Italian Sausage & Spinach Quiche
A savory quiche baked with an almond flour crust, Italian sausage, spinach, and cheese.
📝 Editor's Notes
Greek orzo salad is a Mediterranean-style salad harmoniously blending fresh vegetables, orzo pasta, and savory feta cheese.
Its sweet and tangy dressing makes it appealing.
It's a simple recipe that only requires chopping and mixing ingredients, making it easy for beginner cooks.
It's great as a light and healthy meal, or as an impressive side dish for guests on special occasions.
It's especially enjoyable chilled on hot summer days.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
The key ingredients that determine the taste of this salad are fresh vegetables, orzo pasta, and feta cheese.
Choose firm and brightly colored cucumbers and bell peppers, and plump cherry tomatoes.
Use spinach with fresh, unwilted leaves to ensure the salad's freshness.
Orzo pasta, unlike regular pasta, is shaped like rice grains and offers a unique texture; using a high-quality product will give you a chewier taste.
For feta cheese, using authentic Greek feta will allow you to properly experience its distinctive salty and savory flavor.
🔄 Substitution Guide
If orzo pasta is difficult to find, you can substitute it with other small, rice-shaped pastas, couscous, or even quinoa.
Quinoa can also be a gluten-free option.
Instead of feta cheese, you can use goat cheese or ricotta salata for a different flavor.
If you don't have cheese or wish to avoid dairy, adding avocado is a great way to add a creamy texture and richness.
Anchovies are an important ingredient for umami, but if you have a seafood allergy or are vegetarian, you can substitute them with capers or a little soy sauce for a similar flavor.
Cannellini beans can also be replaced with chickpeas or green peas.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
There are two main secrets to making a delicious Greek orzo salad.
First, it's important to cook the orzo pasta 'al dente,' not too soft.
Boil it 1-2 minutes less than the time indicated on the package, then rinse with cold water, drain, and coat with olive oil to prevent sticking and maintain a chewy texture. This is key to this salad!
Second, finding the golden ratio for the dressing is crucial.
Use the ratio provided in the recipe as a base, but adjust the amounts of balsamic vinegar and lemon juice to your personal taste to add more tanginess.
Don't forget to add anchovies for extra umami.
👨🍳 Directions
In a bowl, combine 2 cups almond flour, 0.5 tsp xanthan gum, 1 tsp garlic powder, a pinch of salt, a pinch of oregano, and 3 tbsp melted butter to make the pie crust dough.
Add 1 egg and mix until the dough comes together.
Press the dough evenly into an oven-safe pan and prick holes with a fork.
Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 10 minutes.
Heat olive oil in a pan, then add Italian sausage and minced garlic. Break up the sausage and cook until browned.
Add well-drained blanched spinach and cook together to create the Italian sausage & spinach quiche topping.
In a bowl, whisk 6 eggs and 3 egg yolks, then add 1.5 cups heavy cream and mix well to prepare the quiche filling.
Spread Gruyère cheese over the baked crust first.
Evenly spread the prepared Italian sausage & spinach topping over the cheese.
Top the filling with more Gruyère cheese.
Pour the prepared egg filling mixture over the topping.
Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 45 minutes until the Italian Sausage & Spinach Quiche is done.
💡 Tips
Adding a little xanthan gum when making the quiche crust helps it hold together well and prevents it from crumbling too easily.
For a healthier option, you can use olive oil instead of melted butter, but butter is recommended for a crispier texture.
Any type of cheese can be used for the quiche filling, such as mozzarella or Mexican cheese, but Swiss cheeses like Emmental or Gruyère are recommended.
It's best to let the quiche cool slightly after baking before slicing to help it set properly.
📦 Storage & Reuse
The finished Greek orzo salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days while staying fresh.
However, vegetables may soften or get soggy from the dressing over time, so it's best to consume it as soon as possible.
If you prepare the dressing separately and add it just before serving, you can maintain the crispness of the vegetables longer.
Freezing leftover salad is not recommended as the texture of the vegetables will change significantly.
Leftover ingredients can also be used in sandwiches or wraps the next day.
🥢 Who This Is For
This salad is highly recommended for those looking for a light and healthy meal.
It's particularly great for those on a diet or who enjoy fresh vegetables.
It's also perfect for picnics or home parties.
You can complete a richer meal by serving it with grilled chicken breast, steak, or fish dishes.
It also makes an excellent brunch item when enjoyed simply with bread.
🔥 Nutrition Info
Greek orzo salad offers balanced nutrition with a mix of various vegetables, beans, and pasta.
Per serving, it's estimated to be around 350-450 kcal, providing approximately 40-50g of carbohydrates, 15-20g of protein, and 15-20g of fat.
Orzo pasta is a good source of carbohydrates, while cannellini beans are rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
Fresh vegetables supply various vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and beta-carotene, and olive oil provides healthy unsaturated fatty acids.
Feta cheese contributes calcium and protein, but its sodium content can be high, so it's good to be mindful of the portion size.
💬 Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!