Mini Quiches (Any Flavour)

Mini Quiches can be adapted to any flavour. Using up those existing perishable ingredients is always a win! Similarly, in honour of Earth Month, I am sharing my Top 7 Dietitian Tips to Reduce Food Waste, which includes using versatile “Fridge-Cleaner” meals, like these Mini Quiches. Let’s cut down on waste, save the environment and money too. 

This post was sponsored by the Egg Farmers of Ontario, as always, all opinions are genuine.

Why I Love Mini Quiches?

• Delicious and an easy crowd-pleaser! 
• Bite-sized (which is fun too).
• Customizable based on ingredients you have (i.e. leftover bruschetta filling or leeks, ham, gouda and chives as in photograph below).
• Easy-to-make and you can invite kids in the kitchen for building valuable food skills.  
• Inexpensive to make quiches at home, compared to high cost of buying.
• Easy to freeze & reheat.

Let your leftover veggies, meat and cheese inspire your Mini Quiche meals!

How Much Food Are We Wasting? 

The average Canadian household wastes over $35 a week (~ $1,800/year) on good, uneaten food. This equates to about 10% of the total grocery bill. Similarly, 60% of this food waste is avoidable, meaning that food simply goes bad before we have a chance to use it. Unavoidable food waste includes things like egg shells, coffee grinds and bones.   

DYK: 47% of food waste in Canada is generated at the household level. 

How Eggs Help Us Reduce Food Waste:

Eggs help reduce food waste since they are central to many versatile “Fridge-Cleaner” meals. By tossing in those perishable ingredients, you have completely flexible, egg-based options. For example, you could plan easy omelette night, Frittata, Egg Flatbreads, Stir-Fried Rice and loaded Breakfast Sandwiches for nutritionally balanced and delicious meals. Quite literally, think of these recipes as ways to “clean your fridge” of stray or forgotten veggies.

In my dietitian kitchen, I ALWAYS have at least two dozen eggs ready to make easy, versatile meals (not just breakfast).  What a nutrition superstar – only 70 calories, 6 grams of high-quality protein and 14 essential nutrients per egg! Also, remember not to skip the yolk where we receive half the protein and most of the nutrition. Plus, eggs are part of a heart-healthy and liver-healthy diet.

How To Make Mini Quiches: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 375F. 
2. Use a non-stick fry pan to sauté veggies/meat/fillings of choice in a little butter or olive oil. Set aside. 
3. In a large measuring cup, mix eggs, milk, pinch of Kosher salt and pepper. I love how easy this makes it to pour into mini quiche shells. See recipe card below for exact amounts.

4. Place pre-made mini quiche shells on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Use a fork to make an “X” in the middle of the pie crust. Bake in oven for 8 minutes.

5. Allow pastry to cool slightly. Then add your fillings. I add use a teaspoon or fingers to add cheese and fillings until just over half full. 

6. Next, slowly pour in the egg mixture to avoid overfilling. 

7. Bake Mini Quiches for 12-20 minutes or until puffed, golden brown and set. Allow to cool before serving.

8. Finally, if you have extra egg mixture you can make crustless quiches using a non-stick spray and mini muffin tins. 

Versatile Add-Ins for Mini Quiches: 

Let your fridge be your guide for ingredients to add. Here are some of my go-to additions: 

• Veggies – Mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, leeks, onions, etc. 
• Proteins – Ham & bacon.
• Cheese – Swiss, cheddar, gouda, feta, etc. 
• Herbs – Chives, Scallions or Parsley

Can I Skip the Pie Crust for Mini Quiche?

Yes, you can forgo the pie crust and make what I call Mini Egg Muffins. Use mini (or regular) muffin tins and a non-stick cooking spay. Then add your veggies and pour your egg batter on top, as you would if making the Mini Quiche. The bake time will be shorter (around 10 minutes) as you just want the eggs to set. Place on a cooling rack and enjoy. 

Use your Mini Quiche egg filling to make crustless quiche as well! 

When To Serve Mini Quiches? 

Quiches are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. However, don’t stop there – they’re an upscale crowd-pleaser for baby showers, bridal showers, potlucks, Easter, BBQ’s, tea parties and more.

 

What to Serve Mini Quiches With?

• Salad like Spinach Salad
• Grilled veggies
• Homemade muffins like Pumpkin Banana Muffins
• Variety of meats & cheeses on a Charcuterie Board
• Bean or Rainbow Lentil Salad
• Fruit salad
• Pasta salad

Watch Andrea on CHCH Morning Live!

Andrea’s top 3 tips to reduce Food Waste for Earth Day & these Mini Quiches are featured too.