This is the basic custard mixture that goes into many of our quiches. Some of our favorite combinations appear below, but we hope you'll use them as inspiration for your own creations. Just about any combination of grated cheese, vegetables, leftover meat, poultry, or seafood, or whatever else appeals to you can be added to this all-purpose custard.

1 recipe Piret's Quiche Pastry or Vienna Pastry

Filling:
3 eggs
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk

1. Line the quiche pan with the pastry, pinch up a rim, and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Partially bake the pastry, if you wish, and set it aside.
   
2. To make the filling: Whisk together the eggs, flour, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Blend in the cream, and then the milk.
   
3. Evenly distribute whatever cheese, meat, and/or vegetables you are using in the prepared shell, and pour in the custard filling. (if you are using high-moisture vegetables, such as tomatoes, zucchini, or mushrooms, they should be cooked first to evaporate some of their water content.)
   
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Place the filled pan on a baking sheet. Generally, custard quiches should be baked for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the custard is just set. Let the quiche rest for 8 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving it.