Sides That Go With Quiche

A French custard made with a base of milk and eggs and baked in a crust, quiche has long been associated with breakfast. By varying the contents of your custard, including such ingredients as cheese and meats, and choosing the right side dishes, quiche can be served at any meal. Branch out from the standard green side salad and opt for something new and full of flavor.

Serve a salad with quiche to provide both a crunchy counterpart and an acidic balance to the creamy custard. While a simple salad of mild greens and a vinaigrette is an acceptable accompaniment, you can spice up the dish with peppery greens such as arugula, radicchio or escarole and a citrusy dressing. Put together a salad of roasted beets, fresh herbs such as parsley, thinly sliced red onion and a Dijon mustard dressing. Top with crumbed goat cheese and chopped walnuts or pecans. Or create a vinegar-based coleslaw, chilled asparagus and haricot verts salad in a white wine vinaigrette or raw kale and shaved Brussels sprouts salad dressed with lemon juice for a satisfying crunch.

For a hearty side dish that stands up to the richness of quiche, use a potato-based recipe. Prepare home fries with a generous dose of spices such as ground black pepper, garlic powder, celery seed, onion powder, paprika and cumin. Serve baked potatoes with sour cream or creme fraiche and thinly sliced scallions. Crispy latkes, or fried potato pancakes, offer textural variation. Serve thick-cut fries tossed in extra-virgin olive oil, freshly chopped rosemary, salt and ground black pepper then baked to crunchy in a hot oven. Accompany the fries with a chipotle aioli for a spicy kick.

If serving quiche straight from the oven or reheated, offer it with a side of chilled soup. A fresh tomato gazpacho, cold asparagus soup or cantaloupe and honeydew puree provides a bright contrast to the heaviness of the quiche. If serving cold quiche, opt for a bowl of warm soup, such as tomato, French onion or carrot ginger. Choose a soup that complements the ingredients in the quiche while adding variety.

For a simple and light option, serve quiche with a side of fresh fruit such as honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple or berries. Make a quick fruit salad of orange or grapefruit segments and thinly sliced fennel for a sweet and spicy side. Mix fresh lime juice, honey and yogurt for a dressing to drizzle over melon cubes.

Round out your meal with a tasty beverage to accompany the quiche. Serve a homemade agua fresca for a lightly sweet and refreshing drink that plays off of the richness of the custard. For lunch or dinner, opt for a wine. Food & Wine recommends serving quiche with bubbly Champagne, fruity and dry Alsace Riesling or light-bodied red Beaujolais. The acidity of the wine helps counteract the heaviness and creaminess of the quiche.