This Crustless Vegetable Quiche is easy to make and only 120 calories a slice! This is an easy breakfast quiche recipe that is perfect to make for any brunch or even for a weekday breakfast.
The left overs are great! This vegetarian no crust quiche recipe is great if you are looking eat lighter.
This week I’ve had a few friends casually talk to me about dealing with grief . . . or rather dealing with people who are dealing with grief. I’m always careful about what I say, because even though I have been through it and then through it some more, I don’t want to say the wrong things. But I feel like it would be almost negligent for me to say nothing.
The question beneath their casual talk is this: What do you do for someone who lost someone or is currently in the process of losing someone? The people who have talked to me recently are talking about THE BIG losses. Children. Spouses. The kinds of loses that are soul crushing. And I know that sounds dramatic, but when you are in it, that is exactly how it feels. Like your soul is crushed and you will never quite be the same.
And you won’t.
I tend to believe that the universe talks to you. Sends people your way who you need to learn something from. And maybe I’m taking it a step too far, but I feel like if I can possibly help one person by writing about this (even if it is paired with a crustless vegetable quiche recipe . . . . maybe especially if it is paired with a crustless vegetable quiche recipe) than I should write.
So this is my advice.
Bear witness.
And this isn’t actually my advice. This is the advice from my old therapist who got me through the death of my mom, through Elliot’s death, and the intensely difficult pregnancies that followed. She said that there is nothing you can actually do to help someone who is grieving. There are no cards that will make them feel better. No plants. No meals. Those things are wonderful, don’t get me wrong. But they won’t actually fix anything.
The greatest gift you can do for someone who is grieving is: Bear witness.
I think that can mean so many things. It can look like so many different things. But I think what it boils down to is allowing the person who is grieving to feel however they are going to feel in whatever moment they are going to feel it for as long as they are going to feel it while letting them know you love them and passing no judgement.
I am going to be brutally honest.
After Elliot died, there were people who did this beautifully. There were people who let us be exactly where we were at. Over and over and over. And there were people, some of the very people we thought would be there for us, who did the exact opposite. And that sucked.
You can’t make it better. Please don’t try. Bear witness.
And remember that the thickest part of the grief comes later. It comes six, nine months down the road. Maybe even years later for some people. It doesn’t mean they aren’t moving on. Grief is a debt that has to be paid (another great line from my great therapist) and people have to be allowed to pay it in their own time.
That’s it.
Woah. Super heavy for a brunch recipe, aye?
Thank you for forgiving me all this talk of grief, friends. It’s a huge piece of who I am and I don’t suspect this will be my last post like this.
Crustless Vegetable Quiche!
You guys, this quiche is so crazy good! And its made with loads of veggies, a little cheese, egg whites, a few eggs, and skim milk, so it’s only 120 calories a slice! I loooooove brunch recipes, but so many of them are totally loaded with calories. I love this lighter option that is still packed with flavor. Give me a slice of this and a cup of coffee and I am a happy happy girl.
Other Light Breakfast Ideas
If you are looking for other light breakfast ideas, try this quinoa breakfast recipe. If you need another easy breakfast, make these cheese and sausage egg muffins or another great quiche make my crustless spinach quiche.
Crustless Vegetable Quiche
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 red pepper diced small
- 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1/2 a yellow onion diced small
- 4 large eggs
- 4 egg whites
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp oregano
- 1/2 tbsp basil
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a nine inch quiche dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Then add the garlic, peppers, broccoli, and onion. Cooking, stirring intermittently over medium heat until the vegetables are soft, about eight minutes.
- While the vegetables are cooking, whisk together the eggs and egg whites. Then whisk in the milk, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Stir in the mozzarella and feta cheese.
- Once the vegetables are cooked, pour them into the quiche dish. Pour the egg mixture over it, gently smoothing it out so it is all even. Put in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the edge of the quiche starts to pull away from the side. Let set for 10 minutes and then serve and enjoy!
Donna says
I came here looking for a quiche recipe and got more than I expected. Thank you so much for your words concerning grief, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that I landed on your site. I do believe that people are sent our way for purposes, and this feels like you wrote it for me to see. Thank you. And I do intend on trying your recipe.
Donna, if you feel that my words were meant for you then that means I should offer my condolences. I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m so glad that you found my words helpful. Sending you much love, Lisa.
Di says
Talk about the universe talking to you! My beloved mum-in-law, who lived with us, passed away 2 days ago and my husband, who is an absolute softie, is grieving deeply. I decided that I’d make him some comfort food and clicked on your delicious looking recipe. I will make it this evening, it sounds divine. Thanks for posting this very sound advice, I shall share it widely.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. And please extend my condolences to your husband. I am so happy you found this as well, it gives me chills.
Kathy says
Lisa,
I also was meant to click on your recipe today. Thank you so much for your thoughtful understanding words about grief.
I lost my husband of 44 years over 5 years ago & as you said it never leaves you. Time “heals” nothing, as it passes it just allows you to not hurt so bad & for you to start healing & not feeling the profound sadness as in the beginning.
I fortunately have great friends & family for support but in the end I discovered that only I can make myself feel happiness again.
I’m so sorry for your loss. And your last sentence is so spot on – totally my experience too.
Cheryl says
Can this recipe be doubled and made in a 9×13 pan?
Yes, though I haven’t tried that, so I’m not sure what the bake time would be.
stacy weiss says
can you use this recipe in a crust?
Yes! I would suggest following the instructions for the crust and bake time in my Quiche Lorraine.
Anne-Louise says
I feel a connection with you, that you are dealing with grief, just like I am.
We lost our grand daughter and our eldest daughter’s child, by suicide at the age of 16.
Not a day goes by that she is not in our thoughts, and the second anniversary of her death is coming up on Dec 1st 2023.
I will be making some of your recipes very soon,
Love and Hugs,
Sending your family lots of love on December 1st and every other day of the year.
Patty says
Can you make this the say before?
Thanks!
Yes!
Patrice says
Thank you for your beautiful words on grief. I didn’t expect this when looking for a vegetarian crustless quiche recipe but both your recipe and lovely words were just what I needed. I love the idea that the most important thing you can do for someone who is in the midst of grief is to bear witness. So beautiful and wise. Thank you.
You are so welcome. Sending you lots of love this holiday season.
Anna Braden says
On the crustless veggie. Quiche you could sprinkle panko over oiled pie plate. Just a tablespoon or two. It adds a nice no-crust finish.
Robert Freeman says
gonna cook and try this today