Smashed Potato & Ramp Frittata Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why is my frittata not fluffy? ›

Forgetting to add milk or cream.

Dairy, like milk or cream, is a crucial component of frittatas. This is the ingredient that gives frittatas their signature creamy, fluffy texture.

But if you're starting from scratch, it's best to fully cook any addition that might release moisture into the eggs—mushrooms, tomatoes, and summer squash or zucchini are common "wet" culprits than can water down your eggs. Sauté them separately.

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

You can serve frittatas straight from the oven or cold — both are delicious. You can even reheat leftovers for a minute in the microwave. Cooked frittatas store well, wrapped in the refrigerator for two to three days. We don't recommend freezing them since the freezer changes the texture of the dish.

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.

Easy Formula For a Frittata

6 eggs. 1/4 cup heavy cream. 1 cup cheese. 2 cups veggies and/or meat.

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.

Now for the fun part. Frittatas are so versatile and forgiving that you can mix and match different toppings and ingredients to get your perfect breakfast. Cheese: You really can't go wrong here. Goat, feta, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar (sharp cheddar is a favorite), and brie work great.

The eggs should be cooked through, not runny and a knife should come out clean when inserted into the centre. You can also give the skillet a gentle shake to determine if it is done; a runny frittata will jiggle when you shake the skillet.

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.

Should a frittata jiggle? ›

Keep an eye on your frittata while it's in the oven.

Bake until the eggs are puffed and opaque, and the center of the frittata jiggles just a bit when you give it a gentle shimmy.

When you pour in your eggs, let the frittata set for a couple of minutes on the stovetop. Then keep an eye on it when it's in the oven, and take it out when it's still a touch jiggly—not quite creme brulee-level jiggly, but when the top is a still a tiny bit shaky, get that frittata out of the oven and serve it warm.

The best side dishes to serve with frittata are mixed green salad, garlic bread, waffles, cinnamon rolls, bagel bites, biscuits, potato rosti, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit salad, grilled asparagus, tomato and mozzarella salad, home fries, and quinoa tabbouleh.

Cool the frittata for at least 10 minutes, and cut into 9 servings. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week, and reheat in the microwave.

Add Moisture and Mix

Next, use a fork to whisk the eggs, completely incorporating the yolks and whites into one sunny yellow mixture and whipping in a small amount of air for extra fluffiness. Since dryness leads to dense, chewy eggs, this is a chance to boost your eggs with some extra moisture.

Salt's the cure

Not only do you want to make sure to season your beaten eggs with a hefty dose of salt and pepper, but sprinkle the stuff on whatever fillings you pre-cook, too. More seasoning = maximum flavor.

As the frittata bakes, the eggs will expand and puff up. That can leave them with a spongy texture that's dry and unappealing. You want to combine the eggs well, but stop once everything is fully incorporated.

If you don't add seasoning to your frittata, it will end up tasting bland. Season your eggs with salt and pepper before putting them in the pan–a sprinkle of salt on top of the eggs before they bake will only flavor the top crust of the eggs, and not the whole dish.