Thanksgiving Frittata (Bacon, Red Pepper, Spinach and Black Olive)

December 3, 2012 in Breakfast

My oldest daughter and I had the flu this Thanksgiving.  I did not have the energy to cook and both of us were still on thin ice when it came to solid food.  I ended up whipping up this frittata for the three healthy members of the household (my mother-in-law who was visiting, my husband, and my youngest daughter) and it was a hit!  It was also beautiful, with colors that make me think this would be a delightful Christmas morning breakfast or brunch.  We also laughed because my daughter’s class learned the Albuquerque The Turkey song for their Thanksgiving Feast at school and the punchline of the song is that they ate scrambled eggs for Thanksgiving dinner instead of turkey (because Albuquerque is such a great pet).  We weren’t that far off!

I have taken to keeping my freezer well stocked with US Wellness Meats sugar-free nitrate/nitrite-free uncured pastured pork bacon.  This bacon is so ridiculously flavorful and, because it’s pastured and uncured, it’s very healthy!  It’s also very handy for food emergencies.

Ingredients:

  • ½ medium yellow onion (or 1 small onion), finely diced
  • 1 ½ cups red bell pepper, diced (about 1 large pepper)
  • 4 cups chopped fresh spinach
  • 6oz bacon (about 6-7 thick slices)
  • 1 cup sliced black olives(equivalent to a 3.8oz-can)
  • 8 eggs, beaten

 

  1. Heat an oven proof skillet (I like to use my 12” cast iron frying pan) over medium high heat and turn on broiler (on high) to preheat oven.
  2. Cut bacon into small pieces (I like to use scissors for this job).  Add bacon and onion to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and onion is fully cooked and caramlized (8-10 minutes).
  3. Add pepper and olives to pan and sauté, stirring occasionally, until pepper is cooked (4-5 minutes).  Add spinach and stir to wilt, about 1 minute.
  4. Add beaten eggs.  Let cook on stove top 1-2 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
  5. Place skillet in oven and broil until eggs are completely cooked, puffed up and starting to brown on top (about 7-10 minutes, varies oven to oven so watch carefully).
  6. Serve and enjoy!

 

TPM Tidbit: My Favorite Sides for Bunless Burgers

July 23, 2012 in Side Dishes, TPM Tidbits, Veggies

We are quite in the habit of eating hamburgers without buns (even a paleo version like this recipe).  Our favorite side dishes are sautéed onion and mushrooms, grilled avocado, a big garden salad and watermelon!  To gill avocado, simply cut the avocado in half, remove the pit but leave in the rind.  Rub a little oil on the avocado meat so it doesn’t stick to the grill (I typically use Avocado Oilbecause when I’m grilling I tend to accept that there’s going to be some Advanced Glycation End-products formed and I’m zen with that).  Place the avocado, open side down on the grill for 5-8 minutes (depending on how hot your grill is).  Flip and grill another 3-4 minutes.  We serve right in the peel (but don’t eat the peel!).  For sautéed onion and mushrooms, I like to chop up one giant sweet yellow onion (cut in half and then slice into ¼” semi-circles) and about 2 pounds of mushrooms, sliced or quartered (this is enough for leftovers for us, serves 4-5).  I heat 2-3 Tbsp tallow in my Large Frying Pan and then add onions and mushroom slices together (you could also use Butter, lard or coconut oil).  On medium-high heat, it takes about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to caramelize the onions and for the mushrooms to just start to brown.  Yum!