The Hip Hostess

In my house we actually call this a fritatta (even though it’s baked in the oven instead of on the stove top).  Somehow calling it a fritatta rather than a quiche made my husband more excited about it.  Is a fritatta more masculine than a quiche?  I don’t know.  But I do know that this has become a brunch favorite among my family (including my husband!) and friends.  Serve the quiche/ fritatta as the main dish for a brunch or luncheon.  It’s also perfect for a light dinner when served with salad and whole-grain bread. 

The quiche/ fritatta can be baked in a square dish and cut into small pieces for a tapas party (serve it like a Spanish tortilla, at room temperature).

Crustless Spinach Quiche

8 eggs or 2 small cartons of egg beaters

1/2 container of low fat whipped cottage cheese or fat free ricotta

4oz low fat cheddar cheese, shredded

4oz Cabot chipotle cheddar cheese or pepper jack, shredded

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium yellow Spanish onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 bunch of spinach, stems removed and chopped (or 1 bag of pre-washed baby spinach, chopped)

1 Tbs. olive oil (or cooking spray)

Kosher salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Splash of Tabasco sauce, optional (use if you cannot find the chipotle cheese)

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a large ceramic fluted quiche dish or glass pie dish with a light layer of cooking spray.  

2.       Heat the olive oil (or cooking spray) in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Sautee the onion until translucent.  Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic and red peppers.  Once the red peppers have softened, add the chopped spinach.  Sautee until spinach is completely wilted and most of the moisture has cooked off.  If you have time to cool the vegetables you can do so and add them directly into the egg mixture (below).  If they are still warm put the vegetables in the bottom of your prepared dish.  Make sure that the vegetables are evenly spread around the bottom of the dish.

3.       In a large bowl, whisk together the egg beaters, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, a pinch of kosher salt and some fresh ground black pepper.  If you are using the Tabasco (not necessary if you are using chipotle cheese), add a splash to the mixture and continue whisking.  Either mix the cooled vegetables (see step 2) into the egg mixture or pour the egg mixture over the warm vegetables in the bottom of the quiche dish.  Make sure the egg mixture is evenly distributed over the vegetables so the top of the quiche is level.

4.       Place the quiche in the center of the oven and bake for 45 minutes.  You will know it’s done when the cheese is bubbling, the center is firm and the top is golden brown.  Cool slightly before cutting into eight wedges and serve warm.