Reduced Fat Crustless Mushroom Quiche

Crustless Mushroom Quiche

I love quiche, but between the eggs and cheese and the pie crust it is a nightmare for anyone watching their calories. Making a crustless quiche is one way to enjoy a somewhat more naughty meal without going completely overboard. Using only egg whites, instead of whole eggs, helps a little bit more.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup milk
4 egg whites, beaten
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, swiss, etc)

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme

Directions:

I like to bake this in a non-stick round cake pan.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms in oil until onions are translucent, mushrooms are tender, and you have no liquid left in pan.

Spread onion-mushroom mixture on bottom of cake pan. If not non-stick, please be sure to butter it.

Using a stick-blender or whisk, incorporate milk into ricotta cheese until an even consistency. Then mix in eggs.

Fold in shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and thyme.

Pour this batter over mushroom-onion mixture and bake for about an hour, checking after the first 45 minutes until middle is completely set.

Let stand at least 10 minutes.

Serving:

Can be served hot or at room temperature.

Makes a lovely breakfast or light lunch served with fresh fruit and some whole wheat toast.

Equally delicious at dinner time with tossed salad, or even grilled vegetables, and a loaf of crusty bread.

Variations:

you can use reduced fat versions of the milk, ricotta, and cheese to make this even lighter
no cholesterol worries? use 2 whole eggs in place of egg whites
in place of onions, chop a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach
add a few sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or rehydrated)
in place of mushrooms, use 2 cups of thinly sliced zucchini
you can add more garlic – you know you want to

Adapted from:

American Wholefoods Cuisine

You might also enjoy:

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food

Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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2 comments

Comment by suburbangrandama
Twitter: http://suburbangrandma.com/culture/chocolate-oatmeal-no-bake-cookies-recipe/
on February 18, 2011 at 9:11 pm

This recipe sounds really yummy and healthful. I will definitely try it out, since I also love quiche, but can do without the pie crust. Quiche is also quite expensive to buy ready made.
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Comment by Jia on February 18, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Quiche is a favorite food, but a traditional pie crust adds so much fat and calories (plus the expense unless you make it from scratch). This is a great way to enjoy the flavor with a little less guilt. Please stop by and let us know if you enjoyed it when you make it.