Spring Brunch Leeks Gruyere (Printer Friendly)

Custardy tart with tender leeks, Gruyere cheese, and fresh herbs for a light spring meal.

# What You Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 9-inch store-bought or homemade pie crust

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, thoroughly cleaned and thinly sliced
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Filling

06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
11 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

→ Cheese

13 - 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F
02 - Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch tart or pie pan. Trim the edges. Prick the base with a fork. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.
03 - Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Blind bake for 12 minutes, then remove weights and parchment and bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
04 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, milk, mustard, nutmeg, chives, and parsley until smooth.
06 - Spread the sautéed leeks evenly over the bottom of the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese.
07 - Pour the egg mixture over the leeks and cheese.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is just set and the top is golden.
09 - Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Pro Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all morning cooking, but honestly takes less time than you'd think.
  • The texture is somewhere between a savory custard and a cloud, and nobody can quite believe you made it.
  • Leftovers taste just as good cold the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Blind baking the crust is non-negotiable if you want a crisp bottom—skipping it means soggy sadness.
  • Don't overbake the filling or it will separate and become watery instead of creamy, so aim for that gentle jiggle in the very center and trust it will finish setting as it cools.
03 -
  • Room temperature eggs blend infinitely more smoothly, so take them out of the fridge 15 minutes before you start mixing.
  • Grate the Gruyere fresh if you possibly can—the pre-shredded varieties have anti-caking agents that prevent even melting and silky texture.
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