The 12 Days of Spinach Frittata

People either love it or hate it. Me? I don’t like the original but do like some of the spin-offs. I’m talking about the 12 days of Christmas.

For those unfamiliar with the song, it is about a series of gifts that the singer received from their true love. The first day was one item (a partridge in a pear tree). The second day was a pair of turtle doves and (again???) a partridge in a pear tree. The whole song builds up to the last day where the following litany is sung:

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.

12 Drummers Drumming

11 Pipers Piping

10 Lords-a-Leaping

9 Ladies Dancing

8 Maids-a-Milking

7 Swans-a-Swimming

6 Geese-a-Laying

5 Gold Rings

4 Colly Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

A bank that is local to where I live (and I happen to know it well), puts out a price index for the 12 distinct items and sees how the price of those have changed since the bank first looked at them 30 years ago. Here are some interesting highlights:

• The cost of all items is $27, 393.17.
• If you make the gifts non-cumulative (you get a gift again each time it is mentioned – 12 of the partridges and pear trees, 22 turtle doves, etc….) it will cost you $114,651.18.
• The 2013 index is up 7.7% from the 2012 one. Chalk it up to increased costs for dancers (Lords a Leaping and Ladies Dancing).
• The overall index is up approximately the same as the inflation rate over the same period.
• The swans in 1984 cost $1000 each to a total of $7000. They cost the same amount today. What a bargain!
• The Three French Hens, however, went from $15.23 in 1984 to $165 today for an astounding growth rate of 983%!

The information is cleverly presented. Check out the PNC Christmas Price Index.

The red and green of this dish makes me think of Christmas.

I happened to have some gouda so I shredded that up.

I snuck in some ham. It went very well with the other ingredients.

All together with the eggs.

The cheese on top.

Cut and ready for the plate.

This was an awesome dish and I cannot wait to make it again!

Spinach Frittata

Prep Time: 6 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Makes: 4 servings (serving size: 2 wedges and 1/4 cup sauce)

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (can use red onion)
• Optional: bacon, turkey, and mushrooms
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/2 cups egg substitute
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet with sloped sides over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until tender.

2. Combine egg substitute and next 4 ingredients; add onion mixture, stirring well. Pour egg mixture into pan. Cover; cook over medium-low heat 10 minutes or until mixture is set. Remove from heat; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Cut into 8 wedges, and serve with warm marinara sauce.

Source: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001733533