This is one of the real classics of this region's cuisine (Friuli-Venezia Giulia).You will find it wherever you travel, especially in the springtime when wild herbs sprout in fragrant profusion all over La Terra Fortunata. The key here is to use as large a variety of herbs, grasses and greens as you can locate. It is traditional that there be at least five different types. Among the most famous are silene, hops, melissa, mint, verbena, basil, marjoram, sage, parsley, spinach (just a little), fennel leaves, Swiss chard, zucchini (courgette) flowers, wild fennel, beet greens, chervil, sorrel and celery leaves. This frittata is served piping hot, tepid or cool. As always, it should be covered if allowed to cool and cut into wedges before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or more if needed
- 2 tablespoons minced chives or onions
- 1 1/2 cups fresh herbs and greens, all carefully cleaned and dried, then torn into small pieces
- 12 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons whole or low-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons grated aged or semi-aged montasio cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Thoroughly butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch nonstick skillet. If 2 tablespoons are not sufficient, use more butter. Place the pan over low heat; when the butter becomes warm, add chives or onions. Heat gently, just until they give off a little fragrance. Add the herbs and greens and, if necessary, a little more butter. Stir so that all the flavors mingle.
While the greens are heating, beat the eggs, milk, flour, cheese and a little pepper into a large bowl. Add the egg mixture to the greens and stir with a fork, taking care to avoid scraping the fork along the bottom of the pan. While working with the fork in 1 hand, shake the pan continuously to prevent the frittata from sticking.
Once the frittata has a rather firm skin on the bottom, slide it out of the pan and onto a plate. Invert the frittata back into the pan so that the less-cooked side of the frittata is now face-down in the pan. Return to the heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan continuously to prevent sticking. The frittata is done when the bottom is firm and light chestnut-brown.
Slide the frittata onto a dish for serving. If you plan to cool the frittata, cover it with a clean cloth or paper towels. Cut into wedges before serving.
Variations:
To make a baked omelet, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Prepare the greens as above and transfer to a buttered 8-inch baking dish. Beat the eggs, milk, flour, cheese, and pepper in a large bowl and pour over the greens. Bake for 15 minutes, unmold onto a plate, cut into wedges, and serve.
Although usually served plain, you can drape a paper-thin slice of prosciutto di San Daniele over the frittata before serving.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and may have been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
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By cjholcombe_351162
Bridgewater, NJ
on December 16, 2010
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The baked method must be a misprint! I chose this recipe because it had an option to bake it. There must be a misprint as there is no way you can bake a recipe with a dozen eggs in a 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. I should have known better! With 21 people waiting for brunch to be served I had to pour the eggs into non-stick skillet and cook it on the stove. That said, it was tasty.
By michelann_498721
austin, TX
on August 26, 2005
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My garden is overgrown with herbs, this is a great way to use whatever you have growing out of control. Flipping it is tricky if you don't have a curved rim pan, I flipped it into a plate, and back into the pan.
By bah_611517
DELHI, OH
on July 14, 2005
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... but the frittata was a little dry and lacking flavour, despite all the great herbs.
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