Crustless Quiche Interrupted

Ever since I returned from Flagler Beach, I’ve meant to bake a crustless spinach quiche.  I loved the dish so much that I asked Carol Fisher, owner of the Beach House Beanery and Café, to give me the recipe. But, as things go, the holidays and my move interfered.  It was when I began reviewing my Instagram account that I came across the quiche photo. The food photo garnered many likes, so I figured blog readers might enjoy it.

My Instagram photo of Carol's Quiche
My Instagram photo of Carol’s Quiche

Plus, Carol promised, “It’s easy. Just throw everything together and pour into a pie pan.”

Even better, as I’m temporarily living on a farm, I have access to farm fresh eggs.  I would make the recipe using the beauties direct from the hen house. They come looking like they were dyed for Easter and the yokes have a warm golden glow.

Farm Fresh Eggs
Farm Fresh Eggs
The dark golden yolks.
The dark golden yolks.

On a recent morning, I combined all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, poured them into the pan and placed it in a 325-degree oven to bake.

Pre-baked Quiche. I added a little extra cheese on the top. 
Pre-baked Quiche. I added a little extra cheese on the top. 

About half way through, just as the eggs were beginning to puff up, I received notice that one of the mares on the farm was about to foal!! A foaling was an event I’d been waiting for, and could hardly believe it was happening. Horses are rarely born during the day, almost always at night.

I pulled that quiche out of the oven, and lickety split ran into the field with my camera.  How fortuitous for me; I would not have had my camera in the kitchen had I not been taking pics for this blog post.

The moment of birth
The moment of birth

I stared and witnessed the miracle of life unfolding in front of my eyes.  No words can describe the wonder I saw and felt. I was awestruck and overwhelmed (and totally in love with this baby.)  How such a large animal(estimated weight about 100 pounds) lived within that mare’s belly just minutes ago is beyond understanding. I was extremely lucky and grateful to see this birth.

Mare sees her foal for the first time,
Mare sees her foal for the first time.
The mare meets her colt.
The mare meets her colt.

I could not pull myself away from the field, so stayed and photographed the mother and colt for a long time.  The colt’s adorable antics when trying to stand on his wobbly legs made me laugh, and I wanted to run over and help the little fella.

As the minutes passed, the newborn grew stronger and more sure of himself.  I continued to marvel at this unexpected but glorious morning event.

Trying to stand.
Trying to stand.
These legs are not cooperating!
These legs are not cooperating!

To better contain the pair, the mother and foal were walked into the barn, and I only then remembered the quiche.  I returned to the kitchen and decided to put it back in the oven. Why not?  However, the results were less than stellar, the quiche was rather runny in the middle, but the edges were firm and tasted great.

Mare and her newborn colt.
Mare and her newborn colt.
Proudly standing together.
Proudly standing together.

I highly recommend this easy breakfast, brunch, or luncheon dish, but don’t let make it on a day when you might be interrupted by witnessing your first foaling.

The Interrupted Quiche
The Interrupted Quiche

Crustless Spinach Quiche Recipe

From Carol Fisher and The Beach House Beanery in Flagler Beach, Florida.

Ingredients

  • 8 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups cream
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cups fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into a greased glass pie pan.
  2. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes.