Coffee, Frittatas, and Music Theory

It has been a quiet day. I have done some studying. I am trying to brush up on music theory and I have to admit that I am finding some of it a bit of a challenge. I think I was 12 years old the last time someone actually taught me anything about theory, but somehow I learned enough to get me through any music score I have had to learn over the years. For years I have been reading music and following along on choral scores, learning and playing all kinds of music without ever having to think about it too much. I have however, understood that what I know is very basic and so I am using this time to delve in deeply and recapture what I have lost and learn what I never knew in the first place. So over my first cup of tea and breakfast I started working through a workbook I brought with me. I have a long way to go, but I think I will be better off when I start my course work for having done so.

I then set out for a cup of coffee and during the weekend that is a bit of a challenge.Nothing is open on campus yet. It was a spectacular day, sunny and 68 and so walking across campus via a River Shannon path and out the main entrance to the shopping center across the road was quite pleasurable. This takes about 40 minutes on foot. Now you must be asking yourself why is she going to such great lengths for a cup of coffee? Why doesn't she just buy a bag of coffee and make it herself? Well a bag of coffee beans also seems illusive. I haven't found one yet. I am sure I have just not found the right store yet. I am after all in Europe and so finding good coffee and a press pot should be a rather simple matter. For now the option left is instant and I can't quite bring myself to drink instant. So the walks are doing me good and I get good cup of coffee as a reward and there you have it!

This evening I made that frittata I talked about yesterday. A frittata is a baked omelet with all kinds of goodies in it. I made them all the time for my guests when I was an innkeeper. I am going to share my recipe. You can vary this in any way you want. I used what I had on hand from yesterday's excursion to the Milk Market. But here is my Starbuck House Inn recipe.

Ingredients and Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Saute each ingredient separately in olive oil
and a touch of butter and layer into a lightly oiled baking dish:
1 sliced medium onion
1/2 of each a red and yellow pepper
3-4 sliced mushrooms
A medium potato diced in 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 lb of diced honey baked ham(optional)

You only have to saute each ingredient a few minutes to gather the flavor of the oil, butter and a little salt. The high heat oven setting will cook everything through.

Next grate or shred about 3/4 of a pound of Swiss cheese and thoroughly cover the ingredients you have layered into the dish.

Beat 6-8 large eggs. with half and half or milk. If you use the later use two more eggs or egg whites. Set the pan on a rack and pour the egg mixture almost to the top of the dish.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 35 to 40 minutes or longer if necessary. The top should be brown and the middle of the frittata should be set or firm. If the top browns before it is set, cover it with foil and continue baking.

This dish will stay hot for a very long time.
Cut in squares and serve with mixed fresh fruit and a good muffin or scone!

I took a picture of the one I made this evening at the request of one friend, but it will not upload, so if you want to see the frittata just as it came from the oven, just let me know and I will email it to you.

Happy eating from the University of Limerick.