This week as the weather on the east coast gets warmer and school lets out, it’s time for coming out from our shelters and reuniting with the people who you share either a street address, an end of the year school celebration or just catching up with friends. I plan to join some neighbors this weekend at their open house/barbeque and have been asked to bring something to share.
Usually I bring some vegetable dish because they are generally in short supply when the focus at the barbeque is the much loved hot dog/hamburger. However, this year I’m thinking it may be more appreciated if I brought some alternative to the high fat meats. Although we always think of eggs as a breakfast food too often accompanied by high fat sausage or bacon, I think an attractive frittata Crab & Asparagus Frittata that can be cut into wedges makes the perfect food to compliment the usual potato salads and beans that are ubiquitous at outdoor barbeques.
This is a great time of year to capitalize on the availability of asparagus, loaded with fiber and vitamin C to balance the 13 other vitamins and minerals in the eggs.
My favorite recipe is a crab and asparagus frittata which makes an attractive dish, incorporates a Maryland favorite- crab which is a low calorie, low fat, tasty source of protein. This recipe adds a vegetable such as red pepper and green onions, rich in vitamin A and C, for a delicious and nutrient dense alternative to the plain old hot dog/hamburger fare that others will be eating. At 224 calories per serving, I’m happy to offer this to my neighbors as a healthier change of pace to the usual barbeque fare.