When I first met the colonel, he had the refined palate of a fussy toddler. If it didn't involve meat, cheese, bread, or pasta, he'd turn his nose right up. Now I'll admit, he's gotten a whole lot better over the years, but I still go to some lengths to get more vegetables down his gullet.
For example, I've learned to sneak in extra veggies with these simple Denver scrambled eggs. This dish uses the principles of Denver omelets, without the pressure.
There's a lot to love about them. First, you can make a huge amount if you have a big group to feed. Second, they're fast: With a little prep work up front, you can go from plan to plate in roughly 15 minutes. Third, they're a fantastic use for leftover ham from high dining holidays.
What's that you say? Easter was like a month ago? Not to worry, our favorite grocery sells these boneless ham steaks, which I totally spaced on photographing. But whatever your source of delicious pork, cutting it into cubes is the sum total of the aforementioned prep work.
So you start with a hot skillet and add olive oil. Then toss in the diced ham, like so:
While that's getting a bit brown, go ahead and crack some eggs and milk into a mixing bowl. For the two of us, I usually use either four medium eggs or three large ones. Season to taste. I mean, even I'm not so pedantic as to walk y'all through scrambling eggs.
Anyway, now here's my secret weapon.
I prefer the Whole Foods 365 southwest blend, but this will work just fine in a pinch. (Where "in a pinch" is defined as, "out of stock at Whole Foods for months." Grr.)
Now don't let the package lie to you; frozen peppers are actually rubbish for fajitas. They sweat so much they make the fajita filling runny and gross. But they're awesome for dishes like this, where that moisture has someplace to go. They're also a go-to topping for my homemade pizza.
Straight outta the freezer and into the skillet.
You don't really want to cook these vegetables; they have a tendency to get mushy on the heat too long. Just stir gently until they're good and thawed. You might want to use your spatula to break down the bigger chunks.
Next, pour in your beaten egg mixture. Be sure to go slowly so you don't wash all the fillings toward one section of the pan.
Here's where I drop bread into the toaster. Your timing on this will vary based on, well, your toaster. Give the eggs a few minutes to stiffen and give them a stir.
Once you don't see anymore shiny bits, pile up the deliciousness and cover with cheddar cheese.
Cut the heat, and give the cheese a little time to melt while you butter the toast.
To give it an authentic Denver flair, serve with sliced tomatoes and a shot of sour cream. Salsa also makes a tasty topping, as does Tabasco. Just depends what you're into.
I swear it took me 10 times longer to write this post than it did to cook these eggs.
Showing posts with label Eggs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eggs. Show all posts
May 22, 2014
July 13, 2010
Sunday brunch: Black bean frittata
"You've been quiet," said Gina in a text exchange yesterday.
I know. Stuff going on, man. Class prep, Tour de France, and using the laptop as a DVD player have cut severely into my blogging time.
Sadly, Lance Armstrong got his ass handed to him on Sunday. But I hold out hope for Levi Leipheimer, maybe Cadel Evans. Actually anyone but that dick Alberto Contador. Because you guys sooo care about the Tour de France. Anyway...
Also on Sunday I decided to try a certifiably snooty-sounding late breakfast: black bean frittata. Well, actually I decided that on Saturday night, which is good because dry beans have to soak.
What I used:
Next I give them a good rinse right in the pot.
Then pour off the rinse water.
Now the beans go back in the pot with 2 cups of cold water. I stuck a lid on there and left it to soak overnight.
First thing Sunday morning, I did another quick rinse and sort, before adding a fresh 2 cups of water. Then the pot went on the stove with its lid tilted. I simmered the beans over low heat for about 2 hours. Now you see what makes this a lovely brunch, but a lousy breakfast. That is, unless you pre-cook the beans or (gasp) just open a can.
Fast forward through a couple of hours of Tour de France coverage. Now, I know the ingredients gave actual measurements for these veggies, but I have to admit that was pretty much a guess. "What was left in the fridge" sounded super lame, despite its truth. How about...
I poured a generous amount of olive oil into an enameled iron skillet. Then I let it get hot enough for a sprinkle of black pepper to sizzle.
Meanwhile I combined the eggs, milk, and spices. Basically it's just like mixing up scrambled eggs, except for the addition of the garlic powder and marjoram. Into the skillet went the onion and green pepper.
Next went the tomatoes and about half* of the black beans.
As soon all those ingredients were stirred together good, I poured in the egg mixture.
Okay, this bit isn't tricky, but kinda hard to describe (and a nightmare to photograph). Basically, once the outside edges of the egg get solid, you want to carefully run your spatula between the egg and the skillet. Then gently pull the solid egg away from the edge, and let the liquid part from the middle run down in there.
Making frittata is basically repeating this step over and over. I stopped when the most dramatic pan-tilting no longer produced any eggy runoff.
Next, I sprinkled on a generous helping of mozzarella, and some parsley to make it pretty.
Here's why I love that enameled cast iron. It's small across, but deep, which is perfect for this recipe. It has a nonstick coating inside, but not a wussy one like T-Fal or whatever. You can even use metal utensils in it! Most important, it's safe to put in the toaster oven.
It just takes two or three minutes to melt the cheese. And then?
I cut it into quarters and served it with some crazy farmer's market bread Doug picked out.
But who was I kidding with that one-egg portion? I went back for seconds without a second thought.
One important note: I meant what I said above about using basil. I mean, this was yummy and all, but my mouth could just imagine a little extra, awesome kick. Sadly, I'm not convinced Doug was as impressed as I had hoped he'd be. Next time, if there is a next time, basil is in.
I am sad to report, by the time I finished typing this, Cadel Evans cracked on the slopes of the Alps, falling out of contention in the Tour de France. Gonna have to put my money onAlex Andy* Schleck I guess. Cuz I'm serious. Anyone but Contador. That guy is a dick.
*Edited July 17: My husband read this post, and called me out on two bonehead mistakes. I only used about half the cooked beans in our frittata. We had the rest later as burrito filling. Also, it's Andy, not Alex, Schleck. Oops...
I know. Stuff going on, man. Class prep, Tour de France, and using the laptop as a DVD player have cut severely into my blogging time.
Sadly, Lance Armstrong got his ass handed to him on Sunday. But I hold out hope for Levi Leipheimer, maybe Cadel Evans. Actually anyone but that dick Alberto Contador. Because you guys sooo care about the Tour de France. Anyway...
Also on Sunday I decided to try a certifiably snooty-sounding late breakfast: black bean frittata. Well, actually I decided that on Saturday night, which is good because dry beans have to soak.
Black Bean Frittata
What I used:
- 1/2 cup dry black beans
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- About 1/3 cup each onion and bell pepper
- About 1/4 cup tomato
- 4 eggs
- Splash of milk
- Tasty herbs and spices (I know I used marjoram, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.)
- Handful of mozzarella
Yuck
Next I give them a good rinse right in the pot.
Still feeling for rocks, by the way
Then pour off the rinse water.
Also still checking for broken beans
Now the beans go back in the pot with 2 cups of cold water. I stuck a lid on there and left it to soak overnight.
First thing Sunday morning, I did another quick rinse and sort, before adding a fresh 2 cups of water. Then the pot went on the stove with its lid tilted. I simmered the beans over low heat for about 2 hours. Now you see what makes this a lovely brunch, but a lousy breakfast. That is, unless you pre-cook the beans or (gasp) just open a can.
The picture with the lid was useless.
Fast forward through a couple of hours of Tour de France coverage. Now, I know the ingredients gave actual measurements for these veggies, but I have to admit that was pretty much a guess. "What was left in the fridge" sounded super lame, despite its truth. How about...
...this much?
I poured a generous amount of olive oil into an enameled iron skillet. Then I let it get hot enough for a sprinkle of black pepper to sizzle.
Possibly the best trick I ever learned
Meanwhile I combined the eggs, milk, and spices. Basically it's just like mixing up scrambled eggs, except for the addition of the garlic powder and marjoram. Into the skillet went the onion and green pepper.
Just the lightest sautee
Next went the tomatoes and about half* of the black beans.
Don't waste time here, lest the tomatoes turn to goop.
As soon all those ingredients were stirred together good, I poured in the egg mixture.
Okay, this bit isn't tricky, but kinda hard to describe (and a nightmare to photograph). Basically, once the outside edges of the egg get solid, you want to carefully run your spatula between the egg and the skillet. Then gently pull the solid egg away from the edge, and let the liquid part from the middle run down in there.
The best of probably 15 pictures
Making frittata is basically repeating this step over and over. I stopped when the most dramatic pan-tilting no longer produced any eggy runoff.
Almost done!
Next, I sprinkled on a generous helping of mozzarella, and some parsley to make it pretty.
In hindsight, I shoulda used basil.
Here's why I love that enameled cast iron. It's small across, but deep, which is perfect for this recipe. It has a nonstick coating inside, but not a wussy one like T-Fal or whatever. You can even use metal utensils in it! Most important, it's safe to put in the toaster oven.
Rapidly becoming my new BFF in the kitchen
It just takes two or three minutes to melt the cheese. And then?
Mmmm... melty...
I cut it into quarters and served it with some crazy farmer's market bread Doug picked out.
So this bread? Had seeds in it! I felt so betrayed.
But who was I kidding with that one-egg portion? I went back for seconds without a second thought.
One important note: I meant what I said above about using basil. I mean, this was yummy and all, but my mouth could just imagine a little extra, awesome kick. Sadly, I'm not convinced Doug was as impressed as I had hoped he'd be. Next time, if there is a next time, basil is in.
I am sad to report, by the time I finished typing this, Cadel Evans cracked on the slopes of the Alps, falling out of contention in the Tour de France. Gonna have to put my money on
*Edited July 17: My husband read this post, and called me out on two bonehead mistakes. I only used about half the cooked beans in our frittata. We had the rest later as burrito filling. Also, it's Andy, not Alex, Schleck. Oops...
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