Transform leftover vegetables into a delicious and wholesome meal with this easy compost quiche — the perfect way to reduce waste and make a tasty, budget-friendly lunch or dinner.
There's been a lot of talk about compost cookies lately. If you haven't heard of them, they seem to be a sweet biscuit with lots of random items like corn chips, pretzels and chocolate chunks thrown in.
They sound like a rather delicious way to use up the dregs of packets of things when there's not enough for a bowl full.
I don't often have leftover corn chips (because I eat them all!) but I do quite often have a few vegetables in the crisper in need of being consumed before they go to waste or before my fruit and vege mixed boxed arrives for the week.
On this particular occasion I had a lot of broccoli, a few shallots, a zucchini and some cherry tomatoes as well as quite a cheese supply. I brainstormed for a while on what to do with them then had the idea of making my own twist on the compost cookie - compost quiche.
I guess it's 'compost' because it's saving all the veges from the compost heap. As it was Monday and I was trying to keep up with the September photo-a-day challenge, which had 'meatless' as the theme, oh and because I had none, I didn't add any meat.
If I had it on hand I'd probably throw in some bacon, ham or prosciutto to bulk it up a bit but the vegetarian version is just as tasty.
All you have to do is grate or finely chop up all the veges you want to use, squeeze them out to get rid of any excess liquid then throw them into the base mixture along with a cup full of cheese.
I used a mixture of everything I had in the fridge which included two types of cheddar, a bit of pizza mix and some feta. Come to think of it I really should have added a few herbs from the garden.
Served with a simple salad of rocket, roasted sweet potato and feta (yes I ate the salad too!) this was the perfect light dinner and made great leftovers for lunch. It also freezes well.
I cut it into portions then vacuum seal it for ready-made lunches when I'm in a hurry. Enjoy!
What about you? What's your best way to use up nearly-gone veges?
Recipe
Compost quiche
Ingredients
- 5 free-range eggs
- 1 cup self raising flour gluten-free if you like
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 400 g grated or finally chopped veges
- 1 brown onion diced
- 1 generous cup mixed cheese - grated & crumbled
- 10 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C fan-forced and grease a round quiche dish with a little oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, flour and oil together until smooth.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix them in.
- Pour the mixture into the quiche dish, arrange the tomatoes on top and bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden on top.
- The giant bubble will sink when it starts to cool.
- Serve warm straight from the dish.
The Life of Clare says
You ate the salad!!! It looks delicious. I make a similar slice which has always had zucchini but recently I've been branching out and adding our compost worthy vegetables too!
Claire says
I know crazy right?! Such a good way to use the veges.
Nic@diningwithastud says
I love quiches :) I tend do do compost fritatas for leftovers but this is a great change :)
Claire says
Love the thought of a compost frittata too. I guess they're pretty similar.
Glamorous Glutton says
This is a great idea, I haven't come up with anything as inventive as this for using up fridge left overs. GG
Claire says
Thanks GG!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I once made a Spanish potato tortilla with potato chips! It's the same sort of idea really and it was a recipe from Miguel Maestre :)
Claire says
I like the sound of that!
Hotly Spiced says
Lorraine baked compost cookies and gave me a few and they were really, really good. I like have you've taken the compost idea to another level. This is a wonderful way to use up what's just waiting to be used in the fridge xx
Claire says
I'm going to have to try the compost cookies too. Sounds like an interesting combo!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Ha! Love the name, love the recipe :) Great way to use up the fridge bits and pieces :)
Claire says
Thanks Lisa!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I always call it clean out the fridge frittata because I can't be bothered making crust. :) Yours sounds wonderful.
Claire says
Love your name for it Maureen!
Jess says
This is a great idea! I always need a list of recipes I can use with any old veg in our fridge or from my CSA. LOVE the name!
Claire says
Yep that's how it was born Jess! They do challenge you those boxes don't they?
The Café Sucre Farine says
You're so clever Claire, but I do have to admit, when I first saw the title of the post, I thought that this home owning business had gotten the better of my friend Claire. She's started a compost bin and now she's using the compost in here recipes ............... :)
Claire says
Hahaha I wouldn't put anything past me Chris!
celia says
What a pretty plate of food! :) We make a zucchini slice very similar to this - agree that it's a great way to use up whatever is in the fridge! :) x
Claire says
It's great isn't it? Even better since I discovered how well it freezes.