A salmon vegetable frittata with heart-healthy salmon, Delicata squash, and kale!Â
Salmon Vegetable Frittata
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love having breakfast for dinner! Whether it be omelets or Huevos Rancheros, these meals are not only convenient they are also packed with protein. Not to mention also very versatile. This frittata includes salmon, squash, and kale, but feel free to modify it as you like. If you are vegetarian, try substituting mushrooms, tofu, or beans for the salmon. Or if the whole "kale" trend is completely annoying to you, use spinach to get the same good sources of magnesium and B vitamins.
The truth about eggs...
Aren't eggs bad for you? I get asked that by my clients/patients all of the time. Years ago egg yolks were the bad guys because they were accused of raising your cholesterol. Consumers were limited to 300mg of cholesterol per day. In the new 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, cholesterol limitations are no longer limited or mentioned. When this came out, commercials were exploding with promotions for bacon on pretty much everything! Bacon-flavored donuts anyone?
With this new update in guidelines, moderation is still key. The "incredible edible egg" is no lie. Just one large egg is packed with 6g protein and includes lots of B vitamins, like Biotin and B12. However, just because it is good for us does not mean we can overindulge. It is still recommended that we aim for saturated fat intakes to be 10% or less of our daily calories. This includes an emphasis on vegetable oils in place of solid fats like butter.
Put an egg on it!
As we mentioned, eggs are an excellent (and affordable) source of protein and vitamins. There are many forms of eggs besides the common (and delicious) scramble. You can serve it hard-boiled, fried, and poached too. Mix it in stir-fries, soups, casseroles, or salads and you have a complete meal for Meatless Monday (or any day of the week!).
Eggs in the form of a frittata were always a mystery to me because of the "baking" method. Again, I tended to shy away from most baking recipes before my cooking adventures. However, on the contrary, this dish couldn't be simpler!
Cooking this frittata requires two steps. First, you want to sauté your toppings (protein and vegetables) in an oven-safe pan. Second, simply pour your egg mixture over your toppings prior to placing it in the oven. Most recipes call for a cast iron skillet. This pan allows you to cook your vegetables on the stovetop and then magically cook them further in the oven. I recently purchased a cast iron skillet for these versatile reasons; I am quite obsessed with it. The best part? They are affordable! I got my cast iron skillet for under $50 on Amazon (see below).
No cast iron skillet at home? No problem! You can cook your veggies in a saute pan and then transfer to a baking dish, for example, a greased pie or brownie pan dish. Just as you would with a cast iron skillet, slowly pour the egg mixture on top and place in the oven.  Voila!
It's in the mix!
There is more to a frittata than just eggs and cheese. The perfect ratio of eggs, milk, and cheese makes the frittata texture and taste. As mentioned in Bon Appetit, for every dozen eggs, you will need a half cup of milk (full fat preferred) and one cup of cheese. A frittata this large would be more practical for hosting a brunch for a large group, but for most of us just wanting 4-6 servings, I would cut this ratio down to six eggs, a quarter cup of milk, and a half cup of cheese.
In addition to six eggs, I also added 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed meal to add more texture. This is completely optional, and if you prefer flaxseed for a grittier texture, but do not have it try wheat flour.
I hope you enjoy this protein-packed frittata for the busy holiday season! As we are surrounded by delicious holiday dishes, keep focusing on balanced and nutritious meals to get your healthy self through the wintry season!
Healthy Frittata with Salmon and Winter Vegetables
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs (if want less eggs use flax eggs for replacement)
- ½ cup part skim shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup skim or low fat milk (can use dairy alternative)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small delicata squash, peeled, deseeded, and cubed
- 8oz uncooked salmon fillet, cubed; canned salmon can also be used
- 1-2 scallions, chopped
- 2 cups raw kale, stems removed and chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons (or a sprinkle) of fresh thyme leaves
- Pepper and/or garlic powder to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prior to cooking, whisk the egg mixture including the eggs, cheese, milk and seasoning. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron (oven safe) skillet on medium heat. Saute squash and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the salmon and cook until thoroughly done, about 5-7 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and fresh thyme, cook until the kale is wilted about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Pour in the egg mixture over the cooked salmon and vegetables in the skillet. Place in the oven (middle rack) and cook for 20-30 minutes until the middle is cooked through.
Healthy Frittata with Salmon and Winter Vegetables
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs (if want less eggs use flax eggs for replacement)
- ½ cup part skim shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup skim or low fat milk (can use dairy alternative)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small delicata squash, peeled, deseeded, and cubed
- 8oz uncooked salmon fillet, cubed; canned salmon can also be used
- 1-2 scallions, chopped
- 2 cups raw kale, stems removed and chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons (or a sprinkle) of fresh thyme leaves
- Pepper and/or garlic powder to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prior to cooking, whisk the egg mixture including the eggs, cheese, milk and seasoning. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron (oven safe) skillet on medium heat. Saute squash and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the salmon and cook until thoroughly done, about 5-7 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and fresh thyme, cook until the kale is wilted about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Pour in the egg mixture over the cooked salmon and vegetables in the skillet. Place in the oven (middle rack) and cook for 20-30 minutes until the middle is cooked through.
Kathryn Pfeffer-Scanlan MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and recent transplant to Boulder, CO. After working as an inpatient dietitian for almost five years in Boston, she is expanding her expertise in the health and wellness industry. Katie is passionate about cooking and food photography, sharing her culinary adventures on her food blog, One Hungry Bunny, and exploring her new Rocky Mountain surroundings. Follow Katie on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
