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Asparagus, Ham, and Gruyère Frittata for Two

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 21, 2007

Yield

Serves 2

Asparagus, Ham, and Gruyère Frittata for Two

Ingredients

6 large eggs ¼ teaspoon table salt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper 1 ½ tablespoons half-and-half 1 teaspoon olive oil ¼ pound asparagus, trimmed of tough ends, spears cut on the bias into ¼-inch pieces1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)2 ounces deli-style baked ham, ¼-inch-thick, cut into ½-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)1 ½ ounces Gruyère cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)

Before You Begin

An ovensafe nonstick 10-inch skillet is a must for this recipe. Because broilers vary so much in intensity, watch the frittata carefully as it cooks. This recipe makes two very generous portions; leftovers can be wrapped and refrigerated—they make a great sandwich filling.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position, about 5 inches from heating element; heat broiler. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl until well combined, about 30 seconds. Set eggs aside.
  2. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick ovensafe skillet over medium heat until shimmering; add asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and almost tender, about 3 minutes. Add shallot and ham and cook until shallot softens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir Gruyère into eggs; add egg mixture to skillet and cook, using spatula to stir and scrape bottom of skillet, until large curds form and spatula begins to leave wake but eggs are still very wet, about 1 minute. Shake skillet to distribute eggs evenly; cook without stirring for 30 seconds to let bottom set.
  3. Slide skillet under broiler and broil until frittata has risen and surface is puffed and spotty brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes; when cut into with paring knife, eggs should be slightly wet and runny. Remove skillet from oven and let stand 2 to 3 minutes to finish cooking; using spatula, loosen frittata from skillet and slide onto platter or cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve.
Asparagus, Ham, and Gruyère Frittata for Two

Asparagus, Ham, and Gruyère Frittata for Two

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 2

Ingredients

6 large eggs
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ tablespoons half-and-half
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ pound asparagus, trimmed of tough ends, spears cut on the bias into ¼-inch pieces
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 ounces deli-style baked ham, ¼-inch-thick, cut into ½-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)
1 ½ ounces Gruyère cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 large eggs
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ tablespoons half-and-half
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ pound asparagus, trimmed of tough ends, spears cut on the bias into ¼-inch pieces
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 ounces deli-style baked ham, ¼-inch-thick, cut into ½-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)
1 ½ ounces Gruyère cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 large eggs
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ tablespoons half-and-half
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ pound asparagus, trimmed of tough ends, spears cut on the bias into ¼-inch pieces
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 ounces deli-style baked ham, ¼-inch-thick, cut into ½-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)
1 ½ ounces Gruyère cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about ⅓ cup)

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a frittata recipe big enough to make a substantial meal for two people, with a pleasing balance of egg to filling, firm yet moist eggs, and a supportive browned crust. Given the large number of eggs in our frittata recipe, we had to speed up the time the frittata spent on the stovetop so the bottom wouldn’t scorch by the time the eggs were properly cooked. We solved the problem by starting the eggs on medium heat and stirring them so they would cook quickly yet evenly. With the eggs still on the wet side, we slid the skillet under the broiler until the top had puffed and browned, but removed it while the eggs in the center were still slightly wet and runny, allowing the residual heat to finish the cooking.

Before You Begin

An ovensafe nonstick 10-inch skillet is a must for this recipe. Because broilers vary so much in intensity, watch the frittata carefully as it cooks. This recipe makes two very generous portions; leftovers can be wrapped and refrigerated—they make a great sandwich filling.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position, about 5 inches from heating element; heat broiler. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl until well combined, about 30 seconds. Set eggs aside.
  2. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick ovensafe skillet over medium heat until shimmering; add asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and almost tender, about 3 minutes. Add shallot and ham and cook until shallot softens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir Gruyère into eggs; add egg mixture to skillet and cook, using spatula to stir and scrape bottom of skillet, until large curds form and spatula begins to leave wake but eggs are still very wet, about 1 minute. Shake skillet to distribute eggs evenly; cook without stirring for 30 seconds to let bottom set.
  3. Slide skillet under broiler and broil until frittata has risen and surface is puffed and spotty brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes; when cut into with paring knife, eggs should be slightly wet and runny. Remove skillet from oven and let stand 2 to 3 minutes to finish cooking; using spatula, loosen frittata from skillet and slide onto platter or cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve.

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