Cast Iron

Bacon and Eggs

September 15, 2009
3.7
3 Ratings
  • Makes 1 7 inch frittata
Author Notes

It doesn’t look like bacon and eggs. But it is–only better. An Italian take on an American classic with organic eggs, pancetta, homemade pesto, pecorino fresco and fingerling potatoes,all baked into a frittata. —allison arevalo @locallemons

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Bacon and Eggs
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 pound fingerling potatoes, sliced thin, lengthwise
  • 1/5 pound pancetta, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup pecorino fresco, grated
  • 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup homemade pesto
  • 2 pinches sea salt
  • Basil Pesto
  • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 1 bunch basil
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/3 cup pecorino romano
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
Directions
  1. Bacon and Eggs
  2. Preheat oven to 400F.
  3. Heat up a large cast iron skillet and add one tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, add pancetta. Cook until browned on all sides and remove from pan.
  4. Add potato slices to the pan in a single layer and let cook without stirring for five minutes. This will create a nice brown crust. Stir potatoes and continue cooking until browned on all sides, 10 minutes total.
  5. Beat eggs well in a large bowl. Add milk. Next, when potatoes are browned, add pancetta back to the pan.
  6. Pour in the eggs and a spoonful of pesto. Stir to combine. Let cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle grated pecorino on top, and bake for about 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.
  1. Basil Pesto
  2. Pour the pine nuts into a skillet and light toast on low heat. Remove when all sides are lightly browned - 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and salt to a large mortar, and mash into a paste with the pestle.
  4. Add basil and continue to mash until the basil breaks apart. Add pine nuts and continue to mash.
  5. When it forms a paste, stir in the olive oil and grated pecorino cheese. Taste for salt. If you are not using the pesto immidately, add a drop of lemon juice to preseve the bright green color.
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5 Reviews

juliunruly February 17, 2013
I have a question ... are the potatoes and pancetta supposed to remain on the bottom of the pan, as a sort of crust? Or should I stir them up with the rest of the egg mixture before baking?
 
ChezUs February 26, 2013
I am thinking the potatoes and pancetta are a sort of crust.
 
ChezUs September 18, 2009
All the right ingredients for our brunch table!
 
wouter September 18, 2009
Sweet!
 
lastnightsdinner September 15, 2009
This looks heavenly.