Ultimate Lobster, Asparagus & Gruyere Quiche: A Decadent Brunch Delight
Elevate your brunch experience with this exquisite Lobster, Asparagus and Gruyere Quiche. It’s the perfect blend of rich flavors and elegant presentation, making it an ideal choice for any special occasion or a luxurious weekend treat. Despite its sophisticated appeal, this quiche is surprisingly easy to prepare, allowing you to create an impressive meal without the stress. Serve it alongside a crisp glass of champagne and some fresh greens dressed with a zesty Easy Lemon Dijon Dressing for a truly memorable spread.
Why This Quiche is a Brunch Star
Quiche, a savory custard baked in a pie crust, has long been a beloved staple of French cuisine, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch. What makes this particular quiche truly stand out is the luxurious combination of its key ingredients. Imagine succulent lobster, tender roasted asparagus, and the nutty, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Gruyere cheese, all enveloped in a creamy egg custard and a flaky crust. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that feels incredibly special yet is entirely achievable for the home cook.
A Brief History of Quiche
Originating in the Lorraine region of France, the traditional Quiche Lorraine features a rich custard with bacon and cheese. Over centuries, quiche has evolved, incorporating a vast array of fillings from vegetables to various meats and seafood. This Lobster, Asparagus & Gruyere Quiche pays homage to its classic roots while introducing a touch of modern luxury, transforming a rustic dish into an elegant centerpiece. It’s the kind of dish that sparks conversation and leaves a lasting impression.
The Star Ingredients: Lobster, Asparagus & Gruyere
Mastering the Lobster: Tips for Perfectly Cooked Seafood
Don’t let cooking lobster intimidate you! It’s far easier than you might think, much like preparing shrimp. For this recipe, we only need about 1 cup of cooked lobster meat, which typically comes from two 5-6 oz lobster tails. When purchasing, you can opt for fresh or frozen tails; if frozen, ensure they are fully thawed before cooking. If lobster isn’t readily available or you prefer an alternative, large shrimp, chopped into bite-sized pieces, make an excellent substitute.
Here’s how to prepare your lobster tails:
- Choose a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, large enough to comfortably hold your lobster tails.
- Add about 1 inch of water to the pan, just enough to steam the tails, and a pinch of salt to season the water.
- Carefully place the lobster tails into the saucepan, cover with the lid, and cook for approximately 5 minutes. The lobster is done when the meat turns plump and opaque. Be careful not to overcook, as it will continue to cook slightly in the quiche, and we want it to remain tender.
- Immediately remove the cooked tails and rinse them under cold water. This crucial step stops the cooking process, preventing the lobster from becoming tough.
- Once cooled, extract the meat from the shells. Gently pat away any excess liquid with a paper towel and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. Your perfectly cooked lobster is now ready for the quiche!
Asparagus: Freshness and Flavor
Asparagus adds a delightful hint of spring, a vibrant color, and a slightly earthy sweetness that beautifully complements the richness of lobster and Gruyere. When selecting asparagus, look for firm, bright green spears with tightly closed tips. Roasting the asparagus beforehand is key for this recipe, as it concentrates its flavor and ensures it’s perfectly tender without becoming watery in the quiche.
Preparation: Wash the asparagus spears and snap off the tough, woody ends. Drizzle them with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven until tender-crisp. The roasting time will vary based on thickness, typically around 15-20 minutes. Once cooled, chop them into 2-inch pieces.
Gruyere: The Cheese That Makes it Shine
Gruyere cheese is a non-negotiable ingredient in this quiche. Its distinct nutty, slightly sweet, and savory flavor profile, combined with its excellent melting properties, creates an incredibly creamy and satisfying texture within the custard. While other cheeses might work, Gruyere truly elevates this dish to gourmet status. Look for a good quality block of Gruyere and shred it yourself for the best results, as pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect melt and texture.
The Perfect Crust: Homemade or Store-Bought?
A great quiche starts with a great crust. While a homemade flaky pie crust is always a treat, a good quality store-bought frozen pie shell works beautifully and saves a significant amount of time, making this elegant dish accessible even on busy mornings. If using a frozen shell, ensure it’s unbaked and ready to fill. For an extra crisp bottom, some bakers prefer to blind bake their crust partially before adding the filling, especially for wetter fillings. However, for this recipe, simply pouring the mixture into the frozen shell works perfectly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Elegant Quiche
With your lobster and asparagus prepped, the rest of the quiche assembly is a breeze. In about 45 minutes of baking time, you’ll have an impressive, golden-brown quiche that your family or guests will absolutely rave about. The key is to combine the wet and dry ingredients properly and ensure an even distribution of your delicious fillings.
Once you’ve followed the preparation steps for the asparagus and lobster as outlined above, the remaining process is straightforward. Preheat your oven, whisk your eggs and milk with seasonings, then gently fold in the flour-coated Gruyere, followed by your glorious lobster and asparagus. Pour it all into your waiting pie shell, and let your oven do the rest. The aroma filling your kitchen will be a testament to the deliciousness to come!
Lobster Asparagus and Gruyere Quiche
Ana | Claudia’s Table
February 16, 2020
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pie shell frozen, 9-inch
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half for a richer quiche
- 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced, white and green parts
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper freshly ground for best flavor
- 1 dash nutmeg freshly grated if possible
- 1 cup cooked lobster meat chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup roasted asparagus chopped into 2-inch pieces
Instructions
-
Prepare Asparagus: Wash and dry asparagus spears. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until tender-crisp, depending on thickness. Allow to cool slightly and chop into 2-inch pieces.
-
Prepare Lobster: In a saucepan with a tight lid, add about 1 inch of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Place 2 lobster tails (approx. 5-6 oz each) in the pan, cover, and steam for about 5 minutes until plump and opaque. Immediately remove and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Once cooled, remove meat from shells, pat dry, and chop into bite-sized pieces. You should have about 1 cup of cooked lobster meat.
-
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
-
Prepare Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, chopped green onions, salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg until well combined.
-
Combine Cheese and Flour: In a separate medium bowl, toss the shredded Gruyere cheese with the all-purpose flour until the cheese is evenly coated. This step helps prevent the cheese from sinking to the bottom of the quiche.
-
Assemble Filling: Add the flour-coated cheese mixture to the egg mixture. Stir well to combine. Gently fold in the prepared roasted asparagus pieces and chopped lobster meat.
-
Pour into Shell: Carefully pour the entire quiche mixture into the frozen pie shell. Distribute the lobster and asparagus evenly.
-
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the quiche is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The center should be set, with only a slight jiggle.
-
Cool & Serve: Let the quiche cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the custard to fully set. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings
This Lobster, Asparagus & Gruyere Quiche is a meal in itself, but it truly shines when presented as part of a thoughtful brunch spread. A crisp, vibrant salad with a light vinaigrette, such as the Easy Lemon Dijon Dressing, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the quiche’s richness. For drinks, nothing says “brunch” quite like a glass of chilled champagne, a mimosa, or even a sparkling rosé. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, consider adding other complementary dishes that are equally easy to make but impressive, like our Weekend Breakfast Casserole or a hearty Deep Dish Bacon and Broccoli Quiche to offer variety.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
One of the best things about quiche is its make-ahead potential. You can prepare and bake the entire quiche a day in advance. Simply allow it to cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. To reheat, warm it gently in a preheated oven (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through, usually about 15-20 minutes, or individual slices in the microwave. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, slices can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as desired.
Variations to Explore
While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always get creative! For a slightly different flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the egg mixture for a subtle kick. Fresh dill or chives would also make a lovely addition to the filling. If you’re looking to change the vegetables, cooked spinach (squeezed dry) or sautéed mushrooms could be interesting substitutes for asparagus. And for cheese lovers, a mix of Gruyere with a bit of sharp white cheddar could offer another layer of complexity.
Conclusion: Your Next Brunch Masterpiece Awaits!
The Lobster, Asparagus & Gruyere Quiche is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create a moment of culinary indulgence. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting friends, or simply treating yourself to a luxurious weekend brunch, this quiche delivers on all fronts – flavor, elegance, and ease. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe; you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to bring such a decadent dish to your table. Your taste buds, and your guests, will thank you!