Frittata

Frittata

The other day I was thinking about Charlie’s Frog Pond in Rochester NY located on Park Ave.

 Years ago while attending and working at RIT it became a favorite hang out for the artistic contingent from the school.

 I was not part of the artistic contingent but most of my friends back then were. 

I was accepted as part of the group because I often posed for many of the artists. It had nothing to do with how I looked it had to do with my eyes. The local artists loved my eyes so why not pose for them?

 I always ended up with copies of their work to decorated my apartment and who could ask for more than that when you are just a poor college student and when a struggling artist could only pay in art ?

Back then when my friends and I visited Charley's Frog Pond for an afternoon meal my favorite thing to order besides the Caesar Salad was their Frittata.

I was a college student so as much as I enjoyed these rare occasions when I could enjoy one of these meals I often settled for tea or coffee when I visited this restaurant and learned how to make this delicious meal for myself and my friends to enjoy at home at a cost we could afford  to pay. 

Over the years I have made this meal many times and today decided to make it again for my breakfast and will later have the second half for dinner with a side salad.

I knew I wanted to make Frittata the other day but I wanted to make it more calorie friendly and as healthy as possible.  I was not sure how I would do it until I went shopping and I picked up some Chicken sausage at the grocery store that was described as low in fat and calories and a good alternative to Italian sausage. 

That was when the idea of how I would make this version of Frittata started to take shape.

So today I made the frittata with chicken sausage and egg whites to keep it low in fat and calories and of course more health friendly. 

I was surprised how good it was when it was ready to eat. Even better I  was surprised that it did not feel like I was eating something good for me it just seemed like a different version of one of my favorite meals. 

I will give you the recipe for both the classic and the lighter version of this dish.

Naturally if you asked me I would have to say I prefer the fat and calorie rich version over the lighter version but since I decided that I want to eat better and maybe loose a few pounds this was a very good and tasty alternative.

Let’s start with the recipe for what I made today.

Lighter Version of Frittata

Ingredients:

· 2 egg whites

· 1 whole egg

· 1 chicken sausage link, chopped

· 1 Yukon gold potato chopped 

· 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

· 1/2 yellow onion, chopped

· 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

· Nonstick cooking spray

· 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix the egg whites and whole egg with sour cream salt and pepper using a wire whisk until foamy. In a large nonstick round pan sprayed with olive oil,( it can be bought in the same isle as Pam)  then put the  chicken sausage, potato, pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in it.

Pour egg mixture over it. 

Bake until centers are just set, 15 to 20 minutes. 

We like this egg dish best warm. Since it can be entirely 

 Remove the frittata from the oven and flip onto a large plate. 

Traditional Version of Frittata

Ingredients:

1 sm.  Onion

1 green pepper

1 potato

Shredded Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese, (about a handful)

1 link Italian sausage

3 eggs

1/3 c. sour cream

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cut onion potato and green pepper into thin slices. 

Put sausage in a frying pan spayed with olive oil.

Cover and simmer 5 minutes over medium heat the uncover and continue cooking until sausage are well browned. 

While the sausage is uncovered add the vegetables and cook over medium-low heat until soft the vegetables are soft. 

 Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

Butter around baking pans. 

Meanwhile whisk together eggs, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheese.  Add the sausage and vegetables to buttered pan and pour egg mixture over it. Bake until centers are just set, 15 to 20 minutes.

This is a very satisfying meal and a great one to prepare for company but if it’s just you tonight make your favorite side salad  and pour yourself a glass of win and enjoy this wonderful meal You deserve it don't you? I think your do.