Vegetable and Bacon Frittata

If raiding your fridge and bringing a meal together easily is your kind of thing, then a frittata is just what the home chef ordered.  I’ve always appreciated the easy touch and elegant finish that goes into making this Italian variation on an omelette.  

And while deciding what to make this past Sunday—that would match the ingredients I had on had (yes, I raided my fridge for this) and also yield a healthy, delectable bite—a frittata seemed to be the perfect fit.  Reminiscent of a crust-less quiche (or mini quiches), it is adaptable to whatever you want to toss into the skillet.

From a prep perspective, I cooked my turkey bacon and sautéed my vegetables before pouring in my cheese and egg mixture.  From there it was off to the oven to bake and set-up into a beautiful, golden finish.  And whether you’re indulging for breakfast, brunch, or anytime, it’s a superb dish to serve when feeding a crowd or a party of one.  Bonus? If you find yourself with leftovers, the individual slices make for the best ready-made breakfast in the days that follow.  

So now that I’ve hopefully piqued your desire to bring this dish to life (or a variation matching what you have on hand), let’s get on with what’s most important….

Happy Eating!

Vegetable and Bacon Frittata

Ingredients:

9 large eggs

3 scallions

1 sweet bell pepper

1 Chile pepper

5-6 strips of turkey bacon (cooked)

1 tbs. Olive oil

4 oz. Shredded cheese

1/4 cup milk

Cherry tomatoes, halved

A bunch (a couple of handfuls or so) of raw kale greens

Italian parsley, finely chopped

Parmigiano Reggiano

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Set aside.

Add oil to an oven-safe skillet and heat over medium-high heat (cast iron recommended, if pre-seasoned or enameled). Add in scallions, bell pepper, and Chile pepper and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.  Add in the cherry tomatoes, kale and bacon and continue sautéing for another 2-3 minutes.  Pour in the egg mixture and place skillet in the pre-heated oven.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the top is set and golden-ish in color.  Remove from the oven (remember to use oven mitts!) and garnish with parsley and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve and enjoy!

Atlanta and Company x How To Eat Your Favorite Foods!

One of my earliest memories of being held accountable for proper table and dining etiquette dates back to the ripe young age of nine and my fabulous (and greatly beloved) fourth grade teacher.  In between managing our homeroom, being hands-on with her students, and silencing the childish noise in French (yes, French), she made valuable use of our lunch periods by making social graces a priority.  That, coupled with ongoing reinforcements on the home front, left me especially fond of etiquette in its many varieties all these years later.

And so, several years ago, I created my How To Eat series here on DMRFF to share quick and fun dining tutorials for some of our best beloved foods.  The results?  Better dining finesse (a.k.a. confidence) and a higher etiquette I.Q.

And then the most wonderful thing happened...(drum roll, please) and last week I appeared on the long-standing and uber popular daytime show, Atlanta and Company, sharing some of my How To Eat wisdom on pasta, bacon and bread and butter.  (Can you say, awesome?!)

In case you missed it, you can watch me here.  And be sure to check the archives for even more foods in this fun series!

Happy Eating!

Maple and Black Pepper Glazed Bacon

So everything's better with bacon?  Well, if that's really the truth (and it is), then what do you say for MAPLE AND BLACK PEPPER glazed bacon?!  I'll let you happily ponder that for a moment...and while you're at, go ahead and grab a baking pan and rack, the star ingredient, some maple syrup, and freshly ground black pepper--and get ready to indulge in the perfect bite (read: sweet-salty-spicy-all-in-one).  

I don't do (pork) bacon very often, admittedly, but when looking to bring an extra special touch to the table, this recipe is worth the extra indulgence.  Pair with pancakes, or any of your favorite breakfast and brunch bites--or even serve as an indulgent appetizer course for "can't get enough" noshing.  

No matter how you slice serve it, it's guaranteed to please and evoke...Happy Eating!

Maple and Black Pepper Glazed Bacon

Ingredients: 
1/2 lb. thick cut bacon
Maple Syrup
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place a baking rack over a baking pan and place bacon on rack in a single layer.  Roast bacon in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until it begins to crisp. 

Remove pan from oven and brush bacon on each side with the syrup and sprinkle with pepper.  Return pan to oven and continue to roast for another 3-5 minutes until crisped through.  Remove from oven and serve immediately.  Enjoy!

(Cook's Note: If you don't have a baking rack, place bacon on a baking pan in a single layer.  Before adding the syrup and pepper, remove bacon and drain the excess fat from the pan.  Also allow bacon to drain on paper towels for a couple of minutes before serving to blot any additional fat.)

   

HOW TO EAT: Bacon

It's been a while since we shared our last "how to eat" installment, so I'm excited to bring another favorite to the dining and etiquette table.  

Everything is better with bacon, the saying goes.  And if that's your motto, then this latest tutorial is just for you.  Bacon is one edible that effortlessly finds its way into almost any meal--whether we're talking breakfast, lunch, dinner or even dessert, on occasion.  The smoky and somewhat salty bite adds its undeniable signature to everything from salads to burgers to seafood (think bacon-wrapped scallops) to popcorn and much more.  

So here's to that delectable bite...and to Happy Eating!

Eating Bacon
Eat with a fork and knife.  Only very crisp bacon may be eaten with your fingers.
Photo Credit

Maple Bacon Popcorn

If you're looking for an over-the-top twist to your popcorn revelry, then this recipe for Maple Bacon Popcorn may be just the ticket. I'd likely opt out on the bacon, but the pecan and maple combination is still enough to make it special in my book. In any case, have it your way--with or without bacon, substituting or adding nuts, tossing in extra spice--or whatever suits your tastes! 

I never need an excuse to enjoy this delicious, versatile snack, but in case you do, Happy National Popcorn Day! 

And Happy Eating! 

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Dawn on Pinterest