Tomato Frittata With Fresh Marjoram or Thyme Recipe (2024)

FAQs

When making a frittata, which ingredient should be pre-cooked prior to adding it to the egg mixture? ›

Tough vegetables like potatoes, squash and onions need to be pre-cooked since they will not have time enough to soften before the eggs are done. Raw meats such as bacon and sausage also need more time and heat to cook through safely, so get them prepped before your other ingredients.

Tips for Fluffy Eggs

You can add up to 1/2 cup per dozen eggs. Don't overcook! Overcooking eggs makes them rubbery. When you remove the Frittata from the oven, it will continue to cook, especially if you are using cast iron, which retains heat well.

Use a cast-iron skillet.

The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving.

The Frittata Ratio to Memorize

So how do you make a great frittata every time without always using a recipe? The answer is a ratio. For every six eggs, use 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup cheese, and 2 cups total of vegetables and/or meat.

Too much time on the stovetop, or too high of a flame, and the frittata will easily get too much color or burn on the bottom. Follow this tip: Cook the frittata on the stovetop, keeping the heat at medium-low to low, just until the edges have set, which takes about a few minutes.

Replace cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the egg is lightly browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip the frittata and cook until the bottom is again lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes more.

The Frittata Formula

Frittatas are incredibly simple. For every six large eggs, you'll want to mix in ¼ cup of milk or cream, ¼ cup of cheese, and about 3 cups of meat or vegetables. The small amount of milk and cheese keeps the eggs soft and creamy and the meat and vegetables give you endless options.

Actually the secret in fine restaurants is to do what the French do - add water. The water will steam during the cooking process and add air. I didn't believe it at first, but was shocked at the results when I tried it. Just a about a tablespoon per egg is enough.

If meat and vegetables figure into your frittata, cook them in the pan before you add your eggs—and I leave mine ever so slightly underdone. That way, they don't get soggy when they keep cooking in the oven (and I tend to like my vegetables with a little “bite” anyway, but it's a personal preference).

I suddenly found myself with a frittata cooking in the skillet and no broiler to finish it under. The solution was simple: Just flip it like a Spanish tortilla. Compared to a normal finished-in-the-oven frittata which can take on a poofy, souffléd texture, flipping produces a much creamier, denser omelette.

Should frittata be brown on top? ›

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until egg mixture is set and top golden. Stand for 5 minutes. Serve.

Flipping the eggs requires a plate and some confidence. Place the plate face-down on top of the skillet, and flip the two, so that the frittata falls onto the plate. When you remove the skillet, you'll see the browned underside of frittata.

If the center is still liquid, you've got to cook longer. If it's almost set, cook the frittata a few more minutes, then remove it. As long as the frittata is still in the hot pan, it will continue to cook. That's why it's important to pull the dish from the oven as soon as it reaches that "set" stage.

Classic sides for a frittata include a fresh green salad, fruit salad, crispy potatoes and/or some fresh bread, scones or toast. Bacon, ham or sausage are also popular side dishes. In Italy and Spain, frittata is often cooled to room temperature and served as a snack or antipasti.

The easiest way to meal prep eggs is to boil them and store them in the fridge for up to a week. You can meal prep hard-boiled eggs, fried eggs, as well as almost any egg-based dish, like omelettes, quiches, and casseroles with eggs.

When finishing a frittata in the oven, it should be placed on the middle rack. Placing it on the middle rack ensures even heat distribution and prevents the top or bottom from getting overcooked or undercooked. The middle rack allows the frittata to cook through evenly and achieve a nice, golden finish.

For every dozen eggs, use a half cup of dairy. It can be cream, whole milk, sour cream, yogurt, crème fraîche, even cottage cheese. This recipe for Mushroom, Kale, and Cheddar Frittata calls for crème fraiche, but sour cream would work, too.

Cover it with foil if using an oven or with a damp paper towel if microwaving. Use moderate temperatures and avoid overcooking (325°F to 350°F in an oven or air fryer, medium power in a microwave). Moisten the frittata slightly with water or milk before reheating to add moisture.