I had a conversation about cooking efficiencies a few days ago.  Chop once and cook-for-the-rest-of-the-week type of thing.  My friend was explaining how having a weekly menu plan can eliminate duplication of certain tasks — Why chop an onion for one dish, if you’re going to have to use chopped onions in 5 recipes that week?

It’s an interesting concept.  Unfortunately, I’m not nearly that organized.  I barely know what I’ll be fixing that day — much less that week.  But I guess that was the point – make a plan and follow it — and chop all your onions at once.

I tend to think of “batch cooking” as an efficiency.  Like spending a rainy Sunday  puttering in the kitchen and making large batches of something (stock, sauce, soups, stews, casseroles etc.) to be portioned out and frozen for later use.

Like those caramelized onions I made a few weeks ago.  As you recall, I turned 5 pounds of onions into two cups of honey-sweet caramelized goodness and divvied them up to freeze for later use.  This frittata benefits from that forethought — after all, who would want to make a 10-minute breakfast by starting with 2 hours of caramelizing???  Not me.

This salmon and caramelized onion frittata takes no time at all with those previously cooked allium.  Take them out of the freezer to thaw (or stick them in the microwave for an even faster defrost) while you chop the vegetables and cube the salmon.

Then saute the mushrooms and kale, stir in the onions and cubes of salmon and top with some freshly whisked eggs and feta.  Finish the cooking in the oven.  Ta-da!

And this combination of flavors is a real winner!  Sweet and savory at the same time,  this main-dish meal is as good for breakfast or brunch (with requisite bloody or mimosa) as it is with a green salad, crusty bread and chilled chardonnay for lunch or dinner.

Note: if you don’t have caramelized onions on hand, I forgive you.  You can still make this frittata.  Just saute some chopped onions with the mushrooms.  They won’t have the same subtle sweetness, but I’d hate for you to skip this recipe on account of prep time.

Salmon and Caramelized Onion Frittata

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: caramelized onion, eggs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 400kcal

When we're on a healthy eating kick, this frittata is a favorite breakfast!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 large button or crimini mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup kale chopped
• 6 ounces salmon diced
• 1/4 cup caramelized onions
• 4 eggs whisked
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup low fat feta cheese crumbled (can use goat cheese as well)
• parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small 7" skillet (preferably cast iron) heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they start to brown and give off some of their liquid.
• Stir in the kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to wilt. Add the caramelized onions and stir to combine. Add the salmon and gently fold into the kale and onion mixture. Spread the ingredients evenly in the pan.
• Add salt and pepper to the eggs and whisk to combine. Pour the eggs over the salmon mixture. Sprinkle the goat cheese over the top and cook for one minute -- do not stir.
• Transfer the pan to the hot oven and cook for about 6 minutes or until eggs are just set. Turn the temperature gauge to "broil" and continue to cook the eggs for an additional 2 -3 minutes until they start to brown on top.
• Let the frittata rest for about 2 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
• Serve.

Notes

If you don't have leftover caramelized onions, just sauté the same amount of onions with the mushrooms. It won't have that subtle sweetness, but will be good just the same.
You can also substitute smoked salmon for the fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 450mg | Sodium: 758mg | Potassium: 663mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 83.9% | Vitamin C: 51.4% | Calcium: 15.3% | Iron: 15%

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