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Quiche Sardou

This elegant Quiche Sardou is a sophisticated vegetarian tart inspired by the classic Creole flavours of Eggs Sardou. It features a rich, buttery shortcrust pastry filled with a silky savoury custard, earthy spinach, and tender artichoke hearts. The addition of slowly caramelised onions provides a subtle sweetness that balances the saltiness of the vegetables, making it a standout centrepiece for any weekend table.

Ideal for a leisurely brunch, a light lunch, or even a cold picnic slice, this versatile dish is packed with iron-rich greens and wholesome ingredients. You can prepare the pastry case and the vegetable filling a day in advance to save time on the day of serving. Simply pair it with a crisp green salad and a sharp vinaigrette for a perfectly balanced vegetarian meal.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Quiche Sardou

  • 110g (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes

  • 1/8 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 160g plain flour, plus more for surface

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 140g baby spinach (about 4 packed cups)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

  • 80g frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, coarsely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • 4 large eggs

  • 160ml double cream

  • 160ml whole milk

  • A 9-9 1/2-inch round fluted tart pan (1 inch deep) with removable bottom

  • pie weights or raw rice

Pulse butter, salt, and 160g flour in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse meal with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Add 60ml ice water; pulse 1–2 times just until moistened. Turn out dough and gather into a ball, kneading once or twice. Flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Position rack in middle of oven and preheat oven to 191°C. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to an 11" round. Press into bottom and up sides of tart pan; trim excess. Prick bottom of shell all over with a fork and freeze 10 minutes.

Line shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights. Bake until pastry is nearly dry, about 30 minutes.

Beat egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl just to combine. Remove parchment and pie weights and brush bottom and sides of shell lightly with egg yolk mixture. Return to oven and continue baking until lightly golden, about 25 minutes more. Let cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 177°C.

Cook spinach and 2 tablespoons water in a large skillet, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer spinach to a colander; reserve skillet. Drain spinach, pressing out excess liquid, then coarsely chop.

Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add artichokes and cook, stirring, until warmed through, about 5 minutes more. Stir in chopped spinach and season with salt and pepper. Spread vegetable mixture into crust.

Whisk eggs, cream, and milk in a medium bowl and pour over vegetable mixture. Bake quiche until set and lightly golden, 30–35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Crust can be baked 1 day ahead; let cool and store tightly wrapped at room temperature. Filling can be prepared 1 day ahead; keep chilled. Return to room temperature before filling crust.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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