Most Americans grew up eating eggs once in a while. Heck, many of us grew up thinking that breakfast wasn't breakfast if it didn't include eggs, cereal, toast, coffee, and juice - or any combination of the above. Pancakes and French toast were usually relegated to weekends, but they usually involved eggs.
While there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of ways to fix eggs, there are some that have become favorites around my house, including (are you ready?) three ways to dress up scrambled eggs, that staple of so many breakfast tables, and Pirate Eggs (also called Eggs-in-a-Hole). Enjoy!
GRANDPA SHWEDO'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
My dad and his dad both loved to cook. Whenever Dad's parents would spend the weekend, Mom knew better than to attempt to fix every meal; there were entire weekends when the only time Mom could make an appearance in the kitchen was when it was time to clean up. Siiigh... This was one of Grandpa's Sunday morning specials. While the sour cream might not seem like anything special, it definitely perks up the taste of scrambled eggs very nicely.
I've written the instructions for two servings. You can adjust the amount accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
3-4 Tablespoons sour cream (you can use low-fat, if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
margarine for the pan
Directions
Crack eggs into a medium-sized bowl (or any bowl that won't have you spilling eggs on the counter). Add sour cream and stir well. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
CHEESY SCRAMBLED EGGS
Years ago, I spent several days visiting family, and was served these scrambled eggs, which are as easy to fix as Grandpa's are. (Scrambled eggs really shouldn't be difficult!) The family member's "secret"? Cheese. Again, I'm giving you instructions for two servings. Adjust accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk (doesn't have to be exact)
1/4 - 1/2 C shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar for this)
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Crack eggs into bowl, add milk and cheese. Stir. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
VEGGIE SCRAMBLED EGGS
This is how I sometimes fix scrambled eggs. You can start off with plain scrambled eggs, which is what I'm doing for this recipe, or start off with Grandpa's or the cheesy version. Whatever works for you! Again, this is for two people.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, diced (see note)
1 potato, peeled and diced small
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in pan over medium heat. Add the diced veggies and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently so they don't burn. Crack eggs into bowl, add milk, and stir. Pour over the veggies, then stir frequently in the pan. Add salt and pepper just before the eggs are done. Enjoy!
Note: Whenever I run out of peppers, I usually buy a bunch of them in a variety of colors, usually green, red, orange and yellow, trying to get an equal number of each. Then I chop them all up, removing the seeds and stems, and put them into a freezer-safe container with lid. Then, whenever I need peppers, I've got a colorful mix to add to whatever I'm fixing. Usually I guess-timate the amount, approximately 1-2 peppers-worth. But if this doesn't sound like something you're into, no problem. Simply dice up any color pepper you want and add to the mix.
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
Ingredients
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Directions
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPINACH FRITTA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
Ingredients
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
CHEESY CHORIZO FRITTATA
This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "A one skillet breakfast is super simple to get on the table with this cheesy frittata that is loaded with your favorites—chorizo seasoned pork, eggs, cheese and onions. Serve with fresh toppings and sour cream, and your morning is off to a good start."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/cheesy-chorizo-frittata.
Ingredients
1/2 lb ground pork
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
8 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves and sour cream, if desired
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F.
In small bowl, mix pork and taco seasoning mix until combined. In 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add seasoned pork, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Remove from heat.
In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk and salt until combined. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and 1/4 cup of the green onions. Pour egg mixture over pork mixture in skillet. Stir until combined. Transfer to oven.
Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until completely set in center and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top. Bake 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Top with remaining 1/4 cup green onions and the tomatoes. Cut into wedges. Top with cilantro and sour cream.
Expert Tips
Try your favorite cheese, such as shredded Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar, to replace Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend for a different twist.
Skillet (and handle) will be hot, so be sure to cover the handle with a pot holder or kitchen towel before serving.
Showing posts with label Spinach Frittata. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spinach Frittata. Show all posts
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Egg-Xactly Right
“This recipe is certainly silly. It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn't say how far to separate them.” - Gracie Allen
Found in Women's Lip: Outrageous, Irreverent and Just Plain Hilarious Quotes, edited by Roz Warren, page 43.
Most Americans grew up eating eggs once in a while. Heck, many of us grew up thinking that breakfast wasn't breakfast if it didn't include eggs, cereal, toast, coffee, and juice, or any combination of the above. Pancakes and French toast were frequently relegated to weekends, but they usually involved eggs.
While there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of ways to fix eggs, there are some that have become favorites around my house, including two ways to dress up scrambled eggs, that staple of so many breakfast tables. Also check out the Spinach Omelet or Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!
Note: If you'd like a few more egg recipes, check out my post from October 12, 2016.
GRANDPA'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
My dad and his dad both loved to cook. Whenever Dad's parents would spend the weekend, Mom knew better than to attempt to fix every meal; there were entire weekends when the only time Mom could make an appearance in the kitchen was when it was time to clean up. Siiigh... This was one of Grandpa's Sunday morning specials. While the sour cream might not seem like anything special, it definitely perks up the taste of scrambled eggs very nicely.
I've written the instructions for two servings. You can adjust the amount accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
3-4 Tablespoons sour cream (you can use low-fat, if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
margarine for the pan
Directions
Crack eggs into a medium-sized bowl (or any bowl that won't have you spilling eggs on the counter). Add sour cream and stir well. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
MARY'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
I visited family more than fourteen years ago. During that time, Mary fixed these scrambled eggs, which are as easy to fix as Grandpa's are. (Scrambled eggs really shouldn't be difficult!) Her "secret"? Cheese. Again, I'm giving you instructions for two servings. Adjust accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk (doesn't have to be exact)
1/4 - 1/2 C shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar for this)
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Crack eggs into bowl, add milk and cheese. Stir. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
SPINACH OMELET
This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago, and began, “If you like, add a chopped tomato to the mixture just before folding the omelet.”
When this was sent, it had a points value of 5.
Servings: 1; Preparation Time: 8 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
2 1/2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped (do not dry)
2 large egg(s)
2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp olive oil
Directions
In a medium saucepan, cook spinach with just the water that clings to it until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
Drain well, squeezing out all liquid. Cool, then chop finely.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water.
In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; reduce heat and cook until base is set and top is still a little creamy, about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle spinach over one half of eggs; fold omelet in half and cook until eggs are completely set, about 1 minute longer. Serve at once.
OMELET PROVENCAL
This recipe begins, “Create the perfect omelet with the savory French flavors of Provence: tomatoes, garlic, olives and herbs. Make one omelet for two, or two omelets for four. Either way, this easy main dish becomes the highlight of a quick, nutritious meal.”
Recipe Yield: Servings: 2
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/omelet-provencal.
Ingredients
3 large eggs*
1 tablespoon water
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes with garlic and onion, drained
1/4 cup shredded Muenster cheese
2 tablespoons canned sliced black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon herbs de Provence Parsley sprigs, for garnish
* If you need to restrict cholesterol, use 3/4 cup egg substitute, or use some egg whites in place of a whole egg(s).
Directions
Combine eggs, water and pepper in a small bowl; whisk gently to blend the whites and yolks, but not to make them frothy.
Melt the olive oil in a 10-inch, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, tilting to coat the bottom and sides.
Once the oil is hot, pour the eggs in.
As the eggs start to set, lift the edges so the uncooked egg mixture flows underneath. Cook until the eggs are set and no visible liquid egg remains, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Top half the omelet with tomatoes, cheese and olives; sprinkle with parsley and herbs de Provence. Flip the unfilled half of the omelet over the top.
Heat until lightly browned on the bottom, then slide onto a plate to serve.
Garnish with parsley sprigs.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 550 mg; Cholesterol: 330 mg; Protein: 13 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
Ingredients
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Directions
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPINACH FRITTATA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
Ingredients
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
Found in Women's Lip: Outrageous, Irreverent and Just Plain Hilarious Quotes, edited by Roz Warren, page 43.
Most Americans grew up eating eggs once in a while. Heck, many of us grew up thinking that breakfast wasn't breakfast if it didn't include eggs, cereal, toast, coffee, and juice, or any combination of the above. Pancakes and French toast were frequently relegated to weekends, but they usually involved eggs.
While there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of ways to fix eggs, there are some that have become favorites around my house, including two ways to dress up scrambled eggs, that staple of so many breakfast tables. Also check out the Spinach Omelet or Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!
Note: If you'd like a few more egg recipes, check out my post from October 12, 2016.
GRANDPA'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
My dad and his dad both loved to cook. Whenever Dad's parents would spend the weekend, Mom knew better than to attempt to fix every meal; there were entire weekends when the only time Mom could make an appearance in the kitchen was when it was time to clean up. Siiigh... This was one of Grandpa's Sunday morning specials. While the sour cream might not seem like anything special, it definitely perks up the taste of scrambled eggs very nicely.
I've written the instructions for two servings. You can adjust the amount accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
3-4 Tablespoons sour cream (you can use low-fat, if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
margarine for the pan
Directions
Crack eggs into a medium-sized bowl (or any bowl that won't have you spilling eggs on the counter). Add sour cream and stir well. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
MARY'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
I visited family more than fourteen years ago. During that time, Mary fixed these scrambled eggs, which are as easy to fix as Grandpa's are. (Scrambled eggs really shouldn't be difficult!) Her "secret"? Cheese. Again, I'm giving you instructions for two servings. Adjust accordingly.
Ingredients
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk (doesn't have to be exact)
1/4 - 1/2 C shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar for this)
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Crack eggs into bowl, add milk and cheese. Stir. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
SPINACH OMELET
This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago, and began, “If you like, add a chopped tomato to the mixture just before folding the omelet.”
When this was sent, it had a points value of 5.
Servings: 1; Preparation Time: 8 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
2 1/2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped (do not dry)
2 large egg(s)
2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp olive oil
Directions
In a medium saucepan, cook spinach with just the water that clings to it until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
Drain well, squeezing out all liquid. Cool, then chop finely.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water.
In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; reduce heat and cook until base is set and top is still a little creamy, about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle spinach over one half of eggs; fold omelet in half and cook until eggs are completely set, about 1 minute longer. Serve at once.
OMELET PROVENCAL
This recipe begins, “Create the perfect omelet with the savory French flavors of Provence: tomatoes, garlic, olives and herbs. Make one omelet for two, or two omelets for four. Either way, this easy main dish becomes the highlight of a quick, nutritious meal.”
Recipe Yield: Servings: 2
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/omelet-provencal.
Ingredients
3 large eggs*
1 tablespoon water
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes with garlic and onion, drained
1/4 cup shredded Muenster cheese
2 tablespoons canned sliced black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon herbs de Provence Parsley sprigs, for garnish
* If you need to restrict cholesterol, use 3/4 cup egg substitute, or use some egg whites in place of a whole egg(s).
Directions
Combine eggs, water and pepper in a small bowl; whisk gently to blend the whites and yolks, but not to make them frothy.
Melt the olive oil in a 10-inch, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, tilting to coat the bottom and sides.
Once the oil is hot, pour the eggs in.
As the eggs start to set, lift the edges so the uncooked egg mixture flows underneath. Cook until the eggs are set and no visible liquid egg remains, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Top half the omelet with tomatoes, cheese and olives; sprinkle with parsley and herbs de Provence. Flip the unfilled half of the omelet over the top.
Heat until lightly browned on the bottom, then slide onto a plate to serve.
Garnish with parsley sprigs.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 550 mg; Cholesterol: 330 mg; Protein: 13 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
Ingredients
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Directions
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPINACH FRITTATA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
Ingredients
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
Monday, October 7, 2019
Meatless Monday - Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's vegetarian recipes are perfect for cast iron skillets.
For years, I'd heard others gush over the joys of cast iron skillet, and wondered what all the fuss was about. Then, several years ago, I broke down and bought one. Wow! If you're cooking anything that you might want a little bit of a crust on – veggie burgers (or hamburgers, if you're so inclined), corn bread, what-have-you – then nothing beats a cast iron skillet.
While wandering through TheKitchn's website, I found two extremely helpful articles dealing with cast iron skillets. The first one, titled “How To Season a Cast Iron Skillet”, shows how to season your cast iron skillet before using it. The second article, which is also extremely helpful, is titled “How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet”.
There's also a third article to read through if you're wondering whether to buy a cast iron skillet, especially if you're worried about using one. I'd wondered if I could cook certain foods in a cast iron skillet, or how to use one. Check out “5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware”. Finally, one last link to check out from The Kitchn: 35 Ways to Love Your Cast Iron Skillet. Tips and recipes for using your cast iron skillet.
And now for today's six vegetarian recipes, including Cheddar-Tarragon Cornbread and Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza. Enjoy!
WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMOND-HERB SAUCE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This striking dish has become a modern classic, as chefs around the world are working out new ways to push vegetables into the center of the plate. It makes a lovely vegetarian main course after a pasta intro, or a gorgeous side dish for lamb or fish. Omit the anchovies [see Note] in the sauce, and it becomes entirely vegetarian; replace the butter with more olive oil, and it turns vegan. Try using pale orange, green or purple cauliflower, or a head of spiky, psychedelic Romanesco. Carve it at the table, just like a roast, for maximum impact.”
Note: I've omitted the anchovies in the ingredient list...Never liked 'em, even before I was a vegetarian. Since they were listed as optional, I've left them out. If you want to check out the recipe with the anchovies included, you can follow the link (posted in just a minute...) and view it there.
Time for this recipe is about 2 hours; makes 2 main course servings, or 4 to 6 side dish servings. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAULIFLOWER:
1 large cauliflower
Olive oil
Salt
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/3 cup blanched almonds
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for basting
2 teaspoons wine vinegar (white or red), more to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley, mint, tarragon, cilantro or a combination
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine almonds, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN SPICE CAKE
This comes from the February 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37. It begins, “This moist spice cake is a great alternative to the butter-laden upside-down cakes of yesteryear.” Serves 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/pineapple-upside-down-spice-cake/.
Ingredients
Topping
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 20-oz. can juice-packed sliced pineapple rings, drained, 1/4 cup juice reserved
3/4 cup dried cranberries, divided
Batter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened apple butter
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 12-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray.
To make Topping: Melt butter in skillet, add sugar, and cook 2 minutes, or until sugar is bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in reserved pineapple juice.
Arrange pineapple rings on bottom of skillet, and place 2 dried cranberries in center of each ring.
To make Batter: Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, apple butter, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla in bowl. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and allspice in separate bowl. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, and stir in remaining dried cranberries.
Spread Batter in skillet, and bake 30 minutes, or until top is set and brown. Cool 10 minutes. Place large plate over skillet, and invert cake onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 441; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 85 g; Cholesterol: 61 mg; Sodium: 595 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 56 g
DEEP-DISH SKILLET PIZZA
This also comes from page 37 of the February 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Try this homemade pizza technique with your favorite toppings as well.” Serves 6.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/deep-dish-skillet-pizza/.
Ingredients
Dough
1 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 pkg. dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. flax meal or ground flaxseed
2 tsp. olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt
Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
8 cups loosely packed kale
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. ground fennel seed
2 Tbs. Neufchâtel cheese (2 oz.)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano or basil
Directions
To make Dough: Dissolve brown sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in large bowl. Stir in yeast, and let stand 5 minutes, or until liquid is cloudy and bubbly. Stir in whole-wheat flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, flax meal, oil, and salt. Knead 2 minutes while adding 1/4 cup flour. Oil separate bowl, and turn dough in oil to coat. Cover, and let rise in warm spot until dough doubles in size, about 45 minutes.
To make Topping: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Add kale, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until kale is softened, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and fennel seed, and cook 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat, and stir in Neufchâtel cheese.
Preheat oven to 475°F. Oil bottom and sides of 12-inch cast iron skillet. With floured hands, pat and stretch Dough over bottom and halfway up sides of skillet. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Spread kale mixture on dough; scatter feta cheese, tomatoes, and oregano on top. Place skillet directly on oven floor, and bake 15 minutes. Remove carefully from oven, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 274; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 4 g
CHEDDAR-TARRAGON CORNBREAD
This comes from Country Living, and begins, “Use your cast-iron skillet to make this Cheddar cheese- and tarragon-laced cornbread.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Moderate: Yield: 6 slices.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3349/cheddar-tarragon-cornbread-recipe/.
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. Buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 oz. sharp Cheddar
1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside.
Place butter in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet; set in oven until butter melts and begins to brown. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Remove skillet from oven and pour melted butter into buttermilk mixture; whisk to combine and add in Cheddar and tarragon.
Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Pour into hot skillet and return to oven. Bake until skewer inserted into center tests clean, about 20 minutes.
JASON'S HOME FRIES
This is one of my oldest son's inventions. He fixed this on one of his many trips back home. This can also be found in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.
3-4 potatoes, scrubbed, not peeled
3-4 T butter or oil (or both)
1 pepper (red, green or yellow), diced
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Cut potatoes across (not length-wise). Heat oil or butter. Add potatoes, onions, pepper & garlic. Cover, cook over medium heat, turning occasionally with a spatula, until brown & crusty.
SPINACH FRITTA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
Ingredients
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
For years, I'd heard others gush over the joys of cast iron skillet, and wondered what all the fuss was about. Then, several years ago, I broke down and bought one. Wow! If you're cooking anything that you might want a little bit of a crust on – veggie burgers (or hamburgers, if you're so inclined), corn bread, what-have-you – then nothing beats a cast iron skillet.
While wandering through TheKitchn's website, I found two extremely helpful articles dealing with cast iron skillets. The first one, titled “How To Season a Cast Iron Skillet”, shows how to season your cast iron skillet before using it. The second article, which is also extremely helpful, is titled “How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet”.
There's also a third article to read through if you're wondering whether to buy a cast iron skillet, especially if you're worried about using one. I'd wondered if I could cook certain foods in a cast iron skillet, or how to use one. Check out “5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware”. Finally, one last link to check out from The Kitchn: 35 Ways to Love Your Cast Iron Skillet. Tips and recipes for using your cast iron skillet.
And now for today's six vegetarian recipes, including Cheddar-Tarragon Cornbread and Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza. Enjoy!
WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMOND-HERB SAUCE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This striking dish has become a modern classic, as chefs around the world are working out new ways to push vegetables into the center of the plate. It makes a lovely vegetarian main course after a pasta intro, or a gorgeous side dish for lamb or fish. Omit the anchovies [see Note] in the sauce, and it becomes entirely vegetarian; replace the butter with more olive oil, and it turns vegan. Try using pale orange, green or purple cauliflower, or a head of spiky, psychedelic Romanesco. Carve it at the table, just like a roast, for maximum impact.”
Note: I've omitted the anchovies in the ingredient list...Never liked 'em, even before I was a vegetarian. Since they were listed as optional, I've left them out. If you want to check out the recipe with the anchovies included, you can follow the link (posted in just a minute...) and view it there.
Time for this recipe is about 2 hours; makes 2 main course servings, or 4 to 6 side dish servings. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAULIFLOWER:
1 large cauliflower
Olive oil
Salt
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/3 cup blanched almonds
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for basting
2 teaspoons wine vinegar (white or red), more to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley, mint, tarragon, cilantro or a combination
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine almonds, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN SPICE CAKE
This comes from the February 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37. It begins, “This moist spice cake is a great alternative to the butter-laden upside-down cakes of yesteryear.” Serves 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/pineapple-upside-down-spice-cake/.
Ingredients
Topping
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 20-oz. can juice-packed sliced pineapple rings, drained, 1/4 cup juice reserved
3/4 cup dried cranberries, divided
Batter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened apple butter
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 12-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray.
To make Topping: Melt butter in skillet, add sugar, and cook 2 minutes, or until sugar is bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in reserved pineapple juice.
Arrange pineapple rings on bottom of skillet, and place 2 dried cranberries in center of each ring.
To make Batter: Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, apple butter, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla in bowl. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and allspice in separate bowl. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, and stir in remaining dried cranberries.
Spread Batter in skillet, and bake 30 minutes, or until top is set and brown. Cool 10 minutes. Place large plate over skillet, and invert cake onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 441; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 85 g; Cholesterol: 61 mg; Sodium: 595 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 56 g
DEEP-DISH SKILLET PIZZA
This also comes from page 37 of the February 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Try this homemade pizza technique with your favorite toppings as well.” Serves 6.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/deep-dish-skillet-pizza/.
Ingredients
Dough
1 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 pkg. dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. flax meal or ground flaxseed
2 tsp. olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt
Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
8 cups loosely packed kale
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. ground fennel seed
2 Tbs. Neufchâtel cheese (2 oz.)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano or basil
Directions
To make Dough: Dissolve brown sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in large bowl. Stir in yeast, and let stand 5 minutes, or until liquid is cloudy and bubbly. Stir in whole-wheat flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, flax meal, oil, and salt. Knead 2 minutes while adding 1/4 cup flour. Oil separate bowl, and turn dough in oil to coat. Cover, and let rise in warm spot until dough doubles in size, about 45 minutes.
To make Topping: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Add kale, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until kale is softened, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and fennel seed, and cook 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat, and stir in Neufchâtel cheese.
Preheat oven to 475°F. Oil bottom and sides of 12-inch cast iron skillet. With floured hands, pat and stretch Dough over bottom and halfway up sides of skillet. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Spread kale mixture on dough; scatter feta cheese, tomatoes, and oregano on top. Place skillet directly on oven floor, and bake 15 minutes. Remove carefully from oven, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 274; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 4 g
CHEDDAR-TARRAGON CORNBREAD
This comes from Country Living, and begins, “Use your cast-iron skillet to make this Cheddar cheese- and tarragon-laced cornbread.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Moderate: Yield: 6 slices.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3349/cheddar-tarragon-cornbread-recipe/.
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. Buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 oz. sharp Cheddar
1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside.
Place butter in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet; set in oven until butter melts and begins to brown. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Remove skillet from oven and pour melted butter into buttermilk mixture; whisk to combine and add in Cheddar and tarragon.
Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Pour into hot skillet and return to oven. Bake until skewer inserted into center tests clean, about 20 minutes.
JASON'S HOME FRIES
This is one of my oldest son's inventions. He fixed this on one of his many trips back home. This can also be found in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.
3-4 potatoes, scrubbed, not peeled
3-4 T butter or oil (or both)
1 pepper (red, green or yellow), diced
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Cut potatoes across (not length-wise). Heat oil or butter. Add potatoes, onions, pepper & garlic. Cover, cook over medium heat, turning occasionally with a spatula, until brown & crusty.
SPINACH FRITTA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
Ingredients
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Egg-zactly What To Fix...
Most Americans grew up eating eggs once in a while. Heck, many of us grew up thinking that breakfast wasn't breakfast if it didn't include eggs, cereal, toast, coffee, and juice--or any combination of the above. Pancakes and French toast were usually relegated to weekends, but they usually involved eggs.
While there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of ways to fix eggs, there are some that have become favorites around my house, including (are you ready?) three ways to dress up scrambled eggs, that staple of so many breakfast tables.
GRANDPA SHWEDO'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
My dad and his dad both loved to cook. Whenever Dad's parents would spend the weekend, Mom knew better than to attempt to fix every meal; there were entire weekends when the only time Mom could make an appearance in the kitchen was when it was time to clean up. Siiigh... This was one of Grandpa's Sunday morning specials. While the sour cream might not seem like anything special, it definitely perks up the taste of scrambled eggs very nicely.
I've written the instructions for two servings. You can adjust the amount accordingly.
4-6 large eggs
3-4 Tablespoons sour cream (you can use low-fat, if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
margarine for the pan
Crack eggs into a medium-sized bowl (or any bowl that won't have you spilling eggs on the counter). Add sour cream and stir well. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
MARY'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
I visited my oldest son and his wife almost ten years ago. Mary fixed these scrambled eggs, which are as easy to fix as Grandpa's are. (Scrambled eggs really shouldn't be difficult!) Her "secret"? Cheese. Again, I'm giving you instructions for two servings. Adjust accordingly.
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk (doesn't have to be exact)
1/4 - 1/2 C shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar for this)
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Crack eggs into bowl, add milk and cheese. Stir. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
VEGGIE SCRAMBLED EGGSThis is how I sometimes fix scrambled eggs. You can start off with plain scrambled eggs, which is what I'm doing for this recipe, or start off with Grandpa's or Mary's version. Whatever works for you! Again, this is for two people.
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, diced (see note)
1 potato, peeled and diced small
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Melt margarine in pan over medium heat. Add the diced veggies and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently so they don't burn. Crack eggs into bowl, add milk, and stir. Pour over the veggies, then stir frequently in the pan. Add salt and pepper just before the eggs are done. Enjoy!
Note: Whenever I run out of peppers, I usually buy a bunch of them in a variety of colors, usually green, red, orange and yellow, trying to get an equal number of each. Then I chop them all up, removing the seeds and stems, and put them into a freezer-safe container with lid. Then, whenever I need peppers, I've got a colorful mix to add to whatever I'm fixing. Usually I guess-timate the amount, approximately 1-2 peppers-worth. But if this doesn't sound like something you're into, no problem. Simply dice up any color pepper you want and add to the mix.
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPINACH FRITTATA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
While there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of ways to fix eggs, there are some that have become favorites around my house, including (are you ready?) three ways to dress up scrambled eggs, that staple of so many breakfast tables.
GRANDPA SHWEDO'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
My dad and his dad both loved to cook. Whenever Dad's parents would spend the weekend, Mom knew better than to attempt to fix every meal; there were entire weekends when the only time Mom could make an appearance in the kitchen was when it was time to clean up. Siiigh... This was one of Grandpa's Sunday morning specials. While the sour cream might not seem like anything special, it definitely perks up the taste of scrambled eggs very nicely.
I've written the instructions for two servings. You can adjust the amount accordingly.
4-6 large eggs
3-4 Tablespoons sour cream (you can use low-fat, if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
margarine for the pan
Crack eggs into a medium-sized bowl (or any bowl that won't have you spilling eggs on the counter). Add sour cream and stir well. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
MARY'S SCRAMBLED EGGS
I visited my oldest son and his wife almost ten years ago. Mary fixed these scrambled eggs, which are as easy to fix as Grandpa's are. (Scrambled eggs really shouldn't be difficult!) Her "secret"? Cheese. Again, I'm giving you instructions for two servings. Adjust accordingly.
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk (doesn't have to be exact)
1/4 - 1/2 C shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar for this)
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Crack eggs into bowl, add milk and cheese. Stir. Add margarine to pan and melt on medium heat. Add eggs and stir frequently, cooking on low- to medium-heat. Add salt and pepper to taste just before the eggs are finished cooking. Enjoy!
VEGGIE SCRAMBLED EGGSThis is how I sometimes fix scrambled eggs. You can start off with plain scrambled eggs, which is what I'm doing for this recipe, or start off with Grandpa's or Mary's version. Whatever works for you! Again, this is for two people.
4-6 large eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, diced (see note)
1 potato, peeled and diced small
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Melt margarine in pan over medium heat. Add the diced veggies and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently so they don't burn. Crack eggs into bowl, add milk, and stir. Pour over the veggies, then stir frequently in the pan. Add salt and pepper just before the eggs are done. Enjoy!
Note: Whenever I run out of peppers, I usually buy a bunch of them in a variety of colors, usually green, red, orange and yellow, trying to get an equal number of each. Then I chop them all up, removing the seeds and stems, and put them into a freezer-safe container with lid. Then, whenever I need peppers, I've got a colorful mix to add to whatever I'm fixing. Usually I guess-timate the amount, approximately 1-2 peppers-worth. But if this doesn't sound like something you're into, no problem. Simply dice up any color pepper you want and add to the mix.
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPINACH FRITTATA
I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.
4 eggs
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1 onion, chopped
1 pepper, chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
margarine for pan
salt and pepper to taste
Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)