Frittata is a purely Italian dish. Literally, "frittata" means "frying" or "fried". The classic frittata recipe is an omelet made with a variety of fillings, such as cheese, vegetables, sausages and meat. The Neapolitan version of the dish is prepared with the addition of pasta. The peasant version of the frittata contains leeks and parmesan cheese.
The history of the Italian frittata
The word "frittata" comes from the Italian "friggere", which translates as "to fry". This term was used to refer to frying eggs in any form — from an omelet to a tortilla. Until the end of the 50s, any kind of omelet was considered a frittata. In Italy, an omelette is more than a quick meal. Most people think of a frittata as a simple omelette, but this national Italian snack has its own bright flavors and cooking methods. The dish differs from an omelette in that it is prepared not only in a pan, but also baked in the oven.
Today, it is not established for sure where and when the frittata was born. The first evidence of it is found in "De re coquinaria" - a book of recipes from the first century BC, by the Roman gastronomist Marco Gavio Apicius. It is in this collection that various types of omelets are illustrated, some of which are very original (with elderberry or rose petals). There is also a legend: "In 1535, the Spanish king Charles V, returning from Tunisia, stopped on the way in the town of Padula (Salerno) in the Cartesian monastery. Local residents did not eat meat and offered the Spanish ruler a meal that went down in history as the largest omelet of a thousand eggs, which was fed to the king and his entire army. A simple recipe for a frittata is the addition of caramelized onions, ripe fragrant tomatoes and aged Parmesan cheese, and slices of ham will not hurt.
How to make a frittata at home
The frittata is easy to assemble. With only a few ingredients, you will get a bright, tasty and healthy breakfast.
You can make almost any frittata with these basic ingredients:
Eggs are the main ingredient;
Fat cream - add moisture and richness to the egg base;
Salt is all you need, a simple seasoning;
Butter – to grease the pan and prevent the frittata from sticking;
Cheese - you can mix 2 types of cheese, for example mozzarella and goat cheese.
These are the basic ingredients for a frittata recipe.
Frittata Variations
Now the most interesting. frittata is so versatile that you can mix and match different toppings and ingredients to create the perfect breakfast. How to make a rich frittata:
Cheese: goat, feta, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar and brie are great;
Vegetables: bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, onions, asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, leeks, eggplants, shallots, and jalapeños;
Leafy greens: arugula, spinach, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard;
Dairy options: heavy cream is best, but milk can also be used;
Herbs: parsley, onion, dill or basil.
Preparation of frittata
A frittata is a good excuse for culinary creativity. There are many recipes for frittata, it is hard to say what it is not prepared with in sunny Italy! In the cafe, you can find an egg dish with zucchini and low-fat provolone cheese, mozzarella, spinach and feta, broccoli and cheddar cheese. The classic spring frittata is made with asparagus.
But in any variation, the frittata turns out to be an appetizing, airy and very tasty dish. In addition, due to the addition of vegetables, greens, eggs and minimal heat treatment, the dish from Italy is very healthy! Start your morning the way real Italians do, prepare a delicious and nutritious breakfast. frittata is ideal for those who are used to proper nutrition and an easy start to the day.
