Fuel the flames with fabulous frittata

Life without eggs would be like life without sunshine. For me anyway. Eggs are one of those ingredients that can turn something as simple as a single turnip into a symphony. Only because they’re so versatile! Just google: what to make with eggs and a million ideas pop up. For me, personally, eggs Benedict is one of the most seductive breakfast foods on the planet. The tenderly poached egg white slightly parted to expose the yolk oozing out and dripping down the bright red fresh tomato. It’s enough to make me want to jump right back into bed.

In fact, eggs have been considered a sexual stimulant throughout the ages. So much so, that Casanova ate them before every love adventure. Sheikh Nafzajus, the author of “Perfume Garden” recommended eating as many eggs as possible. I think imagine what his cholesterol levels must have been like. Eggs fried in butter, in his opinion, gave “fuel” for an endless love marathon. Scientifically this is because of the great boost in testosterone that is provided by the good cholesterol that the eggs and butter provide. For a sensual dessert to get any woman in the mood, try some eggnog (egg mixed with milk, cream, honey, vanilla and nutmeg). This, and starting your day off with a few eggs, is a sure fire way to keep your sexual energy at its peak.

If however, sexual energy is not necessarily on the top of your priority list, and all you need is a quick, no-fuss, affordable meal, I would strongly suggest this fabulous frittata.

A well-made frittata is one of the world’s most perfect foods. It’s affordable, quick, and a great way in which to use last nights’ leftovers, or concoct something out of nothing, when that’s all you have in your fridge!

If you’re starting from scratch, it’s best to fully cook any addition that might release moisture into the eggs—mushrooms, tomatoes, baby marrows are some example of “wet” options, which water down your eggs. Sauté them separately. This also holds true for aromatics, such as onions or uncooked potatoes. I would suggest you add some colour though. Red peppers, basil, sundried tomatoes, olives, aubergine, etc. 

Season your eggs with salt and pepper before adding them to the pan or oven dish. And if you’re adding other ingredients to your frittata, season them separately.

One of my absolute favourite ingredient combinations include broccoli, smoked chicken and blue cheese. It's to die for!

Fabulous Frittata

INGREDIENTS

• 5 eggs
• Half an onion, sliced
• Half a green pepper, chopped
• Three small tomatoes, chopped
• One teaspoon crushed garlic
• 2 cups of ANY left overs or freshly prepared filling
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup full cream milk
• ½ cup self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Dried rosemary, some salt, and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius.

In a bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and flour and set aside.

In a large pan, stir-fry the green pepper and onion with the garlic until slightly cooked but still crunchy. Then add the tomato and continue stir-frying for about a minute.

Pour the cooked veggies into a greased ovenproof dish and sprinkle with herbs and pepper. Then add your left overs to the dish.

Pour egg mixture over and sprinkle with cheese – gently work the cheese into the egg with a fork so it doesn’t burn before the egg is cooked.

Bake until egg has cooked through (about 10-15 minutes) then grill for two minutes to brown the cheese. 

If you want to turn this into a traditional quiche, just line the base of your dish with shortcrust pastry.