40 minutes.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Allow the quiche to sit quietly for an additional 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the quiche set and makes cutting a breeze. Serve warm and enjoy the delicate flavors of this seafood delight!

Tricks to Nail Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

  • Select Fresh Crabmeat: Picking fresh lump crabmeat delivers superior taste and delicate texture that elevates the entire quiche experience.
  • Balance Ingredient Proportions: Carefully layer crab and cheese to prevent overwhelming the delicate crust, keeping every bite perfectly balanced.
  • Choose Gruyere Wisely: This nutty Swiss cheese creates a rich, sophisticated flavor profile that beautifully enhances the subtle sweetness of crab.
  • Minimal Seasoning Strategy: Gently season to preserve the crab's natural delicate flavor, allowing its pure maritime essence to shine through.
  • Perfect Baking Technique: Watch for a golden, slightly firm center when checking doneness, ensuring creamy eggs and a perfectly cooked quiche base.

How to Store Your Crab Quiche Like a Pro

  • Long-Term Preservation: Carefully wrap individual quiche slices in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container to maintain optimal flavor and texture for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the delicate crab and creamy custard.
  • Quick Refrigeration: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. Consume within 3 days for the best taste and food safety, keeping the container in the coolest part of the refrigerator.
  • Portion Control: Slice the quiche before storing, which allows for easier reheating and prevents unnecessary repeated warming that could compromise the dish's delicate texture. Use portion-sized containers for convenient grab-and-go meals that retain the quiche's original freshness and flavor.

Flavor Switch-Ups for Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

  • Seafood Sensation: Replace crab meat with succulent shrimp or a mix of fresh lobster and crab for an elegant ocean-inspired quiche.
  • Mediterranean Marvel: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil to create a Greek-inspired seafood quiche with bright Mediterranean flavors.
  • Smoky Bacon Boost: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits and swap scallions for caramelized onions to introduce a rich, smoky element that complements the delicate seafood.
  • Vegetarian Veggie Remix: Substitute crab meat with roasted vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and bell peppers for a colorful, protein-packed vegetarian alternative that maintains the creamy quiche texture.

A Tasty End to Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s crab quiche, blending coastal elegance with home kitchen simplicity.

Mediterranean flavors dance across delicate pastry, promising sophisticated comfort for discerning palates.

Seafood lovers will discover pure indulgence in each creamy, herb-infused slice.

Scallions and lemon zest elevate classic quiche into a gourmet experience that whispers sophisticated charm.

Weekend brunch transforms into a celebration of coastal cuisine with this remarkable recipe.

Share this delectable dish, spark conversation around your table, inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to explore, and spread gastronomic joy through social channels – you are now an epicurean storyteller.

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Low Carb Keto High Protein Tuna Salad Recipe

Low Carb Keto High Protein Tuna Salad Recipe


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4.7 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Keto tuna salad delivers a protein-packed punch without carb guilt. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a zesty, creamy experience you can savor with confidence.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cans (140g/5 oz each) Tuna, drained (chunk light and solid white albacore)
  • 4 large Hard-boiled eggs, diced
  • 120g (½ cup) Mayonnaise

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 30g (¼ cup) Celery, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons White onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Pickles, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley, chopped

Seasoning:

  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon Sea salt (or to taste)
  • ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the creamy dressing foundation by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, finely chopped fresh parsley, and sweet paprika in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and velvety.
  2. Enhance the dressing with a precise sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, carefully adjusting the seasoning to create a balanced flavor profile.
  3. Drain the canned tuna thoroughly, ensuring minimal moisture remains, and gently fold the flaked fish into the seasoned dressing mixture.
  4. Incorporate finely diced crisp celery stalks, tangy chopped pickles, and delicately minced red onions into the tuna blend, distributing the ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
  5. Carefully segment hard-boiled eggs into small, uniform cubes and tenderly fold them into the tuna salad, maintaining a light touch to prevent excessive breaking.
  6. Allow the tuna salad to rest in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled.
  7. Optionally, serve the tuna salad atop fresh lettuce leaves, between slices of toasted whole wheat bread, or as a standalone protein-rich dish garnished with additional chopped herbs.

Notes

  • Let moisture escape completely when preparing tuna, preventing soggy texture and ensuring a perfectly balanced salad.
  • Select premium mayonnaise as the flavor foundation, preferring homemade or keto-friendly options for superior taste profile.
  • Handle boiled eggs delicately during chopping, maintaining distinct texture and avoiding mushy consistency.
  • Refrigerate the mixture briefly to allow ingredients to harmonize and develop deeper, more complex flavors.
  • Customize seasoning thoughtfully after combining ingredients, ensuring perfect salt and pepper balance based on individual ingredient characteristics.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 398
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 1180mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 8.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 744mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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