Monday, July 21, 2014

Easy Egg Frittata

I actually learned this recipe at a Pampered Chef party and was amazed how fast and versatile it was.  Use any leftover veggies (mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, kale, etc.) and any breakfast protein (sausage, bacon, ham etc.) and you have a deliciously healthy breakfast in no-time! Enjoy!


  • 2 cups chopped vegetables (any kind)
  • 1/2 cup- 1 cup protein (bacon, sausage, or ham)
  • 8 eggs
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
In large skillet cook protein until done.  Drain grease and set protein aside.  In the same pan, saute vegetables until tender.  Meanwhile, whisk eggs and cheese together with salt and pepper to taste.  Mix vegetables, protein, and eggs together in microwavable bowl with a cover (such as Corningware).  Microwave for 8 minutes.

  

Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta

More Food Network recipe fun!  So easy and fresh.  Enjoy!

1 pound angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lemon, juiced, plus 1/2 lemon, zested
1/2 cup dry white wine
5 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves


Add the pasta to a large pot of boiling salted water, over medium heat, and cook until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once shimmering and hot, add the shrimp and saute until just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate and reserve. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet, then saute for until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and white wine and raise the heat to high. Let the liquid reduce for 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the butter, add a ladleful of the pasta cooking water and return the shrimp. Remove from the heat.

Drain the pasta in a colander, and add it to the skillet along with the chopped parsley and toss. Add the lemon zest and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Yes, I'm still cooking! I've been so busy with other things that I haven't had time to blog, but here I am!  This dish was so easy and delicious, and I couldn't resist using my fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden to complete this dish.  I hope you enjoy!


  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds fingerling potatoes or red skin baby potatoes
  • 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
  • 1 Italian mild green pepper, cubanelle, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow skinned onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 large cloves garlic, cracked away from skin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Coarse salt and pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Parmesan, available in tubs near deli -- make sure to get shredded cheese, not grated
  • 4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, pile leaves, roll then thinly slice -- chiffonade

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings 

may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.

Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions
, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up!

While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.

While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

From Food Network