
Quiche with Basa Marinières
Here is a delicious recipe for Basa Marinières Quiche, bringing together tender, white fish cooked in a classic French white wine and shallot broth, baked inside a rich, creamy egg custard and a golden pastry crust.
Ingredients
For the Crust & Filling Base:
- 1 sheet ready-rolled shortcrust pastry (or homemade)
- 240g Basa fillets, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 shallots, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 100ml dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 100g fresh baby spinach or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry)
For the Cream Custard:
- 3 large eggs
- 150ml double cream (or heavy cream)
- 100ml whole milk
- 75g Gruyère or Mature Cheddar, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Blind Bake the Pastry Crust
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan / Gas Mark 5).
- Line a 23cm (9-inch) tart or quiche tin with the shortcrust pastry. Gently press into the edges and trim any excess.
- Prick the bottom with a fork, line with baking paper, and fill with baking beans or uncooked rice.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the paper and beans and bake for another 5 minutes until light golden. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Basa Marinières
- Heat olive oil/butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced shallots and minced garlic; cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Pour in the dry white wine and bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the basa fish chunks to the pan, cover, and gently poach for 3–4 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove the fish gently with a slotted spoon and set aside. Turn up the heat for 1 minute to reduce any remaining liquid, then stir in the spinach until wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Assemble & Bake
- Reduce oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan / Gas Mark 4).
- Whisk together the eggs, double cream, whole milk, chopped parsley, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a jug.
- Scatter the wilted spinach and shallot mix evenly over the bottom of the baked pastry shell.
- Layer the poached basa chunks over the top, then sprinkle half of the grated cheese.
- Carefully pour the egg custard mixture over the filling, then top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake in the middle rack for 30–35 minutes until the custard is set, slightly puffed, and golden-brown on top.
Serving Suggestions
- Resting: Allow the quiche to cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing to allow the custard to set firmly.
- Pairings: Serve warm or at room temperature with a crisp green side salad tossed in a lemon-dill vinaigrette.
