Regime Recipe: Protein-Packed Frittata

May 14, 2011


Sigh. Yeppers. Hubs is still on Le Regime. I shouldn’t complain, because he did take a few days off so he could fully enjoy our weekend away–and we did enjoy–but now we’re back, in full-force Regime mode.

Another reason I shouldn’t complain? He’s still on Le Regime because as soon as school is out (in, gulp, two weeks) we’re scooping up our little minxes and heading to Mexico for a week of beach, sun and south-of-the-border mischief.

So really, a girl this lucky should know better than to bitch about making diet food for just a leeeetle longer.  Right?

Wrong. Of course I’m going to bitch. Bitching is a regular part of my daily routine. Wake-up, make coffee, get girls’ breakfast, bitch, make hubs’ breakfast, bitch, comb the bird’s nest that is Miss D.’s hair, bitch, get lunches packed, bitch…

Actually, I can’t bitch too much about this recipe, because it makes 4 generous servings.  I cook one time, for about 20 minutes, wrap up the remaining 3 slices, and hubs can just grab and go for most of the week.  It’s a good thing, too, because that leftover time? I so need that. To search for something else to grouse about.**

Protein-Packed Frittata*

serves 4

4 large eggs

4 large egg whites (about 1/2 cup if you use the kind in the carton)

1 tablespoon milk or water

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup diced or shredded cooked chicken

1 (8oz) package frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry

1/2 cup  diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup grated onion or shallot

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cup grated extra-sharp lowfat cheddar cheese (if you can’t find Cabot or Cracker Barrel brand, just go with regular-fat cheese)

fresh parsley, basil or other herb, chopped (optional)

Preheat broiler.

Beat eggs and egg whites in a medium bowl with milk until frothy.

In a large non-stick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; cook about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and chicken and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

Spread the vegetables out in an even layer in the pan and pour egg mixture over.  Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook until the bottom and edges of egg mixture are set but the middle is still a bit liquid. Remove from heat.

Top egg mixture with cheese and place the skillet under the broiler. Cook until just set and the top is golden brown.

* I know the addition of chicken seems a little weird, but it actually works in this recipe. Hubs’ Regime requires him to eat at least 20 grams of protein per meal, so we gotta stack the deck a little, here.  Seriously, this diet has him eating like Cro-Magnon.

** If, like me, you feel the itch to bitch, feel free to vent your latest frustrations in the comments section. We bitchers like company.

{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }

bryan May 14, 2011 at 8:14 am

Ok I need to make a book of la regime recipes! A couple of weeks ago I tried on all of my suits… Lets just say with day to day clothes you don’t notice the change, if you wait 5 years between putting on a pair of pants the results can be… upsetting.

As for bitching I’ll keep it short. Frickin weather!

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Barbara May 14, 2011 at 10:05 am

I’m on Le Regime as well. Since January. I swear, I’ve spent half my life on a regime of one sort or another. And I must say, you’ve got it down pat. There isn’t one naughty thing in this recipe. Not even cheese. :( (bitch, bitch bitch)

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TKW May 14, 2011 at 12:29 pm

Psst, Barbara. I added 1/2 cup low-fat sharp Cabot cheese. Don’t tell :)

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Phoo-d May 14, 2011 at 10:12 am

I’m still scratching my head over why your hubs in on la regime all the time. Dude has hardly an ounce of fat! Now if he had given birth to a kid or two? Yeah, that will put you on la regime for life. (Bitch bitch!)

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TKW May 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm

No shit, honey.

Kids are gifts from the universe; in return, they give you backfat. Worth it, but still!

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rebecca @ altared spaces May 16, 2011 at 2:01 pm

This is why I make them tell me jokes in the afternoon. “Tell me something funny,” I say.
“Mom! I can’t just be funny on cue!”
“Hey, I gotta cook on cue, drive you around on cue, talk to teachers…. You gotta make me laugh.”
Now I can add the backfat bit.

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Dana May 14, 2011 at 10:40 am

Lucky you getting to go to Mexico! I’m jealous.

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TKW May 14, 2011 at 12:31 pm

Dana,

Wanna come? We need child care ;)

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Naptimewriting May 14, 2011 at 12:06 pm

I’m with Phoo-D. That guy is kind of insulting by being on any sort of regime.
Also, it seems to me I just offered you wine and crack cheese rolls and my awesome baby’s infectious laugh so you’d come cook for me. Wouldn’t you rather sling your egg whites for someone who *needs* them? Come on. You know you want to be responsible for the ten I need to shed. After all, *I* don’t get to go to Mexico…[whine whine bitch bitch]

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TKW May 14, 2011 at 12:35 pm

I’ll sling my egg whites for you, dear friend, any time. Maybe I have some FF miles hanging around this year; if I do, though, you have to let me storm your kitchen and put up some things you can nosh on for a week or two. In return, for, you know, the crack cheese rolls, baby’s laugh, and ear that is always open. It’s that last one that I love about you most.

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Cheryl @ Mommypants May 14, 2011 at 2:22 pm

I am also on a Regime of sorts (grumble grumble) and breakfast kills me. Like I have time to make freakin’ bacon and eggs while wrestling toddler into clothes, making lunch for 1st grader, detangling (ack! the screaming!) my daughter’s hair, finding shoes, breaking up fights, etc?

Please come cook me this? Please?? I’m close to Mexico!

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TKW May 14, 2011 at 2:45 pm

Cheryl,

I feel for you. Miss D. wakes up looking like the Medusa. And then howls the entire time I’m trying to sort out her hair, which always ends up with me threatening, “to cut off every thread so we don’t have to do this anymore!” *sigh. I am not proud about this. But it’s true.*

Try the frittata, cuteness. Unless, like me, you can’t stomach eggs in the morning. Then just eat leftover hot and sour soup and call it good (while everyone else in the house gags).

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rebecca @ altared spaces May 16, 2011 at 2:03 pm

My daughter and I recently went through every photo album in our home. “Look here’s when we cut off all my hair because I couldn’t keep it brushed.” Oh yeah. I followed through on that one….

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Erica@PLRH May 14, 2011 at 5:11 pm

This recipe *might* feed my two teenagers. Gosh, I miss that kind of metabolism. I really need follow your lead. My hubby needs to be on Le Regime. I’ll provide child care if you cook!

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Stacia May 14, 2011 at 7:26 pm

You lost me at egg whites. I am simply incapable of separating eggs. And operating a can opener. And finding someplace without getting lost twice (at least). Sigh, bitch, moan, sigh, bitch, moan.

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TKW May 15, 2011 at 6:08 am

Stacia,

Honey, life is too short to separate eggs. Buy them in the little milk-carton thingys and call it done :)

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leslie May 14, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Ohh I am so glad you bitch as much as I do!

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Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla May 14, 2011 at 9:07 pm

I’m bitching because no matter what I’d do, if I made this, it would never turn out this beautifully! But yum!

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TKW May 15, 2011 at 6:09 am

Linda,

The recipe is kind of un-fuckupable, I swear. :)

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lifeintheboomerlane May 15, 2011 at 5:49 am

I have a recipe similar to this one, sans chicken. Yummy.

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Dawn May 15, 2011 at 7:09 am

This looks good. Going to have to go buy egg whites…cause I won’t waste an egg…but still…looks good. And you have SNOW??????!?!?! NO WAY!

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Maria May 15, 2011 at 7:28 am

Sounds delish! Although you are miserable due to Le Regime, I bet you are looking pretty fabulous yourself! Glad you had a good getaway!

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Christine @ Coffees & Commutes May 15, 2011 at 9:58 am

I’m on a regime of my own, only it involves a dairy detox and isn’t so much about losing weight as it is about finding non-medicinal treatments for my Crohn’s. But holy is it every hard not to eat dairy. No yogurt, no cheese, NO MOCHA’s. What is a woman to do?

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TKW May 16, 2011 at 5:01 am

Christine,

That sounds hideous! Could you use Almond Milk in your mochas?

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Heather May 15, 2011 at 1:14 pm

We are huge fritatta lovers around here! I just tried a new recipe last week that made fritatta in a muffin pan. The boys were so excited to have “egg muffins”! Gotta love any way to get kids excited about the same old foods ;)

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Mary Lee May 15, 2011 at 1:55 pm

Bitch away. I think it’s easier for the dieter than the chef. Especially when the dieter doesn’t even need to diet. No wonder you’re not into this.

Wonder if I would lose weight if someone else cooked for me. If you’re having to cook anyway, can I rent your guest room?

Ah, Mexico…!

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The Curious Cat May 16, 2011 at 12:09 am

Hey! Been a bit busy so not had the chance to get over for a bit! Should be working now but popped along anyway just to say hi. Can’t believe your hubs is still going for the health thing – good on him and that looks yum I have to say! xxx

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From Belgium May 16, 2011 at 4:16 am

Oh thank god there is spinach in it. My girls wont eat anything else (yes they are weird and no Popey is not the father).
My bitch of the day: the gym at my work is actually very nice, so no I have no excuses not to use it.

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TKW May 16, 2011 at 5:02 am

Belgium,

That is, indeed, unfair.

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BigLittleWolf May 16, 2011 at 6:10 am

So glad you had a good few days away. And I need to get my (wide load) little self on some sort of “regime” if I ever want my cute jeans to look good with my cute shoes again.

This actually looks like something I could manage to make… of course, the speed with which teens inhale food (do they actually TASTE it?) makes me want to just dump mac & cheese in a trough and leave it at that…

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Jennifer May 16, 2011 at 6:40 am

This looks really yummy. How does it reheat? Or does he just eat it cold? Frozen spinach kind of freaks me out, but I bet you could wilt down some fresh and then just use that. I’m so freakin’ picky.

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TKW May 16, 2011 at 8:46 am

Jennifer,

If you reheat it gently (50% power in the micro) it does just fine. Fresh spinach would work fine, too. Just squeeze out the excess liquid before adding it in.

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Brittany {Mommy Words} May 16, 2011 at 7:53 am

Did I read this regime does not allow cheese? I would so add just a little. Otherwise it sounds great!

And can I bitch too? I just wish I could cook anything good in 30 minutes or that grilled cheese (grown-up style) which I excel at making, was extremely healthy. *le Sigh*

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TKW May 16, 2011 at 8:47 am

Brittany,

I cheated and added a little cheese :)

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Jenna May 16, 2011 at 7:55 am

Hmmm . . . I’m racking my brain but I can’t find anything to complain about. Sorry to be the bitchin’ party pooper here. We just had a friend of my husband’s in town for the weekend, so tonight is going to be spent making up for all the snuggling I didn’t do with my man. I can’t wait.

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Gale May 16, 2011 at 9:29 am

I am not on Le Regime, but that doesn’t stop me from loving frittatas. I actually haven’t made one in a while, so this could be a good one to get me back in the saddle. This will definitely be served with a green salad for supper one night this week. Done!

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Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday May 16, 2011 at 9:43 am

How’s le regime working out for him? He’s been on it for a while now, non?

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TKW May 17, 2011 at 4:26 am

Samantha,

The dude looks rockin’! :)

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elizabeth May 16, 2011 at 10:56 am

My bitch: I HATE MOVING. OH MY GOD I HATE IT SO MUCH.

(Pardon me for yelling. Our apartment’s current disaster-status has me on edge.)

I will have to add this to the list of things I’ll make the husband as we transition to me(!) making dinners more often, because it’s really hard to screw up a fritatta.

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denise May 16, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Ok. I laughed out loud about your morning routine. …bitch….bitch….bitch. Yup. Me too. Boy howdy me too. And this frittata? I’m gonna make it. Looks delish.

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Tiffany May 16, 2011 at 4:57 pm

I am totally stealing this recipe because I am on Le Regime. I don’t think I’m ever getting off of it. Ever. And…I fucking hate my job. Let Le Bitchfest begin!

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Amber May 16, 2011 at 8:23 pm

This sounds like the perfect meal for my husband–when we get back on Le Regime again. It may take a couple weeks…which leads me to my list of bitches (don’t tell anyone I wrote that, or I might just kill you):

A. Miscarriage.
B. Contractions during the miscarriage. And no epidural.
C. Kids with stomach virus, while mommy is miscarrying, with heavy contractions, and, again, no epidural.

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TKW May 17, 2011 at 4:28 am

Amber,

NO. Oh no. Nononono. Please let me know if you need anything– anything at all.

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Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri May 17, 2011 at 7:22 am

Frittata sounds and looks intimidating. I’ll give it a whirl – have you ever made it without the chicken? Does it still taste as a good ?

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Salad in a Jar May 17, 2011 at 8:24 pm

I need to be on Le Regime (seriously, clothes are getting a little too snug) so I have printed off this recipe and will let you know how it goes.

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Kelly May 17, 2011 at 9:10 pm

Looks/sounds tasty! I’m not an egg fan, but I have been making crustless quiches and frittatas to a) use up our eggs and b) make food that my gluten-intolerant can share.

Question: If I want to add asparagus to a frittata, do I cook it a little first?

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theUngourmet May 17, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Mexico and sunshine sounds heavenly! Your frittata is looking mighty tasty as well. :)

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Belinda May 18, 2011 at 3:25 pm

I love making fritatta! It’s so easy and it always turns out pretty.

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Jane May 19, 2011 at 8:33 am

This looks and sounds so yummy. But it has the dreaded “s-word” in it. Do you think I can substitute kale?

My latest frustration? You don’t have the time or space here. But your post reminds me of the frustration I have about my husband/me/losing weight. My husband (or is it just guys in general?) can just think about losing weight, can just say out loud “I need to lose a few pounds” and it’s as if the excess poundage just gets the message and walks off to torture the next victim. It makes me sick.

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Sarah May 20, 2011 at 1:02 pm

What nobody really knows, I’m guessing, is that your “bitchiness” is completely offset, in the most beautiful of ways, by your absolute “sugar.” And before you go calling my number and guffawing in my ear, just remember that I know you! And I’ve heard you talk to those kids. And…I’ve been gone FOREVA, sugarplum, but I’m back and I still remember you. All of you.

That said, who doesn’t need an effing bitch session most days? When the kids start asking me for food again (in oh, say, 15 minutes) I’ll be biting my lip and slamming spatulas on the counter. You know it.

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Justine May 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Frittata nights are one of my faves. So easy and so good for us. My daughter LOVES eggs so this goes over really well. In fact now I’m craving some myself…

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