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Vegetarian, European

Västerbottenpaj with green salad

Västerbottenpaj is a Swedish cheese quiche, here made with aged Comté, served with a green salad. It serves 4, takes 1 hour, and is rated easy, at about €2.50 per person. Success comes down to using a well aged cheese and baking just until the center barely wobbles.

Tonight I'm making you the Swedish quiche for special occasions, Västerbottenpaj, packed with sharp cheese, served with a green salad.

Västerbottenpaj with green salad
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.50
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Västerbottenpaj is the quiche Sweden saves for special occasions, the one served at Christmas or a big birthday. Its character comes from a hard, well aged cheese with a bold bite that flavors the whole filling. Here, an 18 month aged Comté takes that role, melting smoothly while holding its own against the cream and eggs.

This is a quiche that works for kids and adults alike, mellow thanks to the softened onion and nutmeg, yet with that little edge from the aged cheese that sets it apart from an everyday quiche. Make it on a quiet weeknight, or bring it out for a Sunday meal with guests, it holds up well either way.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Pie dough 1
  • Comté, aged 18 months 200 g
  • Heavy cream 20 cl
  • Eggs 3
  • Butter 20 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Green salad 1

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Roll out the dough in a pan, prick it, and blind bake it. 12 min

    Line it with parchment paper and dried beans so it doesn't puff up.

  2. Thinly slice the onion and soften it in the butter without browning it. 8 min

    It should turn translucent, with no color, to stay mild.

  3. Beat the eggs with the cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, then stir in the grated Comté.

    Grate the cheese finely, it melts better into the mixture.

  4. Spread the onion over the crust and pour in the egg mixture.

    Pour slowly so you don't shift the onion.

  5. Bake at 180°C until the quiche is set and golden. 30 min

    The center should wobble slightly, it keeps setting as it cools.

  6. Dress the salad with the oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, and serve with the warm quiche.

    Let the quiche rest ten minutes, the cheese settles.

Our tips to get it right

  • Let the pie dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it out, it will tear less as you line the pan.
  • Drain the softened onion well before spreading it over the crust, extra butter can make the bottom soggy.
  • If you don't have dried beans for blind baking, raw rice works just as well.

The variations

  • Swap the Comté for aged Gruyère or sharp cheddar if you want a slightly milder flavor.
  • Stir in some crisped bacon bits with the onion for a heartier, less strictly vegetarian version.
  • For kids, cut the nutmeg in half and serve the quiche with cucumber sticks instead of the vinaigrette salad.

What to serve it with

  • A sharp green salad
  • A glass of cold cider
  • Steamed potatoes on the side

Storage

The quiche keeps 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It freezes well, already baked and sliced into portions. Reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave so the crust stays crisp.

Questions about this dish

Can you make Västerbottenpaj ahead of time?

Yes, bake it the day before and reheat gently in the oven before serving. It keeps its flavor and texture well overnight.

What cheese can replace real Västerbottenost?

Comté aged 18 to 24 months comes closest in sharpness and texture. A good aged Gruyère or sharp cheddar also works.

Can this quiche be frozen?

Yes, slice the baked, cooled quiche into portions before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven to bring back a crisp crust.

How do you know the quiche is done?

The center should wobble slightly when you gently shake the pan. It keeps cooking as it cools, so it's better to pull it out a touch before it looks fully set.

How long does it take to make a Västerbottenpaj with a green salad?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Västerbottenpaj with a green salad?

About 520 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Västerbottenpaj with a green salad cost?

About €2.50 per serving, or €10.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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