Mini Bacon and Mushroom Quiches
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast, Brunch
Serves: 5-6
Ingredients
  • Pate Brisee (savory tart dough)
  • 250 g cake flour (about 2 cups)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 125 g very cold unsalted butter, cubed (1 stick, ½ cup)
  • 65 milliliters (1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon) very cold water
  • Parchment paper and dried beans or pie weights will be needed
  • Filling
  • 4 pieces of bacon, cut into strips
  • 4-5 mushrooms, quartered and sliced
  • ⅓ cup of grated Gruyere cheese
  • ¼ cup finely diced caramelized onions (optional)
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • pinch of cayenne
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
  1. Mix together the salt and flour and arrange neatly in a pile on your countertop.
  2. With a bench scraper, pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour until it resembles course sand.
  3. Push the flour and butter mixture into a neat pile, and then create a well in the center. (you should be able to see your counter or cutting board). Pour the water in the center of the well, and gradually incorporate the water into flour. At this point you can put your tools aside and work with your hands.
  4. Collect the dough into a rough pile, and with the bottom of the palm of your hand, push the dough forward in a sweeping motion. Collect the dough again, and repeat until the dough just comes together. Be sure not to overwork the dough, or else the heat from your hands will melt the butter.
  5. Create a disk with your hands and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  6. While the tart shells are chilling, cut out circles larger than the mini tart shells (enough so that there is enough overhang to cover the edges of the crust) Crumple up the circles so they are easier to manipulate.
  7. When ready for use, preheat the oven to 325 F. Remove your chilled dough from the plastic and place on a lightly floured work surface (all purpose is fine for this). Don't try and work with the dough when it is too cold, or it will crack. Cut your dough into the number of tarts you think you will be able to make. It's better to underestimate how many you think you will make, because if your tart crusts are too thin, they will not be able to hold the liquid in the center and will leak. (trust me, I know)
  8. Roll out the dough to about a ¼ of an inch. Gently press into your molds and with a fork, puncture the bottom of each tart multiple times to prevent the dough from rising or bubbling during baking.
  9. Place the parchment paper on each of the tart shells and fill with uncooked beans or pie weights.
  10. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the parchment and beans/weights and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Filling
  1. Over medium/low heat, slowly caramelized the finely chopped onions until golden brown. Reserve.
  2. Saute the pieces of sliced bacon until crispy and let drain and dry on a paper towel; leaving some of the bacon grease in the pan.
  3. Saute the mushrooms in the grease over medium heat until tender, and reserve.
  4. Sprinkle some of the mushrooms, onions and bacon on the bottom of each of the tart shell. Then sprinkle each with the grated cheese.
  5. Whisk together the egg, milk, cream, salt, cayenne and nutmeg in a small bowl. Evenly distribute the mixture between the shells.
  6. Keeping the oven at 325, bake for about 10 minutes. When the tops are very lightly golden and no longer giggle when moved, remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5-10 minutes.
  7. Carefully remove from the quiches from their shells and serve.
Recipe by A Sue Chef at http://www.asuechef.com/mini-bacon-and-mushroom-quiches/