A savory bake can anchor brunch without requiring a separate pastry project. A crustless quiche puts the attention on the egg filling and vegetables, while still giving the table something that can be portioned into wedges. It is a useful format when you want a shared centerpiece alongside bread, fruit or a simple salad.
Summer Miller’s recipe at The Mediterranean Dish pairs spinach and sliced mushrooms with an egg-and-milk custard and fontina. Onion, garlic, thyme and balsamic vinegar round out the ingredient list. The vegetables are cooked before they meet the custard, and the dish is baked in a nine-inch pie plate. The photo reflects that mushroom-and-spinach combination without a pastry shell.
For a host, the main planning decision is the rest of the menu. We would keep one side crisp and one side simple: a sharply dressed lettuce salad and sliced bread, for example. There is little need to add another rich baked dish beside it. Set out a proper serving spatula so the wedges can be lifted cleanly rather than scraped from the plate.
Use the creator’s full directions for quantities, doneness and resting time. The absence of pastry does not mean the egg filling can be rushed. Our spinach egg bites feature offers a smaller individual format if that better suits your table. This version is for the moment when a single shared dish makes more sense.
Recipe credit: Summer Miller, The Mediterranean Dish. Read the full original recipe, quantities and method.