Grilled Frittata With Zucchini Leeks Crème Fraîche And Harissa Food

GRILLED FRITTATA WITH ZUCCHINI, LEEKS, CRèME FRAîCHE AND HARISSA

Steps:

• Light a grill or preheat a grill pan; if you're using a charcoal grill, leave one spot cooler for indirect cooking. Lightly brush both sides of the zucchini and the leeks with olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Grill the zucchini over high heat, turning once, until nicely browned and tender, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a work surface, let cool slightly and slice crosswise 1/2 inch thick.
• Grill the leeks over high heat until grill marks form, about 2 minutes per side, then move the leeks to a cooler part of the grill and grill over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until just tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a work surface and let cool slightly. Remove the outer leaf and thinly slice the leeks crosswise, discarding any tough dark green pieces.
• Turn the grill burners to moderate heat or, if you're using a charcoal grill, let the hot coals cool slightly. Brush a seasoned 12-inch cast-iron skillet generously with olive oil and set it on the grill.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/4 cup of the crème fraîche and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in the cooled vegetables. When the skillet is hot, carefully pour in the eggs and vegetables. Using a spoon, carefully dollop the remaining 2 tablespoons of the crème fraîche and the 2 teaspoons of harissa around the top of the eggs. Close the grill and cook the frittata for about 15 minutes, moving the skillet a few times to make sure it's evenly heated, until the eggs are puffed and set.
• Let the frittata cool slightly, then garnish with the basil leaves. Slice the frittata into wedges and serve, passing more harissa at the table.

ZUCCHINI AND GRUYERE FRITTATA SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-by-18-by-1-inch sheet pan with olive oil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute for 5 minutes, until it begins to brown. Add the leeks and saute for 5 minutes, until tender. Add the zucchini and thyme and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir in two-thirds of the Gruyere and the basil.
• Pour the zucchini mixture in an even, well distributed layer into the prepared sheet pan. Pour the egg mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere. Shake the pan to evenly distribute the egg mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until puffed and just set in the center. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Cut the frittata into 30 equal size squares, sprinkle with salt, garnish with the julienned basil and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

Steps:

• Place the shredded zucchini in a towel or several layers of cheese cloth, gather ends and twist hard sqeezing out as much liquid as possible.
• Heat oil and butter in a large oven proof skillet (I use cast iron) and saute onion and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini and cook the vegetables over moderately low heat, stirring often, until the zucchini is just tender. Pour off any liquid that collects in the pan.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat together eggs, milk, seasonings, and 2 Tbs. of the parmesean cheese.
• Add to zucchini mixture, and cook, stirring often, until the eggs begin to set.
• Sprinkle the Frittata with remainder parmesean cheese and place the pan under the broiler or in a very hot oven (500)until the top of the Frittata is lightly browned (this happens fast so keep a close watch so it doesn't burn).
• Let stand a few minutes before slicing into wedges.

LEEK AND CRèME FRAîCHE FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Separate the yolks from the whites of two eggs. Place the whites in the metal bowl set on top of the dish towel (to prevent moving) and whisk to soft peaks. Set aside. In another bowl, whisk 4 eggs, plus the 2 leftover egg yolks. Use a Microplane to grate the garlic into the eggs. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• For the filling: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Slice the leek in half lengthwise (make sure there's no grit!), then thinly slice across. Add leeks to the skillet along with another tablespoon of oil, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the leeks begin to wilt but have not taken on any color; then add the vinegar. Toss, then stir the leeks into the eggs. Wipe the skillet clean; then add the remaining butter and teaspoon of olive oil over low-medium heat. Quickly re-whisk the egg whites, then fold into the frittata mixture. Pour eggs into the skillet and gently scramble until the eggs are set, then place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
• Finish the dish: Remove the frittata from the oven and garnish with dollops of crème fraîche, chopped parsley, and aleppo pepper.

CHEF JOHN'S CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Combine cream and buttermilk in a glass jar. Cover tightly with cheesecloth (or any breathable material) and let sit at room temperature (70 to 75 degrees F (21 to 24 degrees C)) for 24 hours. Stir, screw on lid, and refrigerate for 24 hours before using.

ZUCCHINI, RED PEPPER & LEEK FRITTATA

Steps:

• Steam or microwave the vegetables together until tender, each will cook at the same approximate rate.
• Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a light coat of oil on a heavy ovenproof skillet.
• On medium heat, heat oil, and add half of the egg substitute.
• Sprinkle it with half the thyme and half the black pepper.
• Let it cook for a few seconds, until it begins to bubble, and then use a spatula to pull the sides in and spread the uncooked egg over the bottom of the pan, as if cooking an omelet.
• When this is nearly cooked, add steamed vegetables to pan.
• Evenly pour in the remaining half of the egg substitute, and sprinkle on the remaining thyme and black pepper.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until egg is firm.
• Serve.