Mangia! In The Kitchen With Billy Charles NY: Spinach Frittata!

I am very excited to share my first cooking blog with you all: Mangia! In The Kitchen With Billy Charles NY  I hope to do many more and eventually to turn it into a Video Blog!
For those of you who don't know me, or may just be following me, I have a passion for food!
 I love cooking, eating, and critiquing it! I have been cooking since I was very  young. I grew up in the family restaurant business where I worked on and off from ages 15 until about 21. I am full blooded Italian and as  many people know food is a major part of our culture! We live, laugh, and express  love through our passion for food!
 Food comforts us when there is a sad occasion and ads to any celebration to lift us up! My mother, Nancy Mazza Piperata is an amazing cook... and trust me it's not just because she is my Mom! She learned a lot from her family as well as her father in law, my grandfather, who was a top chef in our state!

My Grandfather Chef Dominck Piperata R.I.P

My mother Nancy Mazza Piperata and I 

 Here I share my recipe for a dish inspired by her Spinach Frittata!

What is exactly is Frittata you ask? Frittata is an egg based dish similar to an omelet or quiche, enriched with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, vegetables or pasta! It usually involves frying eggs and adding whatever you desire,  the possibilities are endless, but here I make it a bit more healthy and quicker by baking it instead. Cooking is all about choices and I never follow any recipe to the letter. It's about experimenting, being inspired, and having fun in the process! I hope you enjoy making and eating this Spinach Fritatta as much as I do!

                           Billy Charles Fast and Easy Spinach Frittata! 



This dish feeds about 6 people with one  4X4 square each and should take no more than 45 minutes  including prep.

What you will need from the grocery store:

1 Cup of Milk
10 Large Eggs ( you can use egg beaters if you desire)
Garlic clove ( or garlic powder)
A small white or yellow onion ( or onion powder)
1 full Cup of Romano or Parmesan cheese ( or both)
Salt and Pepper to taste
12 ounces of chopped spinach ( Short cut; use a frozen, chopped, steamer in the bag for microwave)
Cooking oil ( again your choice) to fry the spinach up

FUN FACT ABOUT ME: I love drinking a glass of white wine with ice when I cook and listening to Josh Groban or any relaxing and passionate music!

Tools:

A large frying pan
A medium mixing bowl
A whisk
A cup for liquid measure
A cup for Dry measure
A 12X9 glass baking dish or pan ( I prefer glass looks better to serve out of )
A spatula

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and make sure you have the rack in the middle of your oven.
Next prepare spinach using the instructions if you are not chopping and cooking it fresh.
Chop garlic clove and your onion into tiny pieces.
Turn your burner on medium heat and add a few table spoons of oil and let it get nice and hot.

Spinach, onion , and garlic frying on the stove!

Throw the spinach, onion , and garlic in the pan once it is ready and be sure and turn it every so often so it doesn't burn. If you are using onion and garlic powder I suggest two full table spoons of each, or to your personal taste. I like things spicy!

Egg, cheese, salt , and pepper mixture.

Meanwhile in the bowl add all ten eggs, your milk, the cheese of your choice ( Romano or Parmesan) and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until all ingredients are well blended and there are no lumps.

Be sure and spread the mixture evenly over the spinach.

Remove your fried spinach from the stove and spread it out evenly in your 12X9 baking dish. Cover the spinach evenly with the egg mixture and place sideways in the center of your pre-heated oven.

 Cook the frittata for 1/2 an hour and towards the end of cook time ( you can insert a fork in the middle and see if it comes out dry)   switch your oven to low broil to brown the top. Be careful to keep a close eye on it at this point as you do not want to burn it!

Camera ready and  Gorgeous from browning the top under the broiler! 

Remove the frittata  from the oven, and when it cools enough to eat,  divide  it in to six even pieces approximately 4" X 4"  and serve it with your choice of grated cheese for garnish! This recipe also makes a great side dish to many meals! You could even garnish with fresh cut grape tomatoes , cubed mozzarella, and a drizzle of seasoned oil. Yum!

I love mine served with extra grated Romano cheese! I also eat this cold! It's usually gone the day I make it!

This dish is easy, delicious, and a healthier choice than many meals! Perfect for vegetarians also! You can even try it with mixed Chinese stir fry vegetables as  I  have done! ( everyone has that bag of veggies in the freezer they never think about using).
If you decide to try this recipe please leave me a comment here or on twitter @BillyCharlesNY and let me know what you think! Enjoy, have fun, and  Mangia! ( eat in Italian)  Xx Billy Charles