Kale and Potato Fritatta with Basil Oil Drizzle

I used to really dislike eggs. In fact, I disliked most breakfast foods with the exception of pancakes, waffles and cereal. A lot has changed since then, and now I’m a huge fan of breakfast food — eggs included.

The masses seem to go back and fourth on whether or not eggs are good for you, but I think the nutritional information speaks for itself. One large egg has 70 calories, 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. Sure, they’re high in cholesterol (70% daily value), but as long as you are active and live a healthy lifestyle, I’m not sure there’s much to worry about there. Plus, there aren’t many foods more versatile than the egg.

I loved the idea of a potato and kale fritatta because it’s a well-rounded, meatless dish that’s easy to prepare. I actually made it for dinner, but it’d be perfect for breakfast or lunch, too.

Tasty.

Kale and Potato Fritatta with Basil Oil Drizzle (serves 4)

Adapted from Self Magazine

What you need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1 small bunch of kale (mine was 5 stems), trimmed, blanched in boiling water for about 3 minutes, squeezed dry and chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 cups boiled diced yukon gold potatoes (about 3)
4 whole eggs (Note: this may vary a bit depending on the size of your pan)
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus more for sprinkling on top
Salt and freshly cracked pepper

For the basil oil:

A handful of basil leaves
Olive oil

How you do it:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a medium oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add kale and garlic; stir 5 minutes. Add potatoes and stir to combine.
Whisk eggs, egg whites, 2 tablespoons of water and paprika in a small bowl, and add to the skillet. If you find that you need more eggs at this point, whisk up more and add them. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and let the eggs cook (don’t stir them) over medium-low heat for one 1 minute.
Transfer skillet to oven; bake until eggs are set, about 8 minutes. Switch on the broiler and let the eggs brown for an additional minute. Remove from oven and let cool for a minute or two.
Meanwhile, make the basil oil by blending basil leaves and olive oil in a blender until well pureed. If desired, strain mixture through a cheesecloth or coffee filter into an air-tight container. Note: Can be kept for about 10 days.
Slice the fritatta into 4 pieces and drizzle each with a bit of the basil oil. Top with an extra dusting of paprika, if desired.