Nutmeg Is The Secret Ingredient To Boost The Flavor Of Your Quiche
The comforts of quiche are numerous, from the silky rich interior to the crisp, buttery crust and the decadent cheesy flavor. There's little a cook needs to do to improve upon the formula. Still, there's one spicy seasoning trick that can help take this brunch classic to the next level. The surprise ingredient? Nutmeg.
First discovered on the Banda Islands of Indonesia in the early 1500s, nutmeg has long been considered a luxury spice prized for its warm, nutty flavor. Though we love it as a component of sweet spice blends, like pumpkin pie spice or quatre épices, it can play a part in properly seasoning a savory dish just as well. Nutmeg is a key ingredient of a rich béchamel, slicing through the dairy elements to impart a touch of sweet heat. In a similar way, nutmeg can add nuance to your eggy quiche, introducing a surprising and comforting aroma. It works as a complementary spice because it cuts through the richness of the quiche's ingredients without overpowering them. So how should you go about adding nutmeg to your go-to quiche recipe?
The flavorful benefits of freshly grated nutmeg
As far as picking a quiche recipe, the sky is the limit. In fact, many recipes for quiche Lorraine, with its earthy spinach and smoky bacon, call for a bit of freshly grated nutmeg anyway. But other quiche formulas would welcome it as well. Consider what nutmeg can bring to a Gruyère and black pepper-accented quiche or to one packed with sweet potato and kale.
Once you've decided which quiche recipe to work with, the questions become how much nutmeg to use and when to stir it in. First, you need to decide whether you're using freshly grated or pre-ground nutmeg. Both will work, but any freshly grated spice will have a stronger and more pungent flavor, therefore, when using fresh nutmeg you should use slightly less than you would with regular pre-ground nutmeg. A solid range for how much nutmeg to use per recipe is ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg and ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg. Add it in when you're whisking your salt, pepper, and other dry seasonings into the egg mixture. Once you try this spicy addition, you'll wonder what else nutmeg can add nutty nuance to.