I do not have a green thumb. Plants under my care do not live long. It is a proven fact. Still, each year I try to grow herbs and flowers and make our backyard somewhat less of a weed garden. Two years ago we tried to grow herbs from seeds and that little experiment ended up all over our living room carpeting. Last year we bought grown herbs and planted them along the house. Our results were mixed. The sage, rosemary and thyme did very well, but the basil died within a few weeks. 
This year, we tried again. We’ve also added sun flowers, baby tomatoes and impatiens to the mix. The tomatoes were Miss A’s request. I warned her that I’m not very good at gardening, but she insisted and said not to worry, she’ll take care of them. We’re six weeks in and I’m proud to report that the herbs are growing well. Even the basil, while not thriving, is better than last year. We have three sun flowers (we planted many more than three seeds mind you) are coming up and will hopefully survive. The impatiens are thriving and Miss A’s baby tomatoes are producing. I can’t report on how they taste, because so far, she has eaten them all. She said they are perfect. 
So today’s recipe brings a bit of our “thriving” garden into the mix and features some decidedly summer flavors. After a recent visit to our favorite farm, I learned how to make a beautiful oat quiche crust from scratch. The kids loved it (especially Mr. N) and, as you may remember, I love any kind of non-yeast dough I can get my hands on. The fabulous thing about a quiche is that it can be suited to a variety of different flavors. Have leftover veggies in the fridge? Toss them in! Fancy cheese, regular cheese…no matter, it’s your canvas. So with the oat crust under our belts and our growing garden as inspiration, we created the Tomato Mozzarella Quiche. 
We began with our crust. It’s a simple 1:1 ratio of oats to flour and a 1:1 ratio of olive oil and water. We used 1 cup each of flour and oats and 1/4 cup each oil and water. I also chopped up some fresh basil and oregano and tossed it into the dough for extra flavor. The measurements are rough. A lot of it is based on feel. If it’s too dry, add more oil and water. If it’s too sticky, some more flour. 
Once the dough is ready, it’s pressed into a pie dish – over the bottom and up the sides. 
Next it was time for our ingredients. First we went with a layer of caramelized balsamic onions because they’re just really good. I don’t have a recipe for these. I just caramelized onions and added some balsamic vinegar toward the end of cook time. They provided the first layer of our quiche. 
Next came the tomatoes with a layer of fresh basil leaves. These aren’t the tomatoes from our garden since those have all been eaten, but the basil was ours. 
Then came the slices of fresh mozzarella (we’re lucky this didn’t disappear either, as Miss A is known for devouring a lot of fresh cheese). 
Finally, it was time for the eggs. We whisked together several eggs with half & half as well as some more chopped basil. This was then poured over the tomatoes and mozzarella, and then seasoned with a spritz of lemon juice, salt and pepper. 
The quiche baked for 45 minutes at 350F and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are some of my favorite summer flavors. I knew this would be delicious (at least I hoped it would be). I had high expectations. 
That said, this meal was somewhat of a risk. While I knew Mr. N was a huge fan of the oat crust, I also know he doesn’t like tomatoes. And while Miss A is happy to snack at tomatoes and mozzarella on their own, she doesn’t much care to combine them (although I think she’ll learn!). 
The quiche was cooked perfectly. The center was slightly wiggly and it was cooked all the way through. It sliced cleanly and served easily. We enjoyed our quiche with a fresh spinach salad and a piece of homemade rosemary bread. A lovely homemade summer meal. (Especially lovely that it’s finally a homemade meal!) 
We tried the quiche both on its own and with a bit of a balsamic reduction. Both were delicious. The tomatoes were juicy. The basil was fresh and peppery, and the onions were sweet and succulent. It was divine. At least for me. It clearly lived up to my expectations and I’m happy to give it a 4 spoon rating. 
Mike also enjoyed the quiche, but not as much as I did. He felt the onions should have been dispersed more throughout the quiche. So he gave it three spoons. I didn’t have a problem getting a bite of everything on my fork, but I see his point. Still it didn’t alter my vote one bit. 
Mr. N also gave the quiche a 3 spoon vote. He loved everything about it – except the tomatoes. They were cast to the side. Still the rest of it he seemed to enjoy and even asked for seconds. (Don’t worry, his tomatoes did not go to waste!) 
Miss A, who is incidentally our birthday girl this week, only gave the quiche 2 spoons. She said that she didn’t mind eating it, but wouldn’t want to eat it again. She did deconstruct her quiche and ate every piece of tomato, mozzarella and crust. The eggs and basil were left behind.
Print this recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Quiche
Not too worry though, Miss A will have her own special birthday recipe coming soon. I think she may even make it herself. She is plotting. She’s even planned her pictures. Definitely a food blogger in the making.
We have another week of more birthday celebrations and plays for both of the children coming up. Miss A has decided that she wants a bit of the stage glory. We’re not yet sure how Mr. N will react to sharing the spotlight, but it’s certain to be entertaining!
Have a wonderful couple weeks. Cheers!
Eat, Play, Love 
Oh my gosh! The tomato Mozzarella Quiche looks amazing. Making me hungry! I think it is wonderful that you are teaching your kids about hands-on life skills. In the technologically-driven world we are in today, it is important that children learn life and reasoning skills. WHAT A GREAT MOMMY! I love your Eat, Play, Love title, too! Cute!
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Love this recipe! Will make it next week!
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I’ve been so busy lately that I’m very late to your post. 😦 I love the sound of your quiche and I certainly have the tomatoes for the recipe. I’m very happy to hear about Ms. A’s green thumb…good job!
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Oh she’s growing up!!! shes lovely and so is the quiche! scrumptious!
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Oh, my goodness – it’s been so long since I stopped by, and Miss A is looking so grown up!! I love that she’s taking care of the tomatoes for you. 🙂 We always have mixed luck in our garden, depending on the year – and have always had trouble with basil, if it makes you feel any better. Your quiche looks fantastic and I am intrigued by the idea of an oat crust… 🙂 Hope all is well with your family, Kristy!
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I think probably that’s the most beautiful quiche I’ve ever seen 🙂
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Congratulations on your successful growing garden, can Miss A please post photos of the tomatoes before she devour them? Saving this quiche recipe for when my kitchen is completed.
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I would give your quiche four spoons! I love quiche and I love how this has those slices of mozzarella in it. Happy birthday to Miss A – she sure looks thrilled to be celebrating her birthday. And as for Mr N – while in NY we went to see Matilda. As I saw the child actors on stage (so brilliantly talented), I thought of your Mr N and how much he would love to be in a production like that xx
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I don’t have a green thumb either…my succulent died the other week! Ha! That quiche looks delicious!!
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wow, that’s a nice ones!!!
great idea to using oats on the crust…..
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Happy Birthday Miss A! She does have a little green thumb, you will have to keep her around just so that your plants stay alive, well at least through high school… your quiche looks beautiful. I know she only gave it 2 spoons but that is just because everything is touching and you know how kids do not like things touching. I personally give this a 5 stars. Take care, BAM
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oat quiche crust? From scratch? Wow! I am totally impressed and now totally hungry. I can’t believe it. It looks delicious and I need Miss A to come to my garden and help it to grow better. I do not have very much of a green thumb which is weird considering I am the daughter of 3 generations of farmers:) LOL!
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Wow Ms A have a green finger, totally opposite of me as I kill everything in the garden and weeds grow healthy
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I knew I liked that girl. But when did she get so tall!
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That quiche looks and sounds amazing; you’re absolutely right Kristy, a perfect summertime meal. We’ve got vegetarian friends coming to the cottage in a couple if weeks, this will definitely make it to the menu plan.
Miss A should definitely start a blog, would love to read it.
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Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it Eva!
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Go Miss A – you are clearly a natural gardener and clearly an up and coming famous food blogger and beautiful happy birthday wishes to you!
🙂 Mandy xo
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Thank you Mandy!
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This looks so fabulous! As soon as I can find a pie pan or tart pan (we just moved and haven’t unboxed yet), I will give this a try. Like you, I don’t have much luck with basil–but I take that as a sign that I should use a lot of it while I have it–and that makes me happy. On a side note, cilantro is the one herb that I have absolutely no luck with. But I LOVE it–so if anyone has tips on growing cilantro, I’d love to hear them!
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I haven’t tried cilantro yet, but we love it too. Perhaps we’ll attack that challenge next year. I hope you love the quiche as much as we did. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
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I love that nobody else’s got any tomatoes yet, that made me laugh. This quiche looks delicious, and that plate is absolutely gorgeous! Is it Italian?
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Thank you! The plate was picked up locally. I’m not sure of the origin, but I love it too. It reminded me of Spain and the kids picked up a few for Mother’s Day for me. 🙂
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Wow I am so impressed with Miss A! OMG, I can’t even touch a plant without it collapsing!
This quiche looks lovely, she has great choices! And can’t wait to hear about the birthday celebrations, happy birthday to her 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thank you CCU! It’s been a great birthday week so far. 🙂
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This sounds delicious!!!! I don’t care for tomatoes raw, but this might be tasty… will put this on my list of things to try!
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. And if the tomatoes still don’t work, Mr. N just pushed them to the side and at the rest. 😉
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“I can’t report on how they taste, because so far, she has eaten them all.” That just gave me the biggest belly laugh; please thank your birthday girl for me! Kristy, there is nothing about this summer delicious quiche that I don’t love! Your straightforward unleavened oat crust (yay and yum), is genius and it’s still early enough in the season that I may actually have one or two basil branches still living in my window box (they are always the toughest for me). Your caramelized balsamic onions look incredible — I want to eat this beautiful quiche for dinner right now!! :).
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She is a hoot! Glad to hear I’m not the only one struggling with basil. It’s the one we use the most too, so I really want it to do well. I hope you get a chance to try this one Kelly. I think you’d love it. 🙂
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I am the same way, plants just look at me and they die. Your basil is looking a ton better than mine – good for Miss A!! Can’t wait to see what she picked out for her birthday!
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It’s crazy isn’t it. I try really hard too. Ah well, I have Miss A now!
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Looks absolutely scrumptious!
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Thank you!
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That looks delicious! Some of my favorite ingredients as well.
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🙂 Maybe we’ll have to whip this one up the next time you guys come over.
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Yum
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Thank you so much!
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