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09.1.13 Breakfast

New Series | Base Recipe: Frittata

In the upcoming weeks, you may notice some changes (big and small) around the site. I’m making it easier to find recipes, updating the resource sections to include a bit more information, and cleaning up the site so that it’s easy to use across devices. During this process, I’m also introducing a few new series/features in hopes to further inspire you in the kitchen.

The first of these new series in one I’m calling Base Recipes. I share a wide variety of recipes on this site but one of the most useful things I’ve learned is to have a pocket full of recipes that I can continue to adapt. These recipes are great for eating seasonally and for not wasting food. These base recipes are the building blocks for 95% of my meals. My goal with these post is to not only give you the recipe but also give you ideas, both with ingredients and with other recipes from around the internet. These are meals that fresh farmers’ market produce gets used in and also the meals that aid in cleaning out the refrigerator.

Frittata ideas + recipes

Since it’s a long weekend, I thought it appropriate to share my favorite brunch/light dinner recipe. A frittata is a great, gluten-free base recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to assemble. Frittatas are often our go-to weekend breakfast and our occasional go-to dinner. Frittata combinations are endless which makes this a key base recipe to have.

Ideas for ingredient choices:

Herbs and Spices:
Whisked into eggs:
Rosemary
Parsley
Thyme
Cilantro
Dill
Fennel
Basil
Oregano

Cooked with Vegetables:
Curry Powder
Cumin
Smoked Paprika

 

Vegetables:
Added in Raw:
Tomatoes
Peas
Zucchini
Green Onions

Cooked before (in skillet or roasted):
Onions
Garlic
Peppers
Sweet Potatoes
Beets
Winter Squash
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts
Fennel (the bulb)
Eggplant
Mushrooms

Greens:
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Kale
Arugula
Beet Greens

(I usually wilt these for 1 minute before pouring egg mixture into the skillet)

Cheeses:
Blue
Goat
Feta
Mozarrella
Cheddar
Parmesan
Gouda
Havarti

*I also will toss in leftover cooked grains such as millet, quinoa, sorghum, brown rice, wheat berries, kamut, etc. These grains help add a slightly chewy and heartier texture.

Frittata ideas + recipes

Play the mix and match game with favorite flavors from the lists or use these recipes for inspiration:

  • Kale and Artichoke Frittata from A Couple Cooks
  • Baby Spinach Frittata with Sweet Potato Hash Crust from Cookie and Kate
  • Campfire Frittata from The Year in Food
  • Leek and Spinach Frittata from Sprouted Kitchen
  • Kale Frittata with Millet Crust from Edible Perspective
  • Roasted Tomato and Zucchini Frittata from Foodie Crush
  • Zucchini,Pea, and Mint Frittata from Food on Paper
  • Kale Frittata from The Fauxmartha 
  • Mushroom and Scallion Frittata from Martha Stewart 
  • Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta Frittata from Food and Wine
  • Onion Frittata from Bon Appétit

From the NE archives:

Roasted Beet and Blue Cheese Frittata

Roasted Asparagus, Green Onion, and Blue Cheese Frittata

Tomato, Herb, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Frittata with Arugula Salad

(Frittata from today’s images: Sautéed onion, Rosemary, Oregano, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, and Harvarti Cheese)
Frittata ideas + recipes

Base Recipe: There are many different ways to cook a frittata and the egg/milk ratio can also differ. This is the recipe I stick with because it creates a light and fluffy final product. Of course, feel free to play around!

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New Series | Base Recipes: Frittata

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Erin Alderson
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Brunch/Dinner
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400˚.
  2. If sautéing vegetables, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an 10″ cast iron (or other oven-safe) skillet over medium-low and cook vegetables. If not sautéing vegetables, heat olive oil alone.
  3. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour into skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until bottom is set. Sprinkle of fresh vegetables and cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes until puffed up, doesn’t jiggle, and is slightly browning. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

*Often I’ll make this recipe for 2 people by cutting the recipe down to 4 eggs and 1/4 cup milk. Adjust the cooking time down to 8-10 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @naturallyella on Instagram and hashtag it #naturallyella

 

Categories: Breakfast

Previous Post: « Stuffed Hatch Chiles with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt
Next Post: Cardamom Hazelnut Granola »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    September 01, 2013 at 13:27 pm

    I love this series Erin! Frittatas are so delicious any time of day!

    Reply
  2. Shanna says

    September 01, 2013 at 15:39 pm

    I feel like one of the biggest secrets of established cooks is understanding ideas like this. You’re awesome to share your base recipes, and I’m looking forward to reading more!

    Reply
  3. HalfBakedHarvest says

    September 01, 2013 at 19:05 pm

    What an awesome idea. Base recipes are such a valuable thing for for everyone to have. THey can be so fun to adapt and like you they are my go to recipes!! So excited for this series and all the fun changes you have planned!

    Reply
  4. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    September 01, 2013 at 21:01 pm

    I really love this idea as it’s so up to what I have on hand, what I like… I love being able to customize! Fantastic.. can’t wait for more!

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    September 01, 2013 at 21:07 pm

    Great Post! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Joanne (eats well with others) says

    September 02, 2013 at 05:51 am

    I find fritattas to be a perfect way to get in some veg protein and simultaneously use up all the produce in your fridge! I need to try your base recipe since I’m not sure that i’ve found one that I truly LOVE.

    Reply
  7. Tammela says

    September 02, 2013 at 06:05 am

    Love the series idea. I also find myself using base recipes or techniques and experimenting with different ingredients and such.

    Reply
  8. [email protected] FoodFitnessFreshAir.com says

    September 02, 2013 at 08:59 am

    I’ve been finding myself cooking a lot more like this lately, using base recipes and incorporating fresh produce, and ignoring blogging for a bit. It’s felt great, and reminds me that improvisational cooking is often the most enjoyable. I love that you’re doing a series spin off on this. Great start with eggs — always a wonderful base for summer veggies!

    Reply
  9. Natasha says

    September 02, 2013 at 09:12 am

    I love this series already! What a great idea. And frittatas are one of my faves, although I don’t make them enough. Looking forward to the next one!

    Reply
  10. Aimee says

    September 02, 2013 at 16:40 pm

    Oh this is super smart for new cooks. We adore frittatas, especially this time of the year when the garden herbs are lush and we have plenty of our own eggs.

    Reply
  11. megan says

    September 03, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    As someone who doesn’t know the first thing about cooking, I would LOVE a base recipes series!

    Reply
  12. Stuart Alderson says

    September 04, 2013 at 17:59 pm

    Base Frittata, sounds more like a joint military exercise, or a code for the CIA. Congrats on the idea of this being noticed by someone up the food chain……

    Reply
  13. Abby says

    September 05, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    Super helpful to have a “base” series. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. [email protected] Blonde says

    September 05, 2013 at 21:40 pm

    So useful! Thanks for sharing this! I love this idea for basics that you can add on to.

    Reply
  15. anna maria says

    September 10, 2013 at 19:10 pm

    Great Post! I need to make more frittatas, such a great way to use up what’s left in the fridge 🙂 When you decrease the recipe by 1/2 do you also change the pan you’re using or is it just a thinner frittata that cooks faster? Thanks!

    Reply
    • elalderson says

      September 19, 2013 at 09:30 am

      I tend to stick with the 8″ skillet and watch the cooking time just a bit more (usually start checking after 5 minutes!)

      Reply
  16. Jennifer Paine says

    September 23, 2013 at 16:57 pm

    I made a pea, mushroom, zucchini, grated carrot, goat cheese, green onion, spinach and kale frittata today for lunch. Basically everything in my refrigerator. Delicious! Thank you. I love your blog.

    Reply
  17. Bee says

    November 10, 2013 at 13:23 pm

    What a great series! I often make frittatas they are my go to meal 🙂

    Reply
  18. Jill says

    October 10, 2014 at 13:17 pm

    This was so helpful. I totally made this with the random veggies in my fridge and it was delicious. I even subbed the milk for coconut milk because my husband is eliminating dairy from his diet. I would love to see more of these base recipes.

    Reply
  19. Heather @ Simple Fresh Natural says

    January 08, 2015 at 17:36 pm

    Thank you so much for this frittata recipe!! I wanted to cook up a frittata this weekend with kale and peppers but needed to find the base recipe for a frittata since I haven’t made many. This was exactly what I was looking for! I can’t wait to check out some of the other base recipes in the series. That is a wonderful idea to give people the base and then the option to play around with additions they will love.

    Reply
  20. Bri says

    January 19, 2015 at 07:21 am

    please do more base recipes! 🙂 this was so helpful and your website is super inspirational for my cooking!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  21. Julia says

    August 10, 2020 at 00:36 am

    This is awesome 👌 thank you ❤️ the ease of the basics!!!
    Keep up the good work.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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