Ham Hock and Asparagus Quiche Pots.

To be honest the word Quiche makes me think straight away of having a spring in my steps and Spring in my mind. Quiche is the announce for warmer days, Picnic time and Summertime.

Summertime, by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. 

By all means Quiches are very popular worldwide and considered as being a French dish but the use of savoury custard: Eggs and Milk or Cream within a pastry has been with the French, English, Italian and German since the Middle Age.

Quiche Mixture: Egg and either Milk or Cream with Seasoning.

The beautiful simplicity of a Quiche resides not only on this mixture added inside a pastry case but also on the ingredients added to it. The ingredients don't need to be many to make that dish very satisfying. Think of a Quiche Lorraine with Lardons or Bacon, simple yet effective to fill you up for Lunch served upon a bed of Salad.

Lardons are commonly used for a Quiche Lorraine.

This dish is versatile, therefore you can choose the ingredients you want to add within the Quiche mixture. But I will say this, two ingredients will do, three are ready to Tango in your palate and four is a crowd. My personal choice is three.

Hauser playing the Tango.

The reason is this: A Protein ingredient, A Veg one and an Aromatic Herb to make everything sing together. It is my own Equation for a Quiche however you must find yours: the one that suits the best to your own taste. The combinations are multiple and imagination is all you need to unlock the path to a Quiche that appeals to your taste buds.

To name a few of my trials:

Quiche 1: The Traditional Quiche Lorraine.

Quiche 2: Smoked Salmon and Asparagus with Dill.

Quiche 3: Ham Hock and Asparagus with Chives. 

Quiche 4: Tomatoes, Parmesan and Basil.

Quiche 5: Smoked Haddock, Broccoli and Parsley.

Quiche 6: Parma Ham, Sweet Pepper and Oregano.

Quiche 7: Chorizo, Tomatoes and Padron Chilli.

Quiche 8: Mackerel, Samphire and Chervil.

Quiche 9: Spicy Sausage, Squash and Paprika.

Quiche 10: Cod, Peas and Mint.

Combinations of ingredients are all up to you as I said, the 3Ts: Test, Taste and Trials. With a Quiche it is a do what you like, you are in the open air and just breathe. Make it your own. Make a Picnic out of it.

The Asparagus, Parmesan and Serrano Ham Quiche. Just play with your ingredients as well as the shape and the kind of pastry. Be bold and creative...