Spinach and Feta Shakshuka

Spinach and Feta Shakshuka

Spinach and Feta Shakshuka

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Spinach and Feta Shakshuka ready to serve from a shallow braiser.

Meatless meals can be so darn good! Spinach and Feta Shakshuka is a quick and easy vegetarian meal that has a crazy amount of nutrition packed into it. Eggs on their own are very nutritious, add in spinach, leeks and legumes and you’ve got a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, K and D, not to mention loads of protein and fibre. This lovely dish packs a lot of flavour too, plus it’s prime for serving for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The preparation of ingredients for Spinach and Feta Shakshuka.
Spinach and Feta Shakshuka in a shallow braiser ready to cook the eggs.

There are plenty of green shakshuka variations out there, but I love the classic feta and dill combination of this one. It’s bursting with fresh flavours of dill and lemon, and the spinach is a great pairing with the eggs. I’ve opted to use cannellini beans, however, other legumes such as chickpeas would be great as well. I find the beans round out the dish and make it rustic and very satisfying. I also suggest serving this dish with crusty, toasted bread. You’ll need it to dunk into the perfectly soft eggs and scoop up the saucy greens. Enjoy!

Spinach and Feta Shakshuka ready to serve from a shallow braiser.

Spinach and Feta Shakshuka ready to serve from a shallow braiser.
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Spinach and Feta Shakshuka

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 3 people

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 medium leeks, well cleaned
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 7 ounces fresh baby spinach
  • 3/4 cup cooked cannellini beans, see note
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 each lemon
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 each green onions

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the leeks and green onions. Heat oil in a large shallow skillet or braiser. Add leeks and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften. Stir in broth, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Simmer for 4-5 until leels are tender and most of the broth has cooked out.
  • Add spinach and toss gently with leeks until wilted. Stir in beans, dill and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Make 6 large indentations and crack an egg into each. Sprinkle evenly with feta cheese. Cover and cook on medium heat until egg whites are just set and the centers still jiggle, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with sliced green onions and the remaining tbsp of fresh dill. Serve with toasted bread.

Notes

-I used cannellini beans for this recipe and enjoyed them in the dish.   Chickpeas would be another great choice.

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Leftover Turkey  Dinner Strata

Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata

Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata

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A piece of baked Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata served with gravy and cranberry sauce.

It’s time to re-think your turkey dinner leftovers and pass over the usual soup and pasta recipes for this spectacular Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata. It doesn’t just gobble up your leftover turkey, but also dressing, gravy and cranberry sauce. It’s quick and easy to put together because everything is already cooked. So a little chopping and assembly are all you need to do. Like most Stratas, this one can be made up to a day ahead and baked at your convenience the next day. It makes a great brunch, lunch or dinner dish, and it makes a 9×13 pan to feed your hungry family and guests. This Strata gets a huge thumbs up for practicality and tastiness.

Bread, turkey and dressing tossing together in a large bowl in preparation for Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata.
Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata assembled and ready to bake in a white casserole dish.

Chunks of bread, cubed turkey, and herby dressing get speckled with cranberry sauce and soaked in an eggy bath for a great twist on leftovers. I like to serve it with leftover gravy and additional cranberry sauce on the side. It’s a great casserole to feed a crowd and rewarms nicely in the microwave the next day, however, it is recommended to eat within two days of baking. So go ahead and cook that big ol’ bird and cook up a litre of cranberry sauce because this yummy Strata has your back and won’t let your money or efforts go to waste.

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Leftover Turkey Dinner Strata

Course Main Course
Keyword bread, casserole, Christmas leftovers, dairy, eggs, leftover turkey, leftovers, make ahead, poultry casserole, poultry recipe, strata, turkey, turkey casserole
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 12 ounces crustless white country style/sourdough bread, cubed
  • 3 cups leftover dressing/stuffing, crumbled
  • 3 cups leftover turkey, large dice
  • 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated, divided about 2 cups lightly packed
  • 3 cups 2% milk
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp celery salt
  • 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce

Instructions

  • Add oil to a medium skillet and heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook, stirring often until soft 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl toss together bread, dressing, turkey, cooked onions and half of the Gruyere cheese.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together milk, egg, and seasonings.
  • Lightly grease a 9"x13" casserole dish. Spread evenly with half of the bread mixture. Dot with half of the cranberry sauce. Repeat with remaining bread mixture and cranberry.
  • Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, whisking occasionally as you go to distribute seasoning. Sprinkle with remaining Gruyere cheese.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F and bake uncovered on middle rack for about an hour until Strata is puffed and golden. Remove from oven and allow to rest uncovered for 15-20 minutes before cutting into 12 pieces (3x4). Serve with leftover gravy and additional cranberry sauce.

Notes

-The Strata will last for up to 2 days in the fridge and rewarms nicely on medium power in the microwave.
-The dressing I used would be considered a traditional dressing.
-Want to make this recipe but don't have quite enough leftovers?  Half the recipe and bake in an 8x8 casserole dish.

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Broccoli Cheddar Frittata

Broccoli Cheddar Frittata

Broccoli Cheddar Frittata

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Broccoli Cheddar Frittata cooked in a cream coloured cast iron skillet and resting on a wicker trivet.

Simple is delicious, and this lovely Broccoli Cheddar Frittata is an excellent example! Easy to prepare and cook, and it’s made with ingredients you likely have on hand. Ready in about 45 minutes and makes a great brunch or breakfast dish. But I think it makes an equally delicious light lunch served with a salad or a heartier dinner served with pan-fried potatoes. It’s one of those dishes that is multi-serving and perfect for any meal.

Cooked broccoli in a cast iron skillet with a bowl of whisked eggs and milk in the background in preparation for Broccoli Cheddar Frittata.

This dish is one of the reasons I love eggs so much. They pack plenty of nutrition and cook quickly, allowing you to get a healthy and satisfying meal on the table without too much fuss. Lots of melty cheese means the kids just might like it too. Enjoy!

Tips:

-Don’t overcook! The frittata is done when the centre is just starting to set and still jiggles a little. It will continue to firm up as it rests.

-Use good quality eggs.

-Be sure to let the frittata rest as it allows the eggs to firm up and makes for easy cutting.

-Don’t be shy with your favourite ingredients. If you don’t like onions, add a little red pepper or spice it up with a few chill flakes or different herbs.

-Use full fat cheddar cheese as it melts nicer than light or reduced fat cheese.

-A lower fat sour cream can be used but the full fat adds to the frittata’s creaminess and overall texture.

A slice of Broccoli Chedddar Frittata served with a garden salad on a white plate and resting on a green and white checkered kitchen towel.

A slice of Broccoli Chedddar Frittata served with a garden salad on a white plate and resting on a green and white checkered kitchen towel.
Broccoli Cheddar Frittata
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    6-8 servings 20 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15-18 minutes 5-10 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    6-8 servings 20 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15-18 minutes 5-10 minutes
    A slice of Broccoli Chedddar Frittata served with a garden salad on a white plate and resting on a green and white checkered kitchen towel.
    Broccoli Cheddar Frittata
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      6-8 servings 20 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15-18 minutes 5-10 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      6-8 servings 20 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15-18 minutes 5-10 minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: servings
      Instructions
      1. Preheat oven to 350°F and set a rack in the middle position.
      2. In a large bowl whisk together eggs and sour cream. Add milk, mustard powder, oregano, salt and pepper and whisk to fully combine. Stir in half of the cheese. Set aside.
      3. Add oil to a 10" cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When hot add the onion and garlic and sauté until starting to soften about 3 minutes.
      4. Add broccoli and water to the pan and cover to steam the broccoli until just tender about 3 minutes. Remove lid and stir in green onions and whisked egg mixture. Allow to cook over medium-low on the stove for 3-5 until the edge is just starting to set. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and place in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until just starting to set in the centre (it should jiggle a little in the centre). Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.
      5. Cut into desired wedges and serve immediately.
      Recipe Notes

      -Use frozen broccoli if that's what you have, just be sure to thaw completely and pat dry before using.  Add to skillet after cooking the onion and cook just to warm (don't add water) before continuing with the recipe.

      -Gruyére cheese would also be a nice substitute for the cheddar.

      -The cooked frittata will keep for several days well wrapped in the fridge and can be rewarmed gently in the microwave.  It does not freeze well.

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      I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
      Corn and Bacon Quiche

      Corn and Bacon Quiche

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      A slice of Corn and Bacon Quiche served on a small cream coloured plate with the whole quiche sitting in the background.

      Let’s celebrate World Egg Day with some delicious food!! Friday, October 11th is World Egg Day so it seems only right to enjoy this amazing Corn and Bacon Quiche.  It has all the goodness of eggs and is stuffed with bacon, corn, peppers and onions.  Oh yes, and lots of cheddar cheese.  It also has a hash-brown crust making it gluten-free as well.  It’s a high quiche with lots of filling that envelops the potato crust making it very hearty and great for brunch, lunch or dinner.

      Ingredients for Corn and Bacon Quiche arranged on a wooden cutting board on a yellow napkin.

      So why does the egg get its own day?  It’s simple, eggs are extremely nutritious, high in quality protein, very economical, versatile and delicious of course. So yes, I believe the egg does deserve its own day!

      An asssembled but unbaked Corn and Bacon quiche on a wooden cutting board resting on a yellow napkin.

      Corn and Bacon Quiche tips:

      -Make sure all frozen ingredients like the potatoes and corn are completely thawed and patted dry if necessary.

      -Use a deep-dish pie plate for this recipe, one that is at least 1 1/2″ – 2” deep and comfortably holds 32 ounces of liquid. There is too much filling for a standard pie plate.

      -Don’t over bake the quiche. It should jiggle slightly in the center when it is done and it will continue to firm up as it rests.

      -Be sure to rest the quiche before slicing. This allows the quiche to firm up and will help with slicing and keeping all the ingredients together instead of spilling out when cut.

       

      Corn and Bacon Quiche
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        6-8 servings 45 minutes
        Cook Time
        35-40 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        6-8 servings 45 minutes
        Cook Time
        35-40 minutes
        Corn and Bacon Quiche
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          6-8 servings 45 minutes
          Cook Time
          35-40 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          6-8 servings 45 minutes
          Cook Time
          35-40 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: servings
          Instructions
          1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
          2. Brush a 9.5" deep dish (1 1/2"-2" high) pie plate with a tbsp of melted butter.
          3. Pat potatoes dry with a paper towel if needed. Toss potatoes with remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter and 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
          4. Press potatoes evenly into the pie plate and up the sides to form a crust. Using the back of a flat measuring cup helps to press it down.
          5. Bake potato crust for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
          6. Meanwhile, chop bacon into 1/2" pieces and saute in a medium skillet until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate reserving 1 tbsp of bacon fat in the pan.
          7. To the same skillet add diced onion and red pepper and saute until starting to soften about 3-5 minutes.
          8. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs and sour cream until combined. Whisk in cream, basil, remaining 3/4 tsp salt, white pepper and chili flakes.
          9. Sprinkle the bacon, onion and red pepper evenly over the cooked potato crust. Top with an even layer of corn and cheese.
          10. Pour egg mixture evenly over everything. Shake gently to allow ingredients to settle.
          11. Bake on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes. The center should jiggle just a little while the outer edges are firmer to the touch.
          12. Allow the quiche to rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing. Slice into 6-8 wedges and serve immediately.
          Recipe Notes

          -I used white pepper to avoid having black flecks in the quiche, however black pepper is just as good.

          -Be sure to use a deep-dish pie plate as the filling will not fit in a standard pie plate. It needs to comfortably hold 32 ounces of liquid.

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          I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
          Poached Egg and Kale Toasts

          Poached Egg and Kale Toasts

          I love eggs with greens, so when I was on the hunt for a nice lunch, I couldn’t think of what would be better than braised kale and eggs. Poached Eggs and Kale Toasts are not only quick and delicious, but a great way to eat your greens. Need more motivation to kale?  It’s crazy high in vitamin K, high in vitamins A and C and also a great source of fibre to name just a few. 

          Curly leaf kale braised with shallots, red pepper and garlic get a bright finish with a splash of white wine vinegar.  The tender, yet still slightly chewy kale provides a good texture contrast with the soft eggs.  Crisp toast is the perfect crunchy base to soak up any juices and runny yolk. It goes to prove that eating well can be simple and delicious with only a few quality ingredients. Enjoy!

          Recipe source for Poached Egg and Kale Toasts:  Compelled To Cook

          Poached Egg and Kale Toasts
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            4 Toasts 15 minutes
            Cook Time
            12-15 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            4 Toasts 15 minutes
            Cook Time
            12-15 minutes
            Poached Egg and Kale Toasts
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              4 Toasts 15 minutes
              Cook Time
              12-15 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              4 Toasts 15 minutes
              Cook Time
              12-15 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: Toasts
              Instructions
              1. Heat oil in a medium skillet, add shallots and garlic. Cook on medium for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
              2. Add kale, red pepper and water. Continue to cook, stirring often until kale is tender but still has some texture and all the water has been absorbed about 10-12 minutes. Stir in white wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
              3. While kale is cooking, add 3" of water to a shallow pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and add 1 tbsp of white vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. Crack eggs, one at a time into the water. Cook for 4 minutes for soft eggs. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess moisture.
              4. Toast bread and butter if desired, top with a generous portion of sauteed kale and top with a poached egg. Sprinkle with chilli flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

              Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding

              Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding

              As much as I’m gonna miss summer, I can’t help but be happy about cooking up warm casseroles, holiday squares and hearty soups.  This golden and eggy Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding, with its flecks of vegetables and herbs is EXACTLY why I love the fall.  I could go on about brightly coloured fall leaves, pumpkins, and apple desserts, but in the end, this glorious casserole wins my heart this fall. 

              It’s a dish I’ve made plenty of times, always with great results and never disappointing. The only sad thing is, it makes quite a lot, feeding 10-12 people.  Sad only because the only time I make it, is when I have enough company to warrant a casserole of this size.  So, with that being said, it’s perfect for a crowd, and can be prepped up to one day ahead, helping you manage your time when feeding a small army. 

              If you’ve never had a savory bread pudding, you must give this glorious Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding a try.  It takes a bit of time to prepare, but worth every minute.  Enjoy!

              Recipe source for Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding:  Adapted from Epicurious Savory Bread Pudding with Mushrooms and Parmesan Cheese

              Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding
              Print Recipe
                Servings
                10-12 people
                Cook Time Passive Time
                60 minutes 70-75 minutes
                Servings
                10-12 people
                Cook Time Passive Time
                60 minutes 70-75 minutes
                Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding
                Print Recipe
                  Servings
                  10-12 people
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  60 minutes 70-75 minutes
                  Servings
                  10-12 people
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  60 minutes 70-75 minutes
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: people
                  Instructions
                  1. Preheat oven to 375℉ and butter a 13"x9"x2" casserole dish. Slice crust from bread and cut into 1" cubes to yield 10 cups loosely packed cubes. In a large bowl, toss bread with olive oil, thyme, garlic and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Spread evenly in a single layer on a large baking tray and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden, turning once or twice. Remove from oven and return bread cubes to same large bowl.
                  2. Heat butter in a large skillet until foamy. Add celery, onions, green pepper, and mushrooms. Sauté until softened and most of the moisture has been cooked out, about 15 minutes. While vegetables are cooking, whisk together eggs, cream, spinach, salt and pepper.
                  3. Pour egg mixture over toasted bread cubes, add sauteed vegetables, parsley and gouda, stir to combine well. Pour into prepared dish, spreading out evenly. Top with grated parmesan cheese, cover and chill for at least an hour (up to one day ahead) to allow bread to absorb the custard.
                  4. Preheat oven to 350℉. Bake uncovered for about 60 minutes until set and golden. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10-15 before serving.