Artichoke and Olive Mini Frittatas, and Game Time!
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A British friend once said that 'England invented the most popular sports in the world; and can't win at any of them.'
He watches sports. Any sport; any time; all of the time.
I, on the other hand, have never been much of an athletic supporter.
Don't get me wrong; I enjoy watching sports. I have, on various occasions, watched, and become thoroughly engrossed in: tennis matches, baseball games, American football, European football, basketball, golf, rugby… I've even watched test cricket, although not all five days.
I just have to be someplace other than my own house to do it. I'll happily become involved in the game in a bar, or club or someone else's house. But in my own? No. There is just too much other stuff to do.
(I also don't sit down to read a book or magazine, or watch television.)
The other problem I have, especially with watching professional sports, is deciding on which is MY team.
When I was younger, living in Wisconsin, I was a Packer Backer.
Something changed as I got older; partly because we started moving around a bit, partly it's something more difficult to explain; but I started rooting for the underdog.
If we were at a SuperBowl Party, and Team A was the party favorite, but not expected to win, all was well. I was right there with the rest, yelling encouragement, and bemoaning stupidity.
If they were expected to walk away with the title, I was mentally pushing Team B to victory.
Needless to say that attitude didn't win any points.
Oh, and one last thing: I prefer watching sports where the participants are not so bundled in body armor as to make them unidentifiable and impervious to harm. I mean, where's the sport in that?
Besides, if I'm going to watch a bunch of guys running around a field for a few hours at least give me something fun to look at….
When it comes to the food, however, I'm always ready to play.
I've done everything from sit-down turkey dinners to the, more traditional, Guacamole Dips and Chips party for past SuperBowls. When Mansi, of Fun and Food decided to host a pre-game party event to help set the mood, I couldn't resist.
I'm bringing some versatile Mini Frittatas: They can be eaten hot, warm or cold; with a fork or the fingers; seated at the table or wandering around a party. They are great for picnics and any event that needs food prepared in advance. They're good the day you make them and the day after. And they're easy!
Artichoke and Olive Mini Frittatas
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts, (6oz, 180gr)
3 eggs
18 black, Greek olives, about 1/2 cup
1/2 cup (2 oz, 60gr) shredded Gruyère
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika
olive oil, butter or cooking spray
Olives or artichokes for garnish
Open and drain artichoke hearts. Cut into quarters. Pit the olives if needed, and in half. Butter, oil or spray a non-stick muffin (tartlet) pan – one that holds 6. I know it sounds redundant to butter a non-stick pan but these will stick if you don't. (Not necessary if your pan is silicone) Crack the eggs into a large bowl, add oregano, paprika and whisk well. Place the olives, artichokes and cheese in each cup, dividing evenly. Add the eggs evenly to each cup, ladling over the top. Bake at 400F (200C) for 12 – 15 minutes or until set. Frittatas will puff up considerably and then fall when removed from oven. Allow to cool 5 – 10 minutes before removing from pan – they will start to come away from the sides of the pan as they fall making them easier to get out. Serve with a garnish of olives or artichokes, warm or at room temperature.
Check with Mansi, at Fun and Food after Jan 31 to see all of the great party food.
And may the best team win! (Or, at least, the one that scores the most points)
I love little frittatas made in muffin tins — I’ve only just started making them this way, and I can’t imagine why I haven’t been doing it all along. Apart from the automatic portion control, it makes frittatas perfect for entertaining. These are going on my Super Bowl menu!
These are simply great. I must try them ASAP. And I must check out the party food event; I’m trying to figure out what to make on Super Bowl day. Great idea.
Athletic supporter, indeed!
I have a little mini cupcake pan for making little frittatas…only one though…. I need more so that I can multitask!
Lovely! How did you know I had been looking at this jar of marinated artichoke hearts in my pantry and trying to think what to do with them? I think I will try to make these little beauties pretty soon. Thanks!
That was such a great story:) I loved the post as much as the fritattas:) Thanks for participating katie!!
Yum, yum! I, too, have little patience to watch sports when I’m at home. Too many other things to do. Like bake!
Lydia, I’ve been making them for about 4 years, they make a perfect first course – and yesm portion control!
Lisa, indeed! Old joke!
Bellini Valli, mini cupcakes would make them even cuter!
Simona, because I was looking at the twin of your jar for the same amount of time!
Mansi, your welcome, fun event! I look forward to all the goodies!
Lynn, even when I’m sitting and watching TV, I have to do somthing else – read a cook book, plan a menu, knit a sweater…
Hi Katie,
I’m not partial to watching sports at home too, like you said, there are other stuff to do.
These mini artichoke frittatas look elegant, yet simple to make. And also versatile to boot. Thanks for this idea. It would be a good picnic or party food.
How cute these are! I love little foods like this, dim sum, dumplings, peiroghis, etc
Mission accomplished and with success: I made them for dinner and they are gone. Good thing my jar of marinated artichokes is twice as big as needed, so I already have enough ingredients to make them again. Thanks!!!
I’m not a big sports person either. I used to be a big Yankees fan, but I think I was more a fan of the raucous crowd than anything else.
The frittats looks great and it sounds like the perfect snack food for the coming weekend. Much more exciting than a bag of chips, that’s for sure!
The only sport I can watch is bicyling. I especially love le tour de France. However, I watched a few soccer matches and became hooked. Of course, it had nothing to do with the cute boys running around in shorts.
It never occurred to me to make frittatas in muffin tins – love it! (Much more than watching sports!)
Nora, Plus we don’t have a big, flat panel tv… Not that I want one… They are great for a picnic!
Lannae, I’ve always liked fun foods – These are also great for road trips…better than sandwiches!
Simona, I’m so glad you liked them… and you get to make them again! Good planning!
Mike, aaahh, the old big bowl of chips… Bet you can’t eat just one! The crowds are usually entertaining – but I wouldn’t want to be in one at a big football match here!
Colleen, naturally not! We watched one world cup semifinal on a piazza in Italy on a screen the size of a 3 story building… now, that was fun!
Toni, And they are fun to make and bake in minutes… Great for people in a hurry…like me… (I don’t know why!)
I must say of all of the sports out there in the world, football is my favorite. I still cheer on my old hometown Cincinnati Bengals, even though they pretty much sucked this year. But I must confess I do tune in every Sunday for the games.
Thanks for the “heads up” on football food. We usually do the typical chili and nachos but this year I may have to be more creative. May have to try your goodie and I will hop over after the 31st to check out the rest of the goodies!
I totally don’t care about “The Game”, but those frittatas? I’ll watch any game to enjoy those!
Heidi 🙂
Mini frittatas are a great idea! They look tasty.
Food and the commercials are my favorite things about the Super Bowl. Artichoke and olive mini frittatas sound sensational. They could take the pain out of watching football!
Go for the underdog and knit. Too many other things to do. How do you always get it right? Love mini Frittatas and I sure like this flavor combo.
We don’t play football here in the Philippines, so I could never get the hang of the game. But I would love the eating that goes with Super Bowl night 🙂
Deb, I loved it in high school and college but only tolerated it at the professional level. As I said, I can happily watch it…somewhere other than my house! But I find Euro Foot (soccer) more interesting
Heidi, the food can make up for almost anything!
Kevin, I though these had a rather interesting appearance, too.
Julie, I’d forgotten the commercials, they’re the best part! And there was a halftime show by “In Living Color” many years ago that was a scream!
Tanna, at least then I’d feel productive…
may not actually BE productive but…
Scientist, the food goes well with cricket, too… One just needs more of it!
I adore artichokes…and olives…and this recipe. You’re brilliant.
How did I miss these? They’re fabulous and incorporate my favorite foods! Oh, yeah, the Super Bowl just got a whole lot better. Thanks!
Susan, I was thinking about the old artichoke dip – but didn’t want anything that fill of fat…. And always olives!
Susan, It’s all about the food…always!