Spanish Tortilla

When I was living in Spain my host mom taught me how to make Spanish Tortilla. I don't really have measurements. So I decided to do a step by step picture post this time. Pretty much it's equal onions and potatoes (maybe 4 potatoes, 2 onions) sliced.

My host mom used a LOT of olive oil to make this, like boiling the veggies in it.

I just cover the bottom of the pan (7 in.) and when the oil is hot, add half of the onions and potatoes. Cook over medium high heat.

I always forget the salt and pepper. And even when I do, I never put enough salt in. (I should measure it next time.)

Cook potatoes, stirring occasionally, until tender and potatoes kind of break when you push on them (12 min.? depends on how thick you slice them.) Remove from pan and cook the rest of the onions and potatoes (add more oil if needed).

While they're cooking, crack 7 or 8 eggs in a bowl and add a few tablespoons of milk (like if you were making scrambled eggs).

Beat eggs.

Pour half of the eggs in the pan over the potatoes/onions. Use a fork (or wooden spoon- gotta be care with my new nonstick pans). and kind of jiggle (?) the potatoes around to get the eggs between everything. Do not stir/mix. Let cook on low for 10 or so minutes. Until only a little runny on top.

Cover with a plate and flip over. (I hold the frying pan in my right hand and plate in my left.

Then slide it back into the pan to let the (what used to be the) top cook.

Cook for a few more minutes. You can flip again if needed.

Flip it out onto another plate and you're done.

Here's what it looks inside:

My host mother would always serve it with a baguette and salad consisting of lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper, and, oh! that's right, olive oil.

pumpkin french toast

The other day I had some pumpkin pancakes and thought, why not do this with french toast! Kurt's mom always adds a banana to her french toast (mixes it in the blender), so I figured it would be just as easy to add some canned pumpkin. It was, and even tastier!

8 slices of bread (I used whole wheat)

1 cup milk

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and dash of nutmeg and cloves (or you could just use pumpkin pie spice)

Mix together and pour in a pie dish. Dip each slice and fry in butter. Top with maple syrup or whipped cream.

Crustless Spinach Quiche

My wonderful friend Chelsea told me about this fabulous last minute recipe. Just keep a some frozen chopped spinach in the freezer and you'll be ready anytime you need a quick and easy dinner. Usually I garnish it with chopped tomatoes with salt and pepper and, since it's crustless, some french bread. This time though we had bruschetta (see post below) along with it- even better!

Crustless Spinach Quiche (allrecipes.com)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups shredded Muenster cheese (I just use whatever I have- cheddar, monteray jack)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• Cook onions in oil until soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
• In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Banana Sour Cream Pancakes & Scrambled Eggs with Green Herbs

I tried these pancakes at a friends house and fell in love with them. I've added mashed bananas to french toast and pancakes before (to secretly make them healthier for the kids), but I think the diced bananas are so much better (even if Eleanor doesn't).

I was afraid to try these scrambled eggs because I've never been a real fan of dill. Growing up I would protest whenever my poor mom added it to anything. She loves it. Maybe my taste buds have grown up. Maybe I just grew up. But I thought these tasted great.

I dyed the pancakes green for St. Patrick's Day. hehe