Sentimental fool that I am, I often fall prey to the “Hallmark Holidays,” those holidays created by credit card companies to boost sales. Mother’s Day, however, is not such a holiday. In 1908, a woman named Anna Jarvis embarked on a campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday. But the origins of the day mean nothing to me - it’s a day I get to spend with my favorite people on earth - My son, David, and my daughter, Lauren.
And whether they cook for me or I cook for them, I’m absolutely in my happy place. So why not make it special?
I served this frittata with some seared Wagyu hangar steak, some homemade pesto, and some tomatoes in Campari Aged Balsamic vinegar. A hit all the way around. But the frittata is just great on its own.
INGREDIENTS
5 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 wheel of Boursin herbed soft cheese
1 cup arugula, spinach, or your favorite greens, chopped
1/2 bunch thin asparagus (about 4 ounces.)
1 1/2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 large shallot, diced fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons
1 cup basil leaves, loosely packed
1 teaspoon oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
Set the soft herbed cheese in a bowl and leave on the counter to soften.
Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350.
Whisk eggs and cream into the bowl with the cheese until no streaks remain. Set aside.
Heat 1/2 Tbsp. oil in a medium cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Cook asparagus spears, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender and blistered in spots, 5–8 minutes. Season with salt and transfer to a plate.
Add 1 Tbsp. oil to same skillet. Cook shallot, garlic, greens and oregano, stirring occasionally, until shallot is softened, about 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Mix basil into cheese and egg mixture, and pour mixture over vegetables in the pan. Arrange asparagus spears in a single layer on top. Cook, undisturbed, until egg mixture is set at the edges, about 3 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake frittata until puffed slightly and center is just set, 10–12 minutes. Let cool in pan 15 minutes.
Just before serving, scatter the rest of the basil over frittata.
I hope you had a fulfilling Mother’s Day. If not, Father’s Day is coming.
A “Hallmark Holiday” even before there was Hallmark, The group that lobbied actively for Father’s Day was the National Council for Associated Men’s Wear Retailers, and signed into law by President Richard Nixon, who was, reportedly, actually a good father.
Matters not. I’ll cook then too.