Eggplant, Mushroom and Cheese Quiche

eggplant, mushroom cheese quiche

I'm rather off and on again when it comes to eating eggs, but when an egg dish is done well it can be a real treat. So when I saw an egg recipe in Yotam Ottolenghi's latest cookbook, Plenty More, I knew it was time to interrupt my latest break from eggs … especially when eggplants are involved.

eggplant tomato quiche

But it's not just the eggplants or the mushrooms — which I added to the recipe — or the sheep's milk feta cheese, baby plum tomatoes or jalapeños that I also added for a little kick that make this quiche such an attractive and tasty dish. It would be delicious in any case, but what really elevates the flavor is brushing the top of the quiche with za'atar, a tangy, zesty and salty blend of herbs and toasted sesame seeds that's easy to make at home. Do make a fresh batch of this blend. It will not only make your quiche a fabulous lunch or light dinner but you'll have plenty left over to dip bread and olive oil into for a fantastic treat. It keeps well in the fridge in a well sealed jar for a good while, if it doesn't get eaten up right away.

eggplant mushroom quiche

Eggplant, Mushroom and Cheese QuicheEggplant, Mushroom and Cheese Quiche
Recipe by
Adapted from Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London's Ottolenghi
Published on January 8, 2015

Attractive egg and feta cheese quiche baked with eggplants, mushrooms and tomatoes brushed with a tangy, zesty and salty blend of herbs and toasted sesame seeds

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Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil + more for brushing and frying
  • 2 medium eggplants, sliced crosswise into 3/4 inch rounds
  • 6 to 8 button mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
  • 5 oz (150 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 5 oz (150 g) cream cheese
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup baby plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup fresh oregano, roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons za'atar
  • sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 400°. Line the bottom and sides of a 8 × 8 inch baking pan with foil. Brush with some olive oil.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put the eggplant slices on it. Brush the eggplant with a 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Roast for 40 minutes or until the eggplant is soft and golden. Set aside.

  • Turn the oven temperature down to 325°.

  • While the eggplant is roasting, fry the mushrooms in a few teaspoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir often, adding the jalapeños after a few minutes. Sauté until the mushrooms start to brown and release some of their juices. Set aside.

  • In a medium bowl, beat together the cheeses, eggs, heavy cream and some black pepper until smooth.

  • To finish, arrange the eggplant slices over the bottom of foil lined pan. There should be some overlap. Layer with mushrooms and jalapeños and then the tomatoes. Sprinkle with half of the oregano.

  • Pour the cheese and egg mixture over the vegetables and top with the remaining oregano. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until set and the top is golden. Remove from heat and transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

  • When ready to serve, mix za'atar with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and brush over the top of the cake. Remove from the pan and cut into squares.

  • Note: I also included some roasted red onion as I had prepared some for another dish I was serving. If using, add to the pan with the mushrooms and jalapeños.

Makes 4 servings

eggplant mushroom cheesy quiche

Other cheesy delights to enjoy from my kitchen:
Cheese Potato Puff with Dried Mushrooms
Cheddar and Mushroom Shirred Eggs
Cherry Ricotta Crêpes
Greek Feta & Olive Frittata

6 comments:

Kalyn Denny said...

I love that cookbook. And I agree, the idea of using Za'atar on an egg dish like this is brilliant.

Joanne said...

The addition of za'atar is definitely what makes this! Awesome recipe!

Unknown said...

I love za'atar, but I have never tried it on eggs. This looks delish!

Kalyn Denny said...

Hi there and good morning! Just letting you know that I featured this recipe in my Deliciously Healthy Low-Carb Recipes round-up from last month. I hope a lot of my readers will come over here and check it out, great recipe!

Lisa Turner said...

Good morning Kalyn. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thankyou for this recipe. My husband had an eggplant quiche in a cafe recently and asked me to make one for him. I found yours and have made it three weeks in a row. He loves it and says its better than a cafe. I made the zatar as well.