Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Supper: Everything in the Fridge Frittata

When I was growing up, my mom would often make breakfast for Sunday supper. It is something I like to do even now. Another thing I like to do is to find a way to clean out some of the odds and ends in the fridge so they don't go to waste. This recipe accomplishes both of those things... plus it is super simple! Why not look around your fridge, see what you have, and make a frittata for supper tonight?

EVERYTHING IN THE FRIDGE FRITTATA

The basics for this dish are eggs, potatoes, and vegetables... any kind. I always throw leftover potatoes into the frittata but if you don't have leftovers, dice the potatoes, toss them with olive oil, salt and pepper and then roast them a bit to soften them before you add them to the eggs. You can toss in asparagus, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you happen to have around.

6 eggs (the number of eggs depends on the size of your skillet. I have a large 10" cast iron skillet so it requires more eggs)

2 T. olive oil

1 potato, diced

1 tomato diced or cherry tomatoes, halved 

1 onion, diced small

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup + more for the top--use any kind of cheese, grated or crumbled (I often use several different kinds to use up the little bits left in the fridge)

Bacon, pancetta, or sausage, cooked

Big pinch kosher salt and a little pinch of pepper

Preheat oven to broil

Beat the eggs until frothy. Heat up the oil in a cast iron or oven-proof skillet. Add the onion, veggies, and saute until golden brown. Add the potatoes, if you've roasted them or had leftovers. Add the eggs. Swirl the eggs around the pan to make sure it is evenly covering the veggies.

As the edges start to cook, loosen them with a spatula to disperse the liquid in the center. After the eggs start to firm, put the pan into the oven and broil 3 minutes or so until the eggs are completely set.

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Easy Entertaining: Martie's Mini Party Frittatas

I love to make frittatas. Basically, a frittata is like a big baked egg stuffed with deliciousness... and almost anything can go in a frittata. I like to make them on a Sunday night to use up whatever I have leftover in the fridge. This mini version is perfect for any get-together: Breakfast for the kids after a sleep-over, brunch with the neighbors, a bridal brunch paired with a delicious salad, and even for dinner. Here's a basic mini frittata recipe that you can add your favorites to: Asparagus, corn, tomatoes, onion... just about any combo tastes good baked in eggs!

MARTIE'S MINI PARTY FRITTATAS

Makes 2 dozen

8 eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

1 cup fully cooked ham or Canadian bacon, chopped

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced (optional)

pinch salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

dash Cayenne pepper (or dash of Tabasco)

1 tablespoon Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 400. Spray 2 mini muffin tins with cooking spray. In a large bowl, add the eggs. Whisk with a fork just slightly to break them up. Add the milk, salt, and peppers and whisk for a minute more to combine. Then stir in the remaining ingredients. Fill the cups 3/4 full. Bake 8 minutes or until they puff up and become set in the middle. Serve warm.

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Easy Entertaining: Chilled Cantaloupe with Mint

This light, refreshing dish is perfect for summer entertaining and can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! Serve it in a stemmed glass for an easy, elegant start to any summer party. Even in a plastic glass like the one below, this looks beautiful and tastes like summer. 

Photo: Arden PhotographyCHILLED CANTALOUPE WITH MINT

Makes 8 servings

1 large cantaloupe

1/2 cup honey

5 mint leaves

2 mint leaves, chopped

Cut cantaloupe into cubes. Sprinkle with the chopped mint. Chill well.

Next, put the honey in a pan with the whole mint leaves. Heat until the honey thins out but does not boil. Allow it to cool. Remove the mint leaves.

To serve, put the chilled cantaloupe into stemmed glasses and drizzle with the honey. You may need to use less honey if the cantaloupe is really sweet.

Happy Summer!

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Easy and Fun Ideas for Mom for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th. If you're looking for something special to do with or for your Mom, here are some ideas that will let your mother know how much you love her!

Make Mom Breakfast in Bed

What a treat it is for any woman to sleep in and wake up with zero to do for a few hours! It never happens, either. Or not nearly enough. A real present for mom would be the morning to herself with a delicious breakfast along with a good book, a movie she's wanted to see, or a stack her favorite magazines. Be sure to leave the kitchen clean:) During the afternoon, plan a picnic or some quality time with her. I've got some delicious recipes for you... but if you can't cook or don't want to, here's a no cook recipe that anyone would love.

Belle and the Bee French Toast with StrawberriesBelle and the Bee Bagel with Strawberries and Honey

Spilt open a bagel. Spread with Belle Chevre's Belle and the Bee goat cheese spread. Next, slice  strawberries over the top. Drizzle with a little honey and put it under the broiler until the cheese is melty and the bagel is toasty. Yummy!

If you don't mind doing a bit of cooking, make French Toast and stuff it with the goat cheese and strawberries. Serve with maple syrup. Double yum! Get more delicious goat cheese recipes from our friends at Belle Chevre.

Get more Recipes for Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed from Martie:

Belgian Waffle Kabobs with Orange Chantilly Cream

Fun for the kids to make with mom- don't hesitate to let them make these with Eggo Waffles if you don't want to fire up the stove. Half the waffles and skewer them with strawberries for a fun presentation. Dust with powdered sugar. The kids will really love this one!

Maple Orange Oven Bacon

Much easier than frying bacon, cook your bacon in the oven while you are assembling the waffle kabobs.

Smiling Grapefruit Brulee

Kids will really make mom smile with this cute and sweet grapefruit!

Blood Orange Double Bubble

A spin on the Mimosa, add a little Prosecco to sparkling orange juice and you've got twice the fun: a double bubble!

Garden-ing Party Fun

Plant some memories and have some fun when you make over your mom's outdoor space for summer. You can go all out and plant a garden or just freshen up her patio... either way, she's going to love the spot you take the time to make-over, just for her. You can do this as a surprise for mom or you can get her to sit with you while you work. Here are some ideas and photos from our big garden-ing party. You can make your party as big or small as you like.  Read the story...

Make a Memory: Bake a Cake Together

Today, I published my mom's pound cake recipe. Her pound cake was a standard for dessert on any special occasion when I was growing up. This Mother's Day, why not get the women (young and old) in your family together to make several special recipes that are important to your family? Your mom can teach the younger family members the tricks to perfecting the recipe. Write down all the recipes so everyone will have them for years to come. (Even better if mom writes them down in her handwriting, if at all possible, I cherish my mom's few handwritten recipes.) Hey, and don't let the girls have all of the fun... some of the guys like to cook and would love the quality time in the kitchen with mom!

  And of course, any mom will love a spa day, dinner at her favorite restaurant, flowers, or a gift from her favorite store. I know she'd love to spend time with you more than anything! Happy Mother's Day to everyone and especially to my sweet mom, who I miss every single day. 

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The Royal Wedding: Details for Prince William & Kate's Wedding; Viewing Party Ideas

I've got to admit that I have a growing curiosity about the big day... I'm talking about the most anticipated wedding of the year; that of Prince William to Kate Middleton. It is estimated that over 2 BILLION people around the world will stop what they are doing to watch as this historic event takes place at 11am on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey and I will be one of them. I planned a little viewing party back in the day when Princess Diana married Prince Charles and I do not intend to slight the oh-so dashing William- who, I am sure, is marrying Kate only because she reminds him so much of me:) Live pre-wedding coverage begins at the following times around the USA:

New York, Atlanta: 6am (Eastern)

Chicago, Dallas: 5am (Central)

Denver, Salt Lake City: 4am (Mountain Daylight)

Phoenix: 3am (Mountain Standard)

Los Angeles: 3am (Pacific)

Details of the wedding have been closely guarded secrets; very few of the plans have been released or leaked out. What is known thus far is that Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey by car and not by carriage. The ceremony will last for approximately an hour. After the wedding, the couple will travel by the same carriage used for the wedding of Charles and Diana to Buckingham Palace where the royal family and invited guests will enjoy a reception hosted by the Queen. Later in the evening, Prince Charles will host a wedding dinner for close friends and family at Buckingham Palace. For more details of the wedding, the history of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the couple, visit William and Kate's official wedding website... after all, every couple has one these days:)

ROYAL WEDDING VIEWING PARTY IDEAS

If you're planning a royal wedding viewing party to watch the actual event as it happens, a typical British breakfast is a must. Use formal china and teacups if you have them. This is the perfect occasion to drag out all of your silver trays and tiered serving pieces. The Brits are known for their eclectic and whimsical sense of style so feel perfectly free to mix and match patterns like a slightly kooky old aunt. Kate's wedding color is blue which you can incorporate in china, flowers, or linen. The English are known for their incredible gardens and every Brit I know has a bit of green they are proud to show off. Known for their roses - a bunch of any large, open roses make the perfect decorations. 

THE ENGLISH BREAKFAST: TWO WAYS

The British call the post-wedding meal a 'Wedding Breakfast' but it actually features brunch and main course dishes, not breakfast items. The culinary team at Buckingham Palace is responsible for catering the reception, which will begin with an array of cold and hot canapes for the 660 guests invited to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. Read more and watch videos about the reception and wedding cakes from the royal wedding site...

Full English Breakfast with eggs, sausage, tomato, etcSince the wedding will happen at the crack of dawn in the US, a real breakfast menu is the perfect way to go. There are two traditional types of English breakfast menus: a 'fried' breakfast" or "Full English" features eggs, grilled sausages, which are called bangers, beans (like our baked beans), hash browns, a baked tomato and mushrooms with grilled cheese on toast on the side.

Scones with cream and jamThe other type of English breakfast includes tea with milk, scones, toast, or English muffins, jam, marmalade, butter, and fresh fruit. The Brits are known for their strawberries and cream, which always show up on the menu at Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, and posh polo matches. The symbol of love, purity, passion, and healing, the strawberry has been incorporated into English wedding breakfast since medieval times. 

Get Martie's recipe for strawberry scones...

Other typical wedding breakfast items include Buck's Fizz, similar to what we know in the USA as a Mimosa.

Buck's Fizz Recipe

Fill a champagne flute with 2 parts orange juice and top it off with one part chilled champagne. The traditional recipe calls for a drop of grenadine.

If you really want to pitch in and feel as if you are a part of the Royal Wedding, the couple has set up a charitible gift fund to help celebrate their wedding. The fund will focus on aid for five different causes that have been chosen by the couple: Conservation for future generations, aid to service personnel and their families, changing lives through arts and sports, children fulfilling their potential, and help and care at home.

Touched by the massive outpouring of good will and congratulations since their engagement, the couple asks that anyone with the desire to send them a wedding gift consider making a donation in their name to the fund.

 Learn more about the Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund...

 Cheers and best wishes to William and Kate. Here's to a long and happy life together!

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