Easter Eggs

Looking for a way to use the eggs from your decorated Easter egg shells? Why not try making a frittata for bunch? Frittatas are an easy way to use eggs. Just sauté what ever vegetables you like, or have on hand, in a cast iron frying pan. I like to use things like asparagus, mushrooms, and spinach. You might also want to boil a couple of new potatoes. While the veggies are cooking, beat together 6-8 eggs, fresh ground pepper and a dash of basil. Once the potatoes are cooked, slice and distribute evenly in the pan with the veg. Pour the eggs over top and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook for a few minutes and then sprinkle with feta or goat’s cheese and pop in the oven on the centre rack with the broiler on. Continue to cook until eggs are set and bubbly. Cut into slices and serve with a side salad and toast, or other desired brunch items. Oh, and of course coffee.

Eggs have been much maligned over the years. Primarily due to their cholesterol content. However, dietary cholesterol intake actually has very little impact on blood cholesterol levels and even those with high LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) can safely consume up to two eggs per week. Those of us with healthy cholesterol levels can consume up to one egg a day. Eggs are an excellent source of protein, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin A, among other nutrients. Try to buy free-range organic eggs but don’t bother with the omega-3 eggs. Those hens are fed a diet high in flax seed to boost the omega-3 levels in the eggs. The slight increase in omega-3s in those eggs is offset by the increase in price. You’re better off consuming the ground flax yourself and consuming other better food sources of omega-3s such as fatty fish (e.g. Atlantic salmon, mackerel, and sardines).

Make your own peanut butter

In honour of Peanut Butter and Jam day I thought I would do a post on how to make your own peanut butter. It’s super easy as long as you have a food processor. Just take 1 1/2 cups of skinned roasted peanuts (either buy them already roasted or roasted them yourself in the oven) toss them in the food processor, put on the cover, and turn it on. It’ll take about four minutes to get to the proper consistency and will yield about one cup of peanut butter. You can do this with pretty much any kind of nut; think almond, hazel, cashew, or any combination… If you want to get fancy, try add-ins like a tablespoon or two of honey, or maple syrup, a little bit of cocoa powder or chocolate chips. I really want to try adding some cinnamon and stirring in some raisins at the end to replicate my favorite Peanut Butter Co. variety. This will store nicely in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a month.

Homemade Chips!

I was visiting with my best friend and her foodie hubby in Toronto this past week when she shared with me this amazing homemade potato chip recipe that her husband’s been making on occasion. It was so simple that I just had to try it for myself. Here are the delicious results:

The original recipe used a regular white potato but I decided to be slightly more adventurous and used sweet potato seasoned with freshly ground black pepper and a little bit of sea salt. I think it would work well with a range of vegetables… parsnip, zucchini, beet, turnip. I really want to try it with apple next!

The recipe:

Thinly slice your vegetable (or fruit of choice). I used a mandolin slicer on the second thinnest setting. Then toss with 1-2 tsp of olive oil. Put a piece of paper towel on a large plate and place a single layer of the sliced vegetable on the paper towel. Place in the microwave and set for 6 minutes. Keep an eye on your chips as they will turn from perfect crispness to brown and burnt in a matter of seconds! Mine were perfect at about 4:10 but I imagine that results will vary depending on your selected vegetable, your microwave, and how thinly you’ve sliced your chips. Remove from microwave (careful as the plate will be hot) and allow to cool for about 30 seconds. Carefully peel chips from the paper towel. Repeat with remaining sliced vegetables. Season to taste with herbs, spices, and/or a little bit of salt. A quick and healthier alternative to store-bought, deep-fried chips.

UPDATE:

Don’t bother trying the apple chips. They just get all floppy.