Frittata: The Easiest Meal Ever!

Truly, this is the easiest meal ever. It will take you about 15 minutes from start to finish.

So, what's a frittata? It's the Italian version of an omelet, but it is served open-faced. The base is eggs, but you can add whatever you like - meats, chicken, veggies, cheese.

Yes, we all love a quick, easy meal on a weeknight.  But really, there are only so many times you can pop open a can of Campbell's Chunky before your family threatens mutiny. Even though you're just whipping up an egg dish, you can tell them that they are eating an Italian specialty. Start quoting the Godfather and you'll have them convinced. However, I suggest that you avoid discussions about horse heads at the dinner table.

Preheat the broiler. Crack 8 eggs into a large bowl. Whisk well. Try to whisk in an upwards, circular motion so that you get plenty of air into the mixture. Fluffy eggs.



Good action shot, huh?

Add 3/4 cup milk and whisk again.

Slice ham, or whatever filling you choose, into thin strips. Grate about 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Any cheese will do. A smoked cheese, such as Gruyere, cheddar, or mozzarella, would be lovely.


Heat an ovenproof skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray and melt about 1 tbsp of butter in the skillet. If you use cooking spray, you don't have to use so much butter. However, I can't bear to leave out the butter altogether because it adds flavour. Besides, the French have been using plenty of butter for centuries and look how skinny those ...um...sweet, lovely ladies are. Whew, almost said something undiplomatic about those Parisian beauties (all stemming from insane jealousy, of course). Serves them right...acting so smug about that "French Women Don't Get Fat" book.



Once the butter melts, add the egg mixture. As the eggs cook, pull up the sides of the frittata, letting the uncooked egg run down to the pan.  Seasoning the frittata with salt is optional.  It depends on how salty your toppings are.



Once about 3/4 of the frittata is cooked - there will be a layer of uncooked egg on top - sprinkle your toppings over the frittata.



Put the the skillet in the oven, under the broiler. Broil for about 2 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is just starting to brown.


Look at how beautiful and puffy (official culinary term) the eggs are!   Actually, it looks like one of those Rorschach test.  Look into the eggs and tell me what you see.  Matt Damon taking his shirt off and looking at me longingly...oh...are you still here?  I mean, I see a cute little puppy dog.

Gently loosen the frittata with a spatula. Lay a cutting board over the skillet and invert it so that the frittata falls out onto the board. Cut into wedges and serve, topping side up, with a salad and toast.


Clean-up tip: Despite the nonstick finish, cooking spray, and butter, I usually get some egg sticking to the bottom of the pan. Go to a cooking store and find one of these great little plastic tools to scrape off the excess. Works like a charm!

Ham & Parmesan Frittata

8 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1 tbsp butter

6 slices ham (or other meat)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or other cheese)

Preheat the broiler.  Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk.  Add the milk and whisk again.  

Heat an ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Spray with cooking spray and melt butter in the pan.  Add the eggs.  As the eggs cook, lift the edges of the frittata so that the uncooked egg can run down to the pan.  Once about 3/4 of the frittata is cooked, sprinkle on the toppings.  Place the pan in the oven, under the broiler, for about 2 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is just starting to brown.

Gently loosen the frittata with a spatula.  Place a cutting board over the pan and then invert the pan so that the frittata falls out onto the cutting board.  Cut into wedges and serve immediately.

Serves 4.

Printable recipe

Related Site

-Free Food Recipes Online

-Food and Drink Magazine

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Mini Frittata-Food Network

Mini frittatas are like an omelet you can hold in your hands. This video is part of Everyday Italian show hosted by Giada De Laurentiis . SHOW DESCRIPTION :Italians are masters at transforming simple, everyday ingredients into dishes that are quick, healthy and satisfying. On Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis shares updated versions of homey recipes from her Italian family. She'll show you easy dishes that are perfect for every occasion: a weeknight meal, dinner party or cozy date for two. Buon appetito!

Title: Easy Spaghetti Frittata

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked spaghetti
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
¼ cup Italian salad dressing
6 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ cup green onions, chopped
4 slices of bacon, cooked
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 large tomato, sliced



Preparation Directions:
~ Toss together spaghetti, peas, and Italian dressing. Place in a 9-inch pie plate that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside.
~ In a large bowl whisk eggs and milk together until well blended; pour over spaghetti mixture. Sprinkle with onions, bacon, and cheese; top with tomato slices.
~ Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until center is set and top is golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve.