Feb 14, 2011

Frittata alla Mentuccia recipe

This is a first.

For years, I've been a cynical anti-Valentine advocate. I posted about my unsympathetic stand towards the lovers' holiday in this post. I still find the commercial exploitation revolting, but this year I decided to wipe away the cynicism and support the Amore occasion with the naïvety of a blushing girl's first crush.

And what better way than with a delicious demonstration of my feelings?

While throngs of lovers exchange sappy cards, gifts and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, I will break my celebratory embargo with an unconventional savory treat:

Frittata alla Mentuccia - Peppermint Frittata

frittata alla mentuccia recipe


Ingredients
50 g (1/4 cup) bacon, cut in matchsticks
A bunch of fresh peppermint
1 clove of garlic, minced
Dash of Pecorino cheese, grated
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
6 eggs


Soak the peppermint in plenty of water and a fistful of baking soda to eliminate traces of field dirt and unwanted chemicals. Rinse several times and pat dry. Trim away stems and chop finely, to yield about 1/4 cup of minced leaves.

Film a large skillet with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the bacon with the minced garlic. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the bacon drippings in the pan, you'll be cooking the frittata in them. Yes, I know – I'm drooling too.

In a mixing bowl, break the eggs, add a fistful of grated Pecorino, and break the yolks with a fork. Stir, folding in the chopped peppermint and crisp bacon, and mix well. If the eggs are superfresh and thus rich in "gluey" albumen, I usually splash in a drop of milk to dilute the eggy mix. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and let it sit while you put the skillet back on the stove to heat the bacon drippings.

Pour the blend in the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook slowly for about 5 minutes, or until you can lift the bottom of the frittata off the the pan with a spatula. If you can flip omelets like a perfect French chef, go ahead. I slide mine from the skillet onto a flat, wide lid; and flipping that over the pan in order to cook the other side, accident-free, for another 2-3 minutes.

Adjust seasoning, slice in large wedges and stuff in warm ciabatta bread. Pack the sandwiches in a picnic hamper, along with a bottle of wine, some aged cheese, juicy pears, and a thermos of piping hot espresso. Take the rest of that day off, folding spacious blanket underarm, ready to go make out in the park with your significant other. And not just because it's Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day in Rome

29 comments:

  1. Wowwwww! I don´t know what I like most...the first or second picture! Happy Valentine !!! Kisses

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  2. any reason to love...though i do agree on the commercialism of pretty much every holiday we celebrate...smells good lola

    happy vday!

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  3. i LOVE this photo! it is one of the things i like best about rome - teenage pda - everywhere. (and the frittata sounds delish...i make a very similar one without the bacon - how could i not have thought to add it!!)

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  4. Colores~
    Thank you! The second was yaken last spring, at dawn. Two kids dodging school to go kiss in one of Rome's biggest squares.

    Brian~
    And to you too, friend!

    Gillian~
    the salty, crips bacon cuts the mint's sharpness. Love is in the air!

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  5. I agree on simply NOT being cynical and welcoming love anywhere! And making something so yummy yourself is much more stimulating than anything bought in a shop!

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  6. Hi Eleonora, I love that square in Rome and the twin churches!! Your frittata sounds delicious - they are so easy to make and so delicious to eat warm or at room temperature - or even cold! My Valentine's Day menu is on my blog - it's full of food that both FHFB and I love - maybe not classicaly romantic but definitely delicious! Let me know what you think! Ciao, bella! XXXOOO

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  7. It is the perfect meal any day. Happy V Day, E and E.

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  8. Pretty pictures. I use lots of mint in my tea, never thought of putting it in my omelette, will try next time.

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  9. I share your opinion of Valentine's Day! The second picture is GORGEOUS!

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  10. I'll have the frittata and the kiss. (And the ambiance of Rome). Just lovely. The peppermint is inspired!

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  11. Prego et grazie! I randomly came across your blog! The personal stories, pictures and tidbits are wonderful, and the recipes are absolutely fabulous - love to read about regional recipes!

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  12. Hello

    Good Day, I really love this post.very informative and useful.

    -Kathy
    www.healthandwellnessconsultants.com

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  13. Geli~
    Yes! Open-armed and smiling, I'm ready to welcome love!

    FHFG~
    I'm still recovering from the debauchery of your Valentine's Day menu... amazing!

    Rosaria~
    Thank you! Very romantic food, including the picnic!

    Sarah~
    It's an unexpected flavor surprise!

    Saretta~
    Grazieee!

    Claudia~
    I'm happy you like this quirky recipe!

    Neeta~
    Welcome to my kitchen! Please make yourself comfortable and feel free to dig in my Archive. You can also subscribe to my feed and never miss an update!

    Kathleen~
    Thank you.

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  14. I like your food and your sentiments, love is for everyday not just for San Valentino.

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  15. I love how you added mint to this frittata! I've never thought of it as a good addition to something savory other than potato salad. I will have to try this. Love the notion of a day in the park with my man. Maybe when the weather gets warmer. :-)

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  16. Just lovely. The photo transported me back to my favorite piazza in Rome!

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    Sincerely,

    Cristina Deptula

    New Year Publishing

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  18. Gaia~
    Me too!!

    Linda~
    Ames, sista

    Rambling Tart~
    This is actually a variation of the Marche regional Mint Frittata, I've added bacon and pecorino because I'm a glutton...

    Michele Napoli~
    It's my favorite piazza too! Thank you for your comment.

    Ladycatherina~
    Email me! italiainbocca@gmail.com

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  19. Great post - Valentines with a difference!! The frittata looks great, even for an egg-non-lover like me!

    Such a lovely photo, too!

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  20. Karen~
    I'm happy you enjoyed my unconventional Valentine's gift!
    How's it going down there, in my favorite corner of the world?

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  21. I can't decide if bacon and mint sounds intriguing or abominable! :-)

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  22. Serene~
    It's a curious flavor combo, but I assure you: once you taste some, you're hooked. Habit forming frittata.

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  23. awww! what a lovely treat for valentine's or any other day. love the photo of the couple, too. viva amore! ;-) ;-)

    paz

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  24. Paz~
    Yes! Viba Amoreeee!!!! And buon appetito too.

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  25. Love, Love, nothing like Love....{nice photo}

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  26. CChuck~
    All you need is love! Even in the kitchen...

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  27. quante belle ricette invitanti..complimenti da adesso non ti perdo di vista Simmy

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  28. Simona~
    Grazie! Che piacere la tua visita. A presto

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