Frittatas

Directions

1. 1
   Put the leek pieces in your nonstick omelet or cast-iron pan, and barely cover with water.
2. 2
   Bring to a boil, and cook until the water has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
3. 3
   Push aside, trying to keep the leek quarters intact, add the butter or oil to the pan, and lay in the pepper strips.
4. 4
   Cook another few minutes, then remove to a plate with a spatula.
5. 5
   Crack the eggs into a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and mix well with a fork.
6. 6
   Set the pan over low heat, adding just a little more fat if needed, and pour the eggs in.
7. 7
   Now arrange the leeks and peppers and ham strips in spokes, and tuck slices of potato in between.
8. 8
   Add a little more salt and pepper, and cook, covered, very slowly for 810 minutes, until set but still a little runny on top.
9. 9
   Grate a light coating of Parmesan over it, and slip under a preheated broiler just long enough to solidify the eggs and brown lightly.
10. 10
    I like to use vegetables that can be arranged in a spoke pattern.
11. 11
    Asparagus and a slim zucchini quartered lengthwise are good, as well as different colors of bell pepper, but you dont have to let the aesthetics dictate.
12. 12
    Small cooked artichoke hearts are wonderful with potatoes hereof course with some scallion or onionbut they will take longer in the initial cooking, 1520 minutes.
13. 13
    You can cook your potato along with the artichokes, if you prefer.
14. 14
    And mushrooms are a delight, particularly if you have some attractive wild varieties, like golden chanterelles.
15. 15
    The potato I feel is almost a must; it gives substance to the dish and, along with the Serrano ham, if you happen to have that, a distinctly Spanish accenta delicious, attractive meal all in one.