Mar 18, 2012

Mini Freezer Frittatas



We have been so blessed to have friends and and church folk bring us dinner three times a week since the baby made her debut.  It has been incredibly helpful, since somedays just leaving the house to get to the grocery store seems like an insurmountable challenge.


The first time (and only time so far) we took Dell Harper to the store, I set her in her car seat in the buggy, covered her with a lightweight blanket, and hoped for the best.  It started out well, but as is the tendency in our locally owned nearby store, we ran into someone on every single aisle we knew.   I honestly do not know what I was thinking, taking her on a Sunday afternoon to B&B.  Plus they are doing some renovation, so it was loud and tight quarters.  To compound matters further, my addled brain miscounted the hours since her last feeding, so instead of having 30 minutes to spare, her meal was 30 minutes overdue.

She started screaming her little head off by the third aisle! I was sooo flustered and embarrassed.  Hubs hustled her off, and drove around in circles while I wandered the aisles and spent a fortune and the most random food possible- none of which would make a meal.  So, the meal delivery has been delightful!

Now, I am starting to get in my groove more, and try my hand at some cooking and going to the grocery store.  One thing that is always tough is breakfast.  Between feeding her, my current state of exhasution, and constant level of HUNGER (thanks breast-feeding) I am befuddled as to what to eat.  I bought some Fiber One bars thinking that would be an excellent solution- just keep the box in the nursery and eat when she eats.

Lesson learned.  Miss Priss does not like Fiber One bars (also has an extreme aversion to raw kale and beans, especially black beans).  I have been eating cereal (Kashi GoLean, one of the few I like), but I am starving 20 minutes later.  I need eggs!


So, now that I am a bit more on my feet, I played around with something I could just pop in the microwave and pop in my mouth- voila, mini fritattas were born!


There are endless variations to the base recipe, so get creative with your vegetable, meat and cheeses.

Mini Freezer Frittatas
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb sausage (I used Italian, but bulk sausage would also be delicious)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • I dozen eggs
  • 1 lb grated extra sharp cheddar
  • I bag frozen chopped leaf spinach
  • 1 bag frozen artichoke hearts
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  •  olive oil
  •  salt and pepper
1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and spray 2 muffin tins with cooking spray. 
2.  Throw the frozen artichokes on a rimmed baking sheet, toss with a splash of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.  Roast for about 20-25 minutes.  (You can skip this step and thaw in the microwave if you like)
3.  While the chokes are roasting, sauté the chopped onion in a large skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil for a couple minutes.  Add the sausage and cook until there is no pink left and the sausage is crumbly.
4.  Thaw the entire bag of frozen spinach and drain well.  I like to press the water out with a tea towel or bunch of paper towels- get that spinach dry!
5.  Whisk together the eggs, milk, flour and baking powder until well blended.  Add 2 teaspoons of salt, and a pinch of pepper.
6.  Chop the artichokes once cool, and turn the oven down to 350 degrees.
7.  In a large bowl, mix the spinach, sausage and onion, artichokes and cheese.  If you have let it cool, then pour in your egg mixture and mix well.  (If the veggies are still warm to hot, be sure to temper your eggs)
8.  Spoon the egg mixture into the prepared muffin tin.  I used a 1/3 dry measuring cup as my scoop, and it was perfect.  This will make 24 mini frittatas, so use 2 muffin tins or do 2 batches.
9.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the eggs are set, and golden on top.
10.  Let cool.  For freezer storage, I just threw them in a big freezer ziploc, and will remove them a couple at a time for breakfasts or dinners.


These are healthy, easy and tasty.  They would be a perfect thing to bring a new mama, since they are easily eaten on the go, and can go in the freezer.  If you freeze them, just  nuke for 30-60 seconds to de-thaw and reheat.  Enjoy!

3 comments:

  1. Those are so perfect to bring to a new mama! One of my friends is having a baby soon- I might have to whip these up for her.

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  2. I keep a box of crackers on my night stand and next to my glider in the nursery. This recipe looks fantastic, I will have to try it out. I froze some quiche and muffins but never remember to pop them in the oven.

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  3. These look awesome - starring it in the old reader! Loving catching up on your blog. :)

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