Egg-Free Garbanzo Flour Quiche
Oct 10, 2016
It’s quiche o’clock. Do you know where your hen’s been? Probably in a tiny cage crammed with other jailbirds on a factory farm because that’s where most eggs come from. But not this garbanzo flour quiche. It’s plant-based, cruelty-free, climate-friendly and has never done any time in the slammer. You might say it’s a feather in the cap of conscious eaters. And being a conscious eater means stepping up to the plate by answering your Mother’s call even when it’s inconvenient.
Eater: Hello?
Mother Earth: Hey, it’s your mother.
Eater: Mom, I’m kind of in the middle of something.
Mother Earth: So am I. I’m having a freaking hot flash! I’m going through the change like there’s no tomorrow! Would you cut down on your eggs, meat, and dairy already? Oh, and try this egg-free garbanzo flour quiche. I hear it’s yummo with a great mouthfeel. Nom nom nom nom…
Eater: Yes, Mother! Anything you want! Just stop with the foodie jargon!
Mother Earth: Deal. (Ha! Climate mission accomplished!)
Jailbirds that spend their whole lives in small battery cages crammed with other birds in huge industrial warehouses can’t flap their wings, move their limbs or ever see the light of day, and they’re pumped up with drugs to prevent disease from unsanitary conditions. Plus, animal waste from factory farming pollutes our water and air which causes climate change, not to mention food safety risks.
However, if you’re going to eat eggs, the best choice in terms of animal welfare, environmental impact, and human health is organic and pasture-raised. Not all organic eggs are truly pasture-raised with outdoor access, though. This short video from the Cornucopia Institute illustrates the different types of outdoor access available to organic chickens. The Organic Egg Scorecard rates the brands that are doing the best jobs, so you can make sure you’re buying and rewarding the right companies and farmers. Eggs from your local farmers market not only taste better and are nutritionally superior, you’re supporting small farmers and helping maintain the integrity of the organic label.
Eater: But mom, I can’t afford eggs from my farmers’ market! Just because you’re going through the change, I have to go broke?
Mother Earth: Hey, I didn’t give you any crap about puberty! Those braces cost me a fortune! Do you care about our health or not?
Eater: Well, yeah.
Mother Earth: Then if you’re gonna eat eggs, buy the good eggs and just eat less of them. Make this egg-free garbanzo flour quiche as a stand-in. I hear it’s yummo with a great mouthfeel. Nom nom nom nom…
Eater: Yes, Mother!
Mother Earth: Works every time.
While one large egg contains 6 grams of protein — garbanzo flour (also known as gram or besan flour in other parts of the world) is also high in protein. According to the package of Bob’s Red Mill garbanzo flour, 2 ounces contain 6 grams of protein (about one serving of quiche and even more if you have a larger slice). Not only does it have a higher protein count than other flours, it’s also high in fiber, provides low-glycemic energy and is a slower-burning carb. It’s a versatile gluten-free staple in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Burmese cultures, and in Italy and France, it’s used to make socca, a type of flatbread.
This Egg-Free Garbanzo Flour Quiche has a deeply satisfying flavor, thanks to sweet butternut squash and savory rosemary. Garbanzo flour gallantly holds its shape, from quiche to flatbread to pizza, and the neutral, yet slightly nutty taste lends itself to any combination of herbs and spices. When you can be all things to all eaters, that’s a winner in my book. Speaking of my book, this quiche was adapted from my humorous vegan, gluten-free eCookbook Trump at the Table.
Egg-Free Garbanzo Flour Quiche
Ingredients
- 2 cups garbanzo flour
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, heaping
- 1 butternut squash, small
- 1 shallot, small
- olive oil, for pan
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, water, olive oil, and rosemary. Let rest while you prepare the squash.
- Cut squash into chunks, rub with olive oil, and roast at 400 degrees F until carmelized, or roast two seeded squash halves face down on baking sheet, 30-40 minutes. Let cool, scoop out flesh, and dice. Turn oven up to 425 degrees F.
- In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, sauté the shallot in olive oil (make sure pan is generously coated). Spread squash pieces evenly in the skillet and cover them with the batter. Put on low to medium heat for 5-10 minutes until it firms up a bit. Put skillet in preheated 425 degree F oven.
- Cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until edges brown and start to pull away from pan. Put a knife in the center to make sure it comes out clean. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Adair Seldon is a humorist and clean-food advocate who has parlayed two of her greatest pastimes, overthinking and overeating, into the blog, Lentil Breakdown. She is also an award-winning advertising copywriter and creative who works with major brands at her company Copy Farm.
Adair is the author of Trump at the Table, a hilarious eCookbook that features healthy recipes based on Donald Trump quotes (16 tasteless remarks, 16 tasty recipes). You can follow Adair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Can you sub another flour for garbanzo flour? I have a few different flours, but not that one and really don’t want to spend more money on flour 🙂
“Hot Flash” is a terrific metaphor for our poor Mother Earth woes! XOGREG
I haven’t made anything like this before. Looks good. You are so hilarious as always. I always enjoy reading your posts.
This would be a good recipe to serve my parents as my dad can’t have egg whites.
Looks delicious! We are eating more recipes like this as my husband is cutting down on carbs to lower his blood sugar.
I’m confused, are you baking this quiche upside down? The crust is on the top?
Hi Tamy. There is no crust. It’s only the garbanzo flour mixture. The top turns golden brown from cooking at a high temperature without a lid.
P.S. No, you don’t turn it upside down—just slice it and serve.
What kind of skillet do you use ?
Hi Laurie. I use an oven-proof stainless steel (an old Farberware). You can actually use Pyrex or ceramic, as well, if you don’t do your sautéing in that.