POTS AND PANS CITY BLOG

There seems to be a bit of discussion about what a frittata (pronounced ‘free-TAH-tah) really is.  Is it a type of quiche, or is it an omelette?  To give the first two definitions, a quiche typically is an egg dish made with cream baked in a crust, almost like a pie.  A quiche can have a variety of ingredients added into it to create many different styles and tastes. An omelette, on the other hand, is simply beaten eggs cooked with butter or oil in a frying pan with the firmed-up egg folded around various ingredients.  Typical omelette ingredients include cheese, onions, bacon, mushrooms, other vegetables, ham or other meats.

Now a frittata is an egg dish that has its origins in Italy.  It is something like an open-faced Italian omelet, but the eggs are not folded over the ingredients.  It typically starts in a skillet but is finished up being baked in the oven or put under the oven’s broiler.  The ingredients in a frittata are usually fully mixed in with the beaten eggs before the cooking starts.

Another method of making a frittata is to cook the eggs and fillings together in one pan until the bottom is set, and then invert the frittata into another pan to finish cooking the other side.  Frittatas are usually served hot, but you may find some appetizer frittatas that are served at room temperature.

Frittatas are a good meal choice for any time of the day-breakfast, lunch or dinner. Any egg dish naturally goes for breakfast, but the versatile frittata can be a good choice for lunch or dinner too.  Frittatas are even easy to transport, cut into a wedges, and taken as a snack or for a lunchtime meal.  They are a healthier alternative to take for lunch than the typical fast food restaurant fare.  For dinner a frittata meal can contain foods from all the food groups, especially when paired with some fresh Italian bread and a side salad. Some frittatas may even contain leftover pasta or potatoes to make it even more a complete meal.

Frittatas can contain any number of different ingredients.  Fresh vegetables, mushrooms, cheeses, meat, potatoes, different herbs or any combination thereof are common.  Leftover vegetables or cooked meat are also great in frittatas.  Herbs, fresh or dried, can also add a lot of flavor to a frittata, or you could use your favorite hot pepper sauce to spice it up as well.

For health conscious people, frittatas can also be made with egg substitutes.  Using egg substitutes (that you can find in any grocery store) could be a good way for you to enjoy the great taste of a frittata while still watching your cholesterol intake.  You could also make a frittata just using egg whites.  In that case, just use a pinch of turmeric to add a bit of color and a little bit of extra spices to add to the taste.

When cooking a frittata, it is wise to use a non-stick frying pan or skillet.  In that way, you do not have to use any cooking oil or butter so the eggs don’t stick to the pan.  Your frittata will slide right out of the pan easily.  Using a skillet that will go from stovetop to your oven is also advisable.

Many people enjoy the great taste of a frittata.  They are easy to make and are healthy too.  The flavor combinations that you can create in a frittata are only limited by your imagination.  Various herbs, vegetables, spices, meats, and cheeses provide a basis for your culinary talents to expand when making a frittata.  Try one on your family today.  They won’t be disappointed by your efforts.