📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for a perfectly cooked quiche; don't skip this step!
2. If using a homemade crust, prepare your pie crust according to your recipe's instructions. If using store-bought, gently unroll it into your pie dish, pressing it firmly into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough.
3. Lightly prick the bottom of the crust with a fork all over. This prevents it from puffing up unevenly during baking. Trust me, it makes a difference!
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Make sure you really incorporate the spices!
5. Wash and chop your vegetables. For this recipe, I like using: 1 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, 1 red bell pepper, 1/2 red onion. I usually grill them in thick slices for maximum flavor, but you can adjust according to your preference.
6. Grill the veggies. Heat your grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill the veggies until they have nice grill marks and are tender-crisp. Don't overcook; you still want some bite to them! Aim for about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on your grill and the thickness of your slices.
7. Once the veggies are grilled, chop them into bite-sized pieces. I know, another chopping step. But this is key for even baking and distribution in the quiche.
8. If using bacon, cook it until crispy and crumble it. Set aside. This adds some nice smoky flavor, and who doesn't love crispy bacon?
9. Add the chopped, grilled vegetables to the egg mixture. Gently stir until they’re evenly distributed. I use a soft touch, don't want to break up the veggies too much!
10. If using bacon, gently fold in the crumbled bacon to the egg mixture.
11. Pour the egg and vegetable mixture into the prepared pie crust. It's okay if it fills up almost to the top; it should rise a little while baking.
12. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the top is golden brown. Start checking around the 35-minute mark; ovens vary!
13. Let the quiche cool slightly before slicing and serving. This prevents it from crumbling and allows the flavors to meld a bit. Mmm, delicious!