Foodiva's Kitchen: 5-Star Makeover - Spicy Quiche with Easy Oats Crust and Bilimbi

Saturday, October 29, 2011

5-Star Makeover - Spicy Quiche with Easy Oats Crust and Bilimbi

Its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on. If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. You can change the way people live their lives. That's the only lasting thing you can create.
~ Chuck Palahniuk

I'm very disorganized this month that I'm late for the 5-Star Makeover Challenge hosted by Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and Lazaro, of Lazaro Cooks!. Our challenge was to take tailgate party food and turn it deliciously gourmet.


The only problem was, I had never tailgated before so I had no idea what people ate at these sorts of parties. A few turns at Google later, I gathered that tailgating involved a lot of grilling (preferably meat) and consuming plenty of ahem, beverages. Basically it's a social event that often takes place at stadium or arena parking lots before major team sports matches or even concerts. Something that almost never happens in Asia, I imagine. Or maybe I was never invited to one :-(.


Don't get me wrong. We do barbeques at home very well -  for new years, birthdays, to celebrate achievements and so on. So for this tailgate party, I'm thinking of the same food that we would prepare and eat for our own version of tailgating a.k.a. barbeque parties here, and what better to make than quiche? Admittedly, it's hard to think of quiche and gourmet in the same frame of mind but I made this an appetizer-styled quiche so I'm hoping that makes it more gourmet-ish.   


By the time I finished assembling this dish, it looked more appropriate for a bridal shower than for a tailgating party. The flower-like bilimbi I used as a topping probably had a lot to do with it, but those actually had a specific purpose. You see, while the quiche looked quite delicate on the outside, I really packed it with spices on the inside. I used my favorite oats crust infused with crushed Nigella seeds, cumin and coriander and at the base of the crust, I sneaked in a (small) dollop of my homemade hot sauce. A really hot sauce made out of Scotch Bonnets, Thai chillies and apple! You will feel the punchy heat - and all your pores opening - soon after the second bite, promise. What fun is a tailgating party if you can't sweat a little, right?

Oh, the extremely acidic bilimbi works to offset the heat, so they're not just there to look pretty!

Do head over here to view the round-up of this Makeover Challenge.


Spicy Quiche with Easy Oats Crust and Bilimbi
Makes: 6 muffin-sized quiches
Crust
1 teaspoon Nigella seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1teaspoon coriander seeds
1 cup organic rolled oats
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Filling
3-4 teaspoons extra hot sauce (I used this Scotch-Bonnet and Thai chilli one)
1 cup heavy cream
1 egg
1/3 cup grated Dutch-aged Gouda cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 bilimbis, sliced

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Dry roast Nigella, cumin and coriander seeds in a pan over medium heat until fragrant - about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and grind coarsely using a mortar and pestle or in a grinder.
2. Put ground spices in a bowl and add oats, flour, grapeseed oil, salt and pepper and mix until the oil is absorbed evenly into the oats. Add water and stir evenly until the mixture becomes sticky when you pinch a little between your fingertips.
3. Brush 6 muffin cups lightly with grapeseed oil. Scoop about two tablespoons of the spiced oats mixture into each muffin cup. With your fingertips, press the mixture into the base and sides of the cup. The edges won't be even, so don't worry about it. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. In the meantime, make the filling. Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and stil until well combined.
4. Remove the oats crusts and pour in the filling mixture into each crust until very near the top (I used 1/3 cup). Bake at 180C/350F for 20 minutes or until filling just starts to set on top.
5. Remove the muffin cups from the oven and leave to cool for at least 10 minutes. Before turning out, run a knife around the crust to release any bits sticking to the cup. Tip the muffin tray onto another tray and transfer upright to a serving platter. If not served immediately, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

42 comments:

Biren @ Roti n Rice said...

What a unique combination of flavors! Those bilimbi looks so pretty on top of the quiche. I have been keeping my eyes open for this fruit but have yet to encounter it here in the States.

Lazaro Cooks said...

Thanks for getting the post in, it's been added to the round-up.

Great flavor combo at play here.

Anonymous said...

Very impressive!

Unknown said...

Hi Biren, these bilimbis come straight from my garden. Sometimes the tree produces so many fruits that I'm at a loss at what to do with them! There are only so many pickled bilimbi we can eat, so it's nice that they worked so well in this quiche :-). Hope you come across some over there, you just never know!

Unknown said...

Laz, thanks for adding me! It's unlike me to be so disorganized and tardy like this, but I guess I haven't been myself lately...so much chaos. I'm surprised I could string 2 sentences together for this post :-).

Unknown said...

Yummychunklet, many thanks sweetie!

Gerry @Foodness Gracious said...

Wheres my video?? Seriously though these look too darn cute and I could probably make a few dissapear rather quickly!
Have an awesome weekend..

Unknown said...

Gerry, this was a rushed jobbie so no time for a video! Besides, I only shoot the easy stuff...and these mini-quiche were just too finicky.

You and your girls have a frolicking weekend too!

Anonymous said...

Not sure we can get bilimbi here.Cut it looks a bit like a starfruit...

Unknown said...

Dzoli, bilimbi is closely related to starfruit or carambola, you're right!

Vicki Bensinger said...

I've never heard of Nigella seeds. What are they? Your mini quiche sound tasty and spicy. I remember seeing your post on the scotch Bonnet sauce. Its a real mouth burner which IMO is perfect for tailgating

Wok with Ray said...

Whoa - those quiche look beautiful and yummy-spicy. Balimbi or Kamias as we call it in the Philippines is one of those beautiful fruits that make me miss the old country, Maya.

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend!

~ ray ~

Linda Harding said...

I learnt so much from this post! Wow, those quiches are a work of art - and the flavour combinations sound simply delicious. Congratulations on such a beautiful result!

Gina said...

I thought the bilimbi was a word you made up, lol. I need to get to Asia more often, I can stay with you right? These do sound good and way more sophisticated than anything I've ever seen at a tail gate here in the states. Homemade hot sauce, I need to get to the farm stand, I've been slacking all week.
Enjoy the weekend.
-Gina-

Jenny (VintageSugarcube) said...

That is the most tantalizing quiche I've ever seen! You're stylish self would be a hit at any US Tailgating soiree Maya. xoxo

Cher Rockwell said...

I always learn something new over here. We don't have too many (ok, any) bilimbi in upstate NY :-)
It may have something to do with the snow that is currently falling down outside.
Awesome job, as always!

Unknown said...

Vicki, Nigella seeds are also called blackseeds, and they taste of onion. They're normally used in curries and flatbreads like naans.

Unknown said...

Ray, I'm so sorry you miss bilimbi but I hope my posts will ease your homesickness for tropical fruits somewhat :-).

Unknown said...

Linda, many thanks. Hope to see you in next month's Makeover!

Unknown said...

Gina, bilimbi has a catchy ring to it, don't you think? Don't blame you for thinking this is a word I created! Yeah, go get that homemade hot sauce and turn it into a dessert, girl ;-). I know you can.

Unknown said...

Jenny, you have the biggest heart...that's all I can say <3. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Cher, LOL... As always, I really love your wit. Yes, I don't suppose any bilimbis would thrive in upstate NY right now (maybe in summer?).

createwithmom said...

this looks so good Maya with bilimbi deliciously done :)

Unknown said...

Akheela, after this, I feel like making bilimbi achar or curry! I never seem to use them enough in my cooking and the bilimbis just rot on the trees :-(.

Romwe Online said...

They look really simple and delicious,great food temptations,lol
loooooove
romwe streetfashion blog,pay a visit?kisses

Kate@whatkatebaked said...

Another super super post Foodiva- not least your gorgeous photos!

Unknown said...

Great dish! It really came out beautifully. This is my first time hearing of bilimbi--thanks for the introduction!

Reem | Simply Reem said...

Gorgeous!!!!!
Another terrific recipe...
These look so delicious...
Yummmmm...

Elin said...

Maya...spicy quiche sounds great ! what more with the bilimbi on it...Great combo and I shall try this spicy quiche one day. Have bookmarked this. Oats crust sounds healthy too. Thanks for sharing this with us :)

Have a nice day,
Elin

Jocie's Mom said...

Very cool! Now, we need to get you out to a tailgate party. I'll throw one in Cayman if you make this quiche :)

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Bilimbi is a new ingredient to me and you put nice flower on top of quiche which is very cute presentation! I like how you put seeds around the quiche too! Very creative as always Maya!

Priscilla - She's Cookin' said...

I'm not familiar with Bliimbi but it sure looks pretty topping your delicious spicy quiches. Perfect party food (tailgate or otherwise) and I love the oat crust.

Roxana GreenGirl said...

it's teh first time I gear about Bimbili. I immediately fell in love with its look. Looks so perfect on top of your quiche!

Adrian (Food Rehab) said...

Freakin tasty! Though, I also love your quotes at the start of the posts - this one was very touching indeed :) And very true

Lori Lynn said...

Those would be gobbled up mighty quickly at the Tailgate Party.
Like that they are spicy!
LL

Von said...

I have never even heard of a tailgating party before!! :O It sounds fun though ;) haha....and if the food was as good as this I would LOVE to go! The bilimbi is so pretty! I don't think I've ever seen such a vegetable before! The quiche looks really delicious too- I love the idea of the oat crust!

Emily Malloy said...

Deelish!

Tasty Trix said...

We are even because I am absurdly late getting to this post!! Sorry. My computer died. Anyway, everything you make - quiche included - ends up looking (and I am sure tasting) like a gourmet dish. I need to make this hot sauce, love how you use it here!!

Cakelaw said...

I like the oaty crust. Bilimbi are new to me.

the [sugar] apothecary said...

Maya, I don't think you could un-fancy yourself if you tried! Maybe not traditional tailgating fare, but damn, they look good! Those little bilimbis are adorable. Loving the secret spiciness of these... Homemade scotch bonnet hot sauce and toasty spices! They look so innocent :)

Anh said...

So, so good! I have bookmarked the recipe!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

What beautiful quiches...and your bilimbi garnishes are so cute!!! Hope you've had a nice weekend, my friend~

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