"Herb and Cheese Frittata with Vegetables"

"Herb & Cheese Frittata with Veggies"

It's been a little bit of a skillet meal kick that I've been on recently, but who doesn't love the ease and variety of simple one pan dishes such as these—now let's get down to business..

Last night I decided to make me and my Baby some "Brinner"

You know, a little "Breakfast for Dinner"

What I ended up throwing together was a wonderfully yummy "Frittata"

Had to do a bit of scrounging, the cupboards were a little more bare then usual..

"Asparagus Cheese & Herb Frittata"

 

First I wanted to have some cheese to add, but lacking any beyond some Parmesan, I ended up having to make my own from scratch..

A little heavy cream, milk and lemon juice later and I had my homemade "Ricotta" draining thru some cloth..

Next I prepped some garlic, shallots, grated Parmesan, fresh herbs and grape tomatoes; along with some leftover steamed broccoli I had..

"Zucchini, Squash & Ricotta Cheese Frittata"

A little sautéing later; followed by pouring in the eggs and egg whites, then it was time to add a few dollops of fresh cheese and the seeded an halved tomatoes..

Under the broiler it went; and a few minutes later we had this wonderfully tasty and beautifully golden "Herb and Cheese Frittata" with vegetables...

I sprinkled on a pinch of pink salt and black pepper and then it was all ready to serve..

So very good with just the right amount of each ingredient and with nothing overpowering anything else..

"Definitely Delish" and definitely a dish to be had for dinner, for breakfast, or for both...


"Herb and Cheese Frittata with Vegetables"

"Herb & Cheese Frittata with Tomato"

Ingredients:
8 Eggs (Or a mix of Eggs and Egg Whites-more egg or whites may be needed depending on pan size)
Fresh Herbs—Rosemary, Thyme, etc...
Tablespoon Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
Homemade or Store bought Ricotta Cheese (Goat Cheese, Feta, Fontina, etc)
Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt
Fresh ground Black Pepper
Grape Tomatoes, halved and seeded (Other Vegetables can be used)
Broccoli or Asparagus or other Vegetable

"Zucchini, Squash & Ricotta Cheese Frittata"

 

Directions:
1. Mix eggs (plus egg whites if cutting down on whole eggs) with whisk in bowl with pinch of pink salt...
2. Turn broiler on to 500 degrees..
3. Heat Oven Proof Pan on stove on just below medium heat. (I like using an oven proof oval pan)
4. Add Coconut Oil and Sauté Vegetables with a pinch of salt and pepper till tender. (You can add some herbs at this point if desired)

"Herb & Cheese Frittata with Tomato"

 

5. Pour Eggs over top the veggies and cook on medium low, till eggs begin to set—will vary depending on size of pan, depth and whether eggs are at room temperature, check with spatula if needed. (You want them to be at least halfway cooked through or more but be careful not to burn the bottom, adjust temp if needed)
6. Add Tomatoes, a few dollops of Cheese and some of the fresh Herbs...
7. Transfer pan under broiler on middle wrack of oven; cook till nice and golden with eggs being completely set. (Careful not to burn by checking often)

 

Notes:
There are so many options and changes available that it is not even worth listing them. Suffice it to say, pick a mix of cheeses, herbs, seasonings, vegetables and go with it—experimentation and imagination is all you need for a delicious meal the entire family will love, whether its for Brinner or Dinner...

"Mexican Skillet Dinner"

"Mexican Skillet Dinner" with "Spanish Rice"

I am kind of in love with Skillet dinners lately...

They are so quick and easy to make and
you can change them up in so many different ways...

From "Frittatas" galore, to "Skillet Pizzas" and on to the recent "Oatmeal Bake"  I've concocted—I just can't get enough of them..

Now with the stress of holiday cooking, presents and parties temporarily abated till this weekends New Years revelry; what better way to simplify your evening then a "Mexican Skillet Dinner"

Skillet dinners are great because you generally only get one pan dirty, and dinner can be ready in about a half an hour..

On busy weeknights when getting dinner on the table, for me and my baby, can be a struggle you don't want to have a lot of excess clean up to do afterwards—leaves more time for snuggling watching Netflix..

So, one pan dinners can be ideal and keeping a few easily customized ones that everyone likes is nice and can make for an easy night for the cook..

                                                                                                This "Mexican Skillet Dinner" is easy to play around with; from adding or changing the beans, type of meat, additional vegetables or variety of spices..

This one here is a pretty basic recipe for everyone but remember to be imaginative and creative in your own preparation because a meal should always be made to your own tastes..

Suffice it to say, there's an unending supply of alternatives for you to try out for yourself—to start, for the other night, I added an extra pot and cooked up some brown rice and quinoa into a healthy Spanish style rice mix separately as well as used a mix of black, pinto and dark red kidney beans in the skillet..

After a little cooking, then a sprinkling of cheese—it was under the broiler for all of two minutes and then time to dig in..

Me and my Baby loved it, and I especially love that I can change it up so easily to make an entirely different meal out of it each time..

"Definitely Delish" and definitely a dish to make again and again..

"Mexican Skillet Dinner"

Ingredients:
12 ounces Chorizo or Spicy Pork Sausage (I used lean spicy turkey sausage)
1 cup frozen Corn
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced Tomatoes, un-drained
1 cup uncooked Rice
1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Lime juice
1/2 small Red Onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
1 (15 oz.) can Pinto beans, rinsed and drained (I used a mix of beans)
3/4 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheeses or Colby and Monterey Jack cheese 

Directions:
1. If present, remove casing from sausage. In a large skillet cook sausage over medium  to medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown..
2. Drain in a colander; set aside..
3. Add corn, tomatoes, uncooked rice, the water, chili powder, paprika and cumin to skillet..
4. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 to 18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender..
5. Stir in beans, onion, lime juice and cooked sausage; heat through for several minutes..
6. Sprinkle with your cheese choices; cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes or slide under the broiler until cheese is nice and melted..

Notes
1. I changed my skillet to spicy turkey sausage, as well as adding a variety of beans (Red Kidney, Pinto and Black). Also I added onion and a few flavorful ingredients to liven things up..
2. I cooked my rice separately, so drained the tomatoes and didn't add the water to skillet..
3. You can slide the skillet under a broiler for a minute or two to melt the cheese quickly and lightly brown, I've done this myself..
4. Experiment, changing up spices, beans, meats, cheeses, vegetaables to make whole different varieties of skillets—from shredded chicken to short ribs, use your imagination..
There's so much you can do with a little experimentation and imagination...