Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Artichoke Frittata Appetizer ala Avery


Easy peasy. That's my motto at the end of summer. I like things to be simple but tasty recipes. Just a few ingredients. Lots of flavor.

I know my new character, Jenna Hart, in A Cookbook Nook Mystery series would approve. She's not a cook, though she is a foodie and avid reader. Her Aunt Vera and other fun characters in the series will be helping her learn to cook more often. Right at the onset, the fewer the items the better.


What's a frittata? According to the "Wise Geek" (a google research engine), food historians believe the frittata probably predates the omelet. It's Italian. Might have been served at Lent (no meat involved). Unlike an omelet, it is not folded over and finished on the top of the stove. It is baked and/or broiled. Eggs and cheese, what's not to like? Frittatas are like quiche without the crust. This recipe comes to me, not from a cookbook, but from one of my mom's old recipe cards, passed along to her by a friend with the last name Pomeroy. I used to make this all the time as an appetizer that I would cut into little bite-sized pieces and serve at Christmas parties. Now, it simply makes sense to make it as an appetizer with dinner, a side dish, or as a meal and serve with salad. 

ARTICHOKE FRITTATA APPETIZER ALA AVERY (AND POMEROY)

INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs slightly beaten
6 soda crackers (for gluten-free use GF crackers)
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can 14 ounces artichokes hearts, in water, drained
4 green onions, diced
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon oil

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onions and artichokes in oil for about 3 minutes, until green onions tender.  Cool.

Mix eggs, crackers, cheese and spices.

Add onions and artichokes.

Bake in 8” square oiled pan at 325 degrees 35-40 minutes.

Serve hot or cold.

For appetizer, cut inito bite-sized pieces.

For side dish, cut into 2-3” square portions.

HOW EASY IS THAT? 

What is your favorite recipe that someone in your family passed along to you?

*****************

I'm very excited to share my newest cover for the 
4th in A Cheese Shop Mystery series: 
TO BRIE OR NOT TO BRIE.  

You can pre-order the book HERE. 






You can learn more about me, Avery, by clicking this link.
Chat with me on Facebook and Twitter.

And if you haven't done so, sign up for the mailing list
 so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests!

Also, you probably know about my alter ego.
DARYL WOOD GERBER... 
Daryl's new series: THE COOKBOOK NOOK MYSTERIES
debuts July 2013

"Like" Daryl's page on Facebook and "follow" Daryl on Twitter.
"She" doesn't say all the same things "Avery" does. Promise.


ALSO:

I'm pleased to announce that my short story, PALACE ON THE LAKE,  in Fish Tales: A Guppy Anthology has been nominated for both the Anthony Award and Macavity Award. 
Go Sisters in Crime Guppies! 
Without them, my career would not be possible. The group support is invaluable!
You can read PALACE ON THE LAKE by clicking on the title above. :)



Say cheese!

***********







8 comments:

  1. Delicious! I grew up on my mom and Aunt Mary's frittata(s) so this is right up my alley. Aunt Mary's first job was in a bakery, and I learned a lot from her, but she was born in Italy, and those recipes with vowels on the end were something she passed on to me, too, lol.

    “Easy peasy” does sound good for the end of summer, and I hope we’re all enjoying this last bit of it before Labor Day. To tell you the truth, I’m also looking forward to fall and the smell of tasty things baking in the oven. Thanks for sharing and…

    Have a great week,
    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the looks of this--definitely going in my keeper file. Thanks Avery!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Cleo and Lucy. Guess I had a bit of "printing trouble" when you both read this post. White highlighting and all sorts of stuff. Thanks to my computer guru, I was able to remove the computerese gobble-di-gook! (Such a great word).

    Enjoy!

    Daryl aka Avery

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gobble-di-gook is my life, lately! (I had the same problem a few weeks ago with the highlighting. Looks perfect now.) And looking forward to meeting Jenna and Aunt Vera next year, too!

      Delete
  4. Oh, yum! I have a friend who thinks artichokes are the best thing on the planet. She will love this, Thanks, Avery!

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Krista, I'm like your friend. I adore artichokes. In salads, steamed fresh. My mother did, too.

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  5. This looks wonderful AND easy, Avery. What a great use for artichokes (one of my faves).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Easy and tasty makes a good match, don't they, Wendy?

      ~Avery aka Daryl

      Delete