Use What You Have Frittata

This week we made the perfect pantry meal to use up leftovers and odds and ends! If you have half a dozen or more eggs, you can make this meal! Even the wikipedia article is vague:

“A frittata is a type of Italian omelet, either simple or enriched with additional ingredients, such as meats, cheeses, vegetables and even pasta. It may be compared to a crust-less quiche or, in America, “scrambled eggs.” A frittata is prepared in a frying pan like a traditional French omelet. However, whereas an omelet is cooked on a stove top and served folded, a frittata is not folded and is typically finished in an oven or under a broiler.”

Yep, that’s the whole article. :)

I typically use a 10″ stainless steel or cast iron skillet that will safely transfer to my oven.

You can see an easy step-by-step guide to making a frittata (not mine) over at about.com but here are the basic steps:

1. Decide what to put in it (suggestions below) and chop up any raw ingredients to cook first.
2. Oil your skillet liberally (I use olive or coconut oil).
3. Sautee any veggies until almost done, meats until fully done.
4. In the meantime, boil noodles if you are going to add them.
5. Add any pre-cooked ingredients (including noodles).
6. In separate bowl, crack eggs (the more you use the thicker the frittata will be) and whisk with a little bit of milk or melted butter if desired.
7. Add eggs to skillet with cooked ingredients and stir until well combined.
8. Cook on low until eggs start to firm up – stirring occasionally.
9. Finish in oven or under broiler until eggs are set. Add cheese near the end if you’re using it.
10. Slice into wedges and serve!

I tend to keep mine on the stovetop for a shorter amount of time and in the oven longer – I think it cooks more evenly that way and I don’t have to be as attentive. :)

Here are some ideas for ingredient combos. Remember don’t be afraid to make do with what you have!

• *Spinach, onions, garlic, potatoes, and chicken (what we had this week!)
• *Zucchini (sliced thinly into strips), italian sausage, onion, mozzarella
• *angel hair pasta, kale, leftover turkey, and cream cheese (mixed in)
• *leftover bacon, potatoes, and diced tomatoes (a breakfast frittata!)

Expiriment away! I usually include a veggie, a meat, and a carb/starch (potatoes,rice, or pasta noodles). You really can’t go wrong though. What is your fave combo?