Coronation Quiche: A Regal Recipe for Your Next Soiree
Food is at the heart of celebrating big moments for communities and countries. Amongst these dishes currently making headlines is a Coronation Quiche from the deep history of royal celebrations. Born at Buckingham Palace, this quiche consists of spinach, broad beans, and tarragon, enough to offer a meal that is both impeccable and not intimidating. Here is a deep dive into what went into the making of this iconic dish and what makes it special.
The Royal Connection
Coronation Quiche was submitted for the Coronation Big Lunch, which allows individuals around the country to join in with festivities promoted through neighborly spirit at the coronation of King Charles III. Her Majesty The Queen Consort rather reluctantly gives her support to this occasion, but everybody is encouraged to join together with the best food, the best friends, and the most fun. The quiche symbolizes both tradition and modernity, in terms of fresh and wholesome products, spelling out the spirit of the moment, and their ingredients make it so.
What Makes Coronation Quiche Special
The Coronation Quiche is very special and becomes this way out of the good balance found in the quiche. It represents British culinary tradition quite well. Its crispy pastry case is filled with creamy spinach, broad beans, and fresh tarragon, giving an interesting combination of textures and tastes delightfully. It’s so versatile that one can have it hot or cold, and hence it can be enjoyed at any gathering.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Coronation Quiche:
For the Pastry:
250g plain flour
50g cold butter, diced
50g lard, or use butter for a vegetarian option
4 tbsp milk, plus a splash for the dough
For the Filling:
125ml milk
175ml double cream
2 medium eggs
1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
100g cheddar, grated
180g cooked spinach, squeezed dry and chopped
60g cooked broad beans, or soya beans, double-pod if you prefer
How to Make Coronation Quiche
Put the flour in a mound on the counter and make a well in the centre.
Sift the flour into a large bowl and add a pinch of salt. Cut in the diced butter and lard or additional butter, and with your fingertips, rub together until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Gradually mix in the milk with a knife to form a soft dough. Knead lightly with your hands to form a smooth, dry-patch-free dough. Wrap in plastic film and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
Roll Out and Blind Bake the Pastry:
Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan/gas 5). Roll out the dough on a floured surface to just a little larger than your tart tin, about 20cm in diameter. Carefully lift the pastry into the tin, pressing it into the edges.
Chill the lined pastry in the fridge for a further 30 minutes. Line with greaseproof paper and baking beans or uncooked rice. Bake blind for 20-25 minutes until golden and dry. Remove the paper and beans and bake for a further 5 minutes to crisp up the base. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (140°C fan/gas 3).
Prepare the Filling:
Whisk together the milk, cream, eggs, and tarragon in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the blind-baked pastry base, then top with an even layer of the chopped spinach and broad beans. Pour the egg mixture over the filling and sprinkle the remaining cheese.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the quiche is set and pale golden on top. Let it cool lightly before serving.
Personalizing Your Quiche
While traditional Coronation Quiche involves spinach and broad beans, you can always make it even more to your taste:
Gluten-Free: Substitute pastry for gluten-free pastry or use homemade pastry with gluten-free flour mixes.
Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free margarine and milk alternatives. Replace cheddar with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
Alternatives to Tarragon: If you think tarragon is not particularly to your taste, you can use basil, parsley, or dill.
Serve and Store
This coronation quiche is good hot, cold, or at room temperature, so it’s ideal for any situation. Serve with a green salad and boiled new potatoes for a filling lunch or dinner. Store the quiche in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze well; defrost thoroughly before reheating as per the original instructions.
Conclusionjuvenilia
But the Coronation Quiche is more than a recipe itself; it represents the celebration of a community spirit. Done with the rich flavors and elegant presentation that are fitting for a quiche, it also served as a suitable tribute to a Royal Occasion, be it for a garden party, communally served luncheon, or just a meal taken in with family.
For a recipe, not to mention the story behind it and its royal tradition, consider Buckingham Palace’s official recipe, courtesy of Mark Flanagan and Lucy Wilson.
References:
Buckingham Palace. “Coronation Quiche Recipe.” Accessed from Buckingham Palace.
Flanagan, Mark & Wilson, Lucy. “Coronation Quiche: A Recipe for Celebration.” Buckingham Palace, 2024.
Enjoy this quiche, and let it bring that special touch of royal sophistication to your table!