National Quiche Lorraine Day!!
May 20th is not only a time to make some Quiche Lorraine at home, but it’s also a time to listen to a silly song by the B-52s (whose song isn’t about the cheese and bacon pie, rather a green poodle).
While Quiche Lorraine is believed to have originated in the Lorraine region of France, hence the name, historical historical records indicate that quiche actually originated in Germany in the middle ages in the medieval kingdom of Lothringen, which the French later occupied and renamed Lorraine. The word ‘quiche’ is from the German ‘Kuchen’, meaning cake.
The original Quiche Lorraine
The cheese was added to the recipe at a much later time. Today, you’re more likely to find it made with bacon cubes rather than fat, but it’s just as tasty. Usually, recipes call for Gruyère or Comté cheese, but you can use all sorts if you wish.
Traditionally, a Lorraine doesn’t include onions – if you do pop onions in your Quiche Lorraine, you’re making a Quiche Alsacienne (the Alsace is to the north of the Lorraine).
The world’s largest quiche was made by chef Alain Marcotullio in 1997. It baked for over 18 hours and included 321 gallons of milk, 2000 eggs, 150 pounds of bacon, 130 pounds of butter and more than 140 pounds of flour!
Quiche became popular in England sometime after the Second World War, and then in the U.S. during the 1950’s. Because of its primarily vegetarian ingredients, it was considered a somehow ‘unmanly’ dish, – “real men don’t eat quiche.” Today, one can find many varieties of quiche, from the original quiche Lorraine, to broccoli, mushrooms, ham, and/or seafood (primarily shellfish). Quiche can be served as an entrée, for lunch, breakfast, or an evening snack.
HOW TO OBSERVE Buy some Gruyère or Comté from us and hone your culinary skills with this easy Quiche Lorraine recipe.