Any Kitchen Will Do

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Archive for the category “baked”

16 Jan 2016

Fourth Blogiversary Escargot

escargotEscargot. A name for slimy little things thought to be elite delicacies since ancient times. I am not necessarily a judge of elite delicacies, but I do know about what I consider nostalgic foods that may also be considered elite and delicate. The first time I learned of the existence of escargot was an anniversary dinner held by my parents when I was a kid. What I remember from back them was pretty little sea shells bubbling with butter. I soon found out there were also snails, garlic and salt in the shells. Using some funky tongs and little forks, the snails slid out, then mom and dad dropped them in their mouths and they smiled. I know that part of that smile was remembering doing the same thing in France many years prior, but they were also enjoying the here and now–the simple flavors of butter and garlic covering a common gastropoda.

It is almost hard for me to call this a recipe, but one thing I like to do on this blog is to include some basic recipes that help appreciate the common and slightly less common. Along with the plethora of quick and easy chicken and pork chop recipes I like sharing other more delicate items, like lobster, scallops and fondue.

Escargot is fun and delicious. My family downed six dozen snails over the holidays while we laughed, cried and told stories. They brought back memories because they were shared before. Little B tried one, but honestly could not down it. I think it was because it was too similar to a mushroom, which is currently a hated element. Maybe it was too garlicy or salty. Maybe we were too excited about her trying it. I don’t know and probably never will. It does not matter. What matters is that next time she is presented with escargot I hope that she smiles, remembering the first time she tried it, regardless of whether or not she sticks another snail in her mouth. Memories count. A lot.

This is the fourth anniversary of this blog. There have been an amazing number of things that have happened, both personally and professionally during the past four years. What I can say, at this point in time, is that I am excited and emboldened by where I am in my life right now.

It is scary to start a business, especially for me. As a lifelong introvert it is impossible for me to explain to you what I feel when stepping forward with my love and passion to total strangers and the general public. It is a strange and wonderful experience as time passes and the reactions of other people are experienced and evolve.

It all started with this blog in a small Texas town and is now a business with a passionate family behind it. Thank you to family and friends who have been there the whole time, and to the new friends who are becoming a lovely reality in the now. Life could not be better.

Fourth Blogiversary Escargot

Six dozen snails, canned
Three to six dozen snail shells, boiled and drained
1 pound salted sweet cream butter, room temperature
8 finely chopped garlic cloves
3 Tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1 Tablespoon brandy
Sea salt to taste

Combine butter, garlic, shallots, brandy and some salt. Stir until well combined. Let rest at least one hour before cooking snails, leaving it at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

For each shell drop approximately one teaspoon of butter mixture into a shell, press the snail in, small side down, until resistance is felt. Add more butter on top. Place filled shell on baking dish so large opening is facing up. If an escargot plate is not used, then rely on a medium iron skillet, making sure shells sit in skillet snugly so they cannot roll over during baking process. Repeat until all shells are filled. Place dish in oven for 10–15 minutes, until butter is bubbly while garlic and shallot bits begin to brown.

Remove dish from oven and serve immediately. Fully utilize butter sauce by dipping with power bread, foccacia or other absorbent, wonderfully consumable element.

Posted in baked, garlic, Irving Kitchen, wheat free | Leave a Comment
13 Jan 2016

Foccacia

Foccacia

Over the holidays I had a slew of opportunities to feed grain eaters and prove to them that grains are not necessary to enjoy celebratory meals. A couple of guest left after their visit, happy with the discovery that they not only enjoyed their eating experiences, but they in fact lost instead of gained weight during their visit. Win!

One way we were able to accomplish such a feat was adapting some of our recipes to meet celebratory needs. One need was to have a flatbread that easily soaked up sauces and juices, allowing guests to enjoy the tradition of dipping and revelling in soupy leftovers.

FoccaciawholeThis foccacia was an easy transition from our traditional Power Bread and fun to make! Instead of ensuring the dough was properly packed in a loaf pan I was able to mold it without edges and create exactly what we needed for our celebration. I am still enjoying the new memories made over the holidays and hope you can make some of your own with some of our grain free creations.

Foccacia

1 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup golden flaxseed meal
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
9 eggs, room temperature
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup melted lard, butter or extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly chopped basil
1/4 cup freshly chopped oregano
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare shallow baking pan by lining with aluminum foil.

In a large mixing bowl combine coconut flour, golden flaxseed meal, salt, baking soda, garlic, parsley, basil and oregano, then stir until well blended.

In a separate bowl combine eggs and apple cider vinegar. Whisk together until egg whites and yolks are well combined. Add lard/butter to eggs and continue whisking. Add immediately to bowl of dry ingredients.

Place dough in the middle of prepared baking pan. Gently spread dough towards the edges of the pan, making a rectangular shape that is 1/2 inch or less in thickness. Press edges towards the middle, ensuring that they are firmly shaped.

Using your hands gently spread the olive oil over the top and edges of the shaped dough. Sprinkle generously with sea salt. Place in preheated oven on the middle shelf. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, until middle is cooked and top of bread is evenly brown.

Remove from oven and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Slice bread into approximately 12-15 squares. Serve immediately or reheat before serving later. Store chilled in airtight container.

Posted in baked, bread, coconut flour, eggs, flaxseed, garlic, Irving Kitchen, parsley, wheat free | Leave a Comment
01 Jan 2016

Spicy Stuffed Tomatoes

spicystuffedtomatoes

There must have been a bumper crop of tomatoes somewhere nearby, because there were tons of big, beautiful ‘maters in the local produce section at the store this week! We often have fresh tomatoes in our kitchen and chop them up raw as a quick side dish, but I decided this time to stuff them and bake them. The cooler weather leads me towards warm food. You can never have too many variations on vegetable dishes, can you?

I used to make these with oatmeal as filler, but since using it would conflict with our current habit of eating grain free, I replace it by adding more veggies and sausage. Worked out great!

As the new calendar year begins and the holiday activity wanes I ponder what is to come during the next twelve months. Last year Big D and I both shifted the work we do to bring in money, and shifted where we live. Prospects look bright for our efforts to follow our passions, with starting a new business and writing new books. This year is starting on very bright notes, we are working hard and loving it, while also finding opportunities to spend more time with family and friends. I hope you all start the year with positive outlooks, for the perspective you take will most definitely influence where you go in life. Why not do it positively. You will be amazed where you will go with it!

Spicy Stuffed Tomatoes

8 ripe tomatoes
1/2 medium onion
1/2 green bell pepper
4 ounces white button mushrooms
2 links hot Italian sausage, cooked and roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce (suggest Tabasco Smoked Chipotle Sauce)
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Cut off top portion of each tomato, making a flat top. Scrape out seeds and meat core from inside of tomato. Turn tomatoes cut side down on a towel to allow extra juice to run out. Finely chop mushrooms, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Heat oil in a medium sauté pan over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion into pan and cook about three minutes, until onions begin to sweat. Add bell pepper and mushrooms, cooking another five minutes until onions begin to brown and mushrooms release their liquid. Add cayenne pepper powder, salt, black pepper and hot sauce. Stir and simmer on low for five more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Flip over tomatoes so cut side is up. Sprinkle the inside of each with sea salt and ground black pepper to taste. Drop sausage into the bottom of each tomato, dividing it evenly among the eight tomatoes. Spoon sautéed mixture into each tomato, dividing it equally among the eight tomatoes as well.

Place stuffed tomatoes in a baking dish that allows them to fit snugly, so as to support each other while cooking. Dish size can vary due to size of tomatoes, but 9×9 inch should work. Spoon 1/8 cup mozzarella cheese on the top of each tomato, pressing it down firmly so it stays on top of each. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of each tomato. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until cheese browns and tomato skin wrinkles and begins to crack. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Posted in baked, cheese, garlic, Irving Kitchen, onion, parsley, tomato, vegetables, wheat free | Leave a Comment
13 Dec 2015

Pumpkin Custard

pumpkincustardStill looking for a way to use up the last of the pumpkin from your holiday cooking? From my big jar of pumpkin I have so far made a pie, muffins and pumpkin spice syrup, then finished off the supply with this simple custard. It was a reeeaaalllly big jar!

Speaking of jarred pumpkin…no, I don’t make my own. I used to, but it was much more labor intensive than I wanted to deal with. By the time I bake it and smooth out all the stringiness I am tired of dealing with the stuff. I am hooked on using already smooth and prepared pumpkin (which often is not purely pumpkin, but includes other types of squash that are less stringy). I use very few prepared ingredients when I cook, but some I do rely on consistently. Besides pumpkin, I rely on prepared tomatoes and tomato sauces, as well as artichoke hearts. I will leave the time and effort needed to prepare them to other people. That way I can focus on making other stuff and doing funner things.

Although often for dessert, a custard like this is high in protein and goes great as breakfast too!

I was also feeling a bit nostalgic when making this. Four years ago today my dad died. He loved pumpkin pie. He had big slices whenever it was available. A few weeks before he died we brought family and friends together at his rehabilitation center for a pie party. He was stuck in the center for the holidays, so we brought a celebration to him! We filled up the dining room with people and pies he loved. It was probably the last time he had pumpkin pie. I think of him every time I make this, or pie in general. Bittersweet and comforting at the same time. I love and miss you dad!

Pumpkin Custard

1 cup pumpkin purée
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 large eggs
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground clove
2 Tbsp Stevita
Whipping cream to serve (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs and whipping cream. Add pumpkin purée, cinnamon, ginger, salt, clove and Stevita, whisking well to incorporate all the ingredients. Divide the custard evenly between three 1-cup ramekins.

Place ramekins, evenly spaced, in a 9×13 baking dish. Fill dish with water so ramekins are submerged half way up. Place dish in preheated oven on the middle rack. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until center of all custards is firm. Serve, topped with whipped cream, immediately or chill and serve cold.

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make more individual servings.

Posted in baked, cinnamon, eggs, Irving Kitchen, pumpkin, wheat free | Leave a Comment
08 Dec 2015

Yummy Pork Chops

yummyporkchopsThe name of these chops is not my fault. I asked Big D what he would call them and he came up with Yummy Pork Chops. Yes, he is a writer, I swear. Go figure. Anyway, they were easy, very yummy and I will be making them again. I came up with this recipe as a result of thinking about some spicy chipotle chops I made a while back, and spontaneous grocery shopping.

I go to the store once a week, with the hope that additional trips will be unnecessary. I do pretty good on that score most weeks. I also go with a pretty flexible list. I know there will be replacement of standard condiments we have run out of, as well staples like fruits, vegetables, protein and cheese. Beyond that I rely on prices for the most part. Is chicken or pork on sale? Is the deli sliced ham or beef cheaper this week? Is the cabbage or cauliflower cheaper? You get the idea. Sometimes I do have specific dishes in mind, but usually it is a matter of having a stocked fridge and freezer. This week the pork chops won the price battle, so here is the lovely result of living not so large at the store!

Yummy Pork Chops

4 – 6 thin pork chops
1 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp horseradish mustard (or 1 Tbsp yellow mustard and 1 Tbsp prepared horseradish)
1 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp garlic powder
3 Tbsp dehydrated onion
3 Tbsp lemon juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In medium bowl combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, salt, onion and lemon juice. Whisk together until blended.

Generously season chops with salt and pepper. Arrange chops on shallow baking sheet. Spread mayonnaise mixture over the top of all the chops. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes, until top of chops has browned. Serve immediately.

Posted in baked, garlic, Irving Kitchen, onion, pork, wheat free | Leave a Comment
23 Nov 2015

Susan’s Stuffed Chicken Breasts

susansstuffedchickenbreastsWhenever my friends have news, good or bad, I want to cook for them. For good news it is a celebration! For bad news, it is my version of giving comfort. It is born from a habit started long ago when my family. We always celebrated or mourned surrounded by our people over a table full of food. One of my oldest and dearest friends Susan came over with news recently and cooking was definitely a necessity.

She loved it when I made rolled chicken before, so I followed their fowl lead and came up with another rolled beauty. These chicken breasts came out much less dainty and heartily filled us up. Definitely appropriate for the occasion, since Susan has some ass kicking to do in the near future.

As the holiday season draws near there is a lot of feasting and fasting and celebrating. Embrace the time you have with family and friends. Embrace the time hanging out in the kitchen. Embrace the kids playing chase in the house (and the resulting broken vase). Embrace the chill while sipping coffee in the morning. Embrace the hectic days and the slow, lazy days. Embrace each other and yourself. Time passes swiftly so embrace what you have in real time. Embrace. Embrace stuffed chicken breasts because they are most awesome.

Susan’s Stuffed Chicken Breasts

2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 8-ounce can tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small bunch fresh parsley, stems removed
3 sprigs fresh oregano, stems removed
8-10 fresh basil leaves
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp sea salt
4 cups fresh spinach
2 cups (or 2 14-ounce cans) marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
12 slices thin deli ham
4 cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium sauce pot over medium heat add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and garlic. Roughly chop the parskley, oregano and basil leaves. Add all the herbs except about 2 tablespoons to the sauce. Set aside the extra herbs for the top of the dish. When the sauce begins to steam, lower heat let simmer for about 30 minutes then remove from heat.

While sauce is simmering prepare the chicken and stuffing. Finely chop the spinach and artichoke hearts. In a medium bowl combine the artichoke hearts, spinach, onion and lemon juice. Toss until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Spread a piece of wax or parchment paper on the counter, at least twice the size of a single chicken breast. Place a breast in the middle of the paper. Cover the breast with a second piece of paper. With the flat side of a tenderizer mallet (or a regular mallet covered in cling wrap), gently pound the breast, starting from the center and moving towards the edges, until it is 1/4 inch to 1/3 inch thick. Repeat with all the breasts, changing out the paper as needed. Generously season each breast on both sides with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To stuff the chicken clear a work surface. Position nearby a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of the dish. Place a single breast in front of you on your work surface lengthwise. Use two pieces of ham to cover the surface of the breast as much as possible. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of grated cheese on top of the ham. Spoon 1/6 of the spinach artichoke mixture in a row from top to bottom on one side of the breast. Starting on the side nearest the mixture begin rolling the breast,  making sure the left and right ends overlap at least once at the end of the roll. Place the roll seam down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining breasts.

Pour tomato sauce over chicken rolls, leaving 1/4 inch from the top clear of sauce so there is room for it to bubble up to the dish edges. You may have leftover sauce, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Sprinkle remaining grated cheese and chopped herbs on top of the sauce. Bake for 45 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove from oven and let sit for ten minutes before serving.

 

Posted in artichoke, baked, cheese, chicken, garlic, Mom's Kitchen, onion, parsley, tomato, vegetables, wheat free | Leave a Comment
16 Nov 2015

Spinach Artichoke Dip

spinartdippMy moms are awesome. One gave birth to me and is crazy supportive. The other I have known since I was seven, fed and housed me numerous times, then eventually became the bestest mother in law ever. They both love cooking and sometimes generously open up their kitchens to me when I visit. Sometimes I come in with a plan and bags full of groceries. Other times I dig around and see what they have for making a meal. In the past I have made pecan crusted chicken and stuffed mushrooms in my mother in law’s kitchen. Today I took over my mom’s kitchen to become dippy. Again.

Tonight we had a meatless Monday meal. It was accidental, but yummy. We usually figure out a protein and work vegetables and other stuff around it. This time we went the other direction. I made some guacamole with some gorgeous avocados and also made this lovely, cheesy spinach artichoke dip. As is often the case, I opened mom’s well stocked fridge and checked out what was in there to get inspired for dinner. I have made such a dip before, and it was lovely to see the perfect ingredients just sitting there waiting to be made into a dip – spinach, marinated artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream….It is much more mild than my jalapeño popper dip but still cheesy.

The cool thing about this dip is that it freezes easily, so the huge volume will not go to waste – after we head home my mom can store it in the freezer, then pull out leftovers and bake it up for a quick appetizer when her church or book club group comes over. This is a big recipe! It can easily be halved for a smaller dose, but I like making it for parties and pot lucks, so I share below the big version.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
28 ounces (2 cans) marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
32 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
3 Tbsp grated Parmesean cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixer bowl add all ingredients. Mix on medium speed for two minutes until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour mixture into 9×9 or larger baking dish and spread top layer evenly. Sprinkle Parmesean cheese on top. Bake for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly. If top has not browned turn on the broiler and let broil until highest points turn brown. Remove from oven and let rest for about ten minutes. Serve with vegetables or other dippable bits.

Posted in artichoke, baked, cheese, dip, garlic, Mom's Kitchen, onion, parsley, vegetables, wheat free | Leave a Comment
08 Nov 2015

Curry Peanuts

image

I love nuts. All kinds. Relying on basic roasted nuts as a staple snack can become a bit boring after a while. There is more to life than salty crunchiness. When that hint of monotony happens I like to whip up a batch with some other flavors.

I came up with these when I had a hankering for Big D’s chicken peanut curry dish. It is so pretty when he adds broccoli and spinach, along with the crunch of peanuts and the spiciness of yellow curry. The green is missing from the nuts, but the crunch and curry is definitely there!

Curry Peanut Crunch

4 cups roasted, salted peanuts
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1 Tbsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsp red chile powder
½ tsp ground clove

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl combine coconut oil and spices into a paste. Add nuts and toss until coated. Spread nuts on aluminum foil lined baking sheets, no thicker than two layers.

Bake for ten minutes, toss nuts, switch pan levels in oven if baking more than one sheet at a time. Return pans to oven and bake for an additional 5 – 10 minutes, until slightly browned. Remove from oven and let sit until completely cooled. Store in air tight container.

Posted in baked, Irving Kitchen, nuts, wheat free | Leave a Comment
29 Oct 2015

Power Bread

powerbunsFor the past year or so we have experimented with creating a simple, healthy substitute for loaf bread and buns. Some of our experiments were successful, but not quite “it.” We first discovered Bred Bread, which is delicious, but quite pricy considering the four cups of almond needed needed to make it. We also came up with some flatbread, but it is a bit fickle and not the best substitute for a bun. Our quick minute muffins do a good job, but just don’t completely do it for us when we want sliced bread.

This. This is it! We call it power bread because of how much protein and fiber you get from a slice or two. Little B has a slice with peanut butter and forgets about food for hours. This is significant because she is a six year old eating machine these days. The bread works like a sponge, filling up your stomach quickly after eating. It is also convenient to have a loaf ready in the fridge, and much less expensive to make without almond meal.

The loaf and bun versions are very popular with the customers of Grain Free Haven, with people stocking up each week at farmers markets and fairs in the Dallas area. I have been told by customers that Stevia is not the purest of ingredients for people following a Paleo diet, but the ingredient can be excluded without a significant impact. We think it works well balancing the coconut flour and flaxseed meal flavors, but it is a subtle effect and the bread is delicious either way.

I hope you make and enjoy our masterpiece! Be careful though, because one serving will fill you and a second may stuff you!

Power Bread

1 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup golden flaxseed meal
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp Stevita (granulated sweetener)
9 eggs, room temperature
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup melted lard, butter or extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine coconut flour, golden flaxseed meal, salt, baking soda and Stevita, then stir until well blended.

In a separate bowl combine eggs and apple cider vinegar. Whisk together until egg whites and yolks are well combined. Add lard/butter/oil to eggs and continue whisking. Add immediately to bowl of dry ingredients.

For one loaf: pour dough into well greased 8 x 4 loaf pan.* This is a smaller loaf, which allows for a square loaf. A larger pan can be used, but you will have more of a rectangular end result. Wet your hands and even out the top of the loaf, making sure it is level and damp. With a dinner fork lightly poke the top of the dough every inch or so. Bake a single loaf, on the center shelf (third shelf from the top) on a shallow baking sheet, for 50-55 minutes.

For 6 buns: well grease six 1-cup ramekins. Place a round of parchment paper on the bottom of each, making sure the paper does not run up the sides. Using a large ice cream scoop place two level scoops into each ramekin. Wet your hands even out the top of each bun, making sure each is level and damp. With a dinner fork lightly poke the top of the dough every inch or so. Place all six ramekins on a shallow baking dish as far apart from each other as possible. Bake buns on the center shelf (third shelf from the top) for 28-32 minutes.

*This is a smaller loaf pan than typically used with wheat-based breads. The size allows for a square loaf. A larger pan can be used, but you will have more of a rectangular end result.

Posted in baked, bread, coconut flour, eggs, flaxseed, Irving Kitchen, wheat free | Leave a Comment
09 Oct 2015

300th Sausage Herb Frittata

2015-10-09 11.23.23

One or two days a week I do Grain Free Haven baking and roasting marathons to prepare special order and market products. Markets and special orders usually need delivery or pick up on weekend days, so the marathons tend to land on Thursday or Friday. These are also days when the week’s groceries are dwindling, with bits and pieces littering the refrigerator shelves and drawers. On marathon days I like to have family cooking done early for the whole day. Busy baking days and using bits and pieces make dishes like soups and frittatas so appealing. Meats and vegetables go together so well in so many combinations, it is easy to combine them and bind with eggs or broth. They are honorable, filling dishes that help me significantly reduce possible food waste, the thought of which makes me very sad.

In the past I have made versions with salmon and a meaty version. This week Big D made some spicy breakfast sausage that had lovely flavors, but was a skidge salty. We also had some standards in the pantry, like eggs, onions and turnips, so here is what I came up with. It filled up the family all day, both hot right out of the oven in the morning and cold right out of the fridge later in the day. The skillet was empty and bellies were full. Just the way I like it.

I also just realized that this is my 300th post to this blog! It has taken me over 3 1/2 years to get here. I look back in wonder on where I started and where I am now – personally, professionally, nutritionally and emotionally it has been quite a ride. It started out as a way to record recipes so that friends, family and I could find them easily, and also record the antics of my little family. It became a journey about nutrition and food sensitivities, and helped launch a cottage food business that is helping me support said little family. I may not post as frequently now as I did when I started, but I plan on continuing to create and share our journey. Thanks for joining me and thanks to all the people that lent me their kitchens!

300th Sausage Herb Frittata

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound spicy breakfast sausage
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 large turnip, chopped
1 tsp sea salt (you may need more, depending on saltiness of sausage)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 Tbsp dried basil leaves
1 Tbsp dried oregano leaves
6 large or 7 medium eggs
2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 cup shredded co-jack cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a 10″ iron skillet* heat the oil over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic and turnip. Sauté about four minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is browning. Add sausage, stir and cook for about five minutes until sausage is heated through. While sausage is heating up break eggs into a medium bowl, along with salt, pepper, parsley, basil, oregano and cream. Whisk together until egg whites and yolks are well mixed.

Remove skillet from heat.

Pour egg mixture over contents of skillet and stir until egg mixture and sausage/vegetable mixture are well combined. Sprinkle cheese on top of the egg, sprinkling a little more parsley, basil and oregano if you like (I do).

Place skillet on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Move skillet to top rack and bake for ten more minutes. Remove from oven. The center of the frittata should be a little puffy. Let sit for about five minutes before serving – the puffiness will settle while it cools. Serve immediately.

*This frittata can be made in a oven proof baking dish if you don’t have the noted iron skillet size, just make sure it is no larger than 10″x10″ to ensure the mixture is thick enough to prevent drying out when it is baked thoroughly enough. If an iron skillet is not used, additional baking time may be needed (about 5-8 minutes), since iron skillets speed up cooking time.

Posted in baked, breakfast, cheese, eggs, garlic, Irving Kitchen, onion, parsley, Uncategorized, vegetables, wheat free | Leave a Comment

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