3 Simple egg dishes

TIP To reduce the amount of fat in the frittata or bread pudding, substitute reduced fat (but not fat-free) cheese.

SPRING SPINACH AND SWISS FRITTATA

8 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

5 slices bacon

6 ounces white mushrooms, sliced

1 cup chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl; whisk.

3. Heat a 10-inch nonstick and ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, turning once, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels; chop when cool.

4. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet and return to stove over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in spinach and reserved bacon and cook 2 minutes.

5. Pour in egg mixture and stir gently to evenly distribute vegetable mixture. Stir in the cheese. Cook until eggs are partially set, about 5 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until eggs are cooked through and top is lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes. Slide frittata onto cutting board or platter and cut into 6 wedges to serve. Can be eaten hot or room temperature. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition for each serving 277 calories, 19 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 19 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 563 mg sodium

EGGS PIPERADE WITH ARTICHOKES

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups chopped onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (14-ounce) can artichokes, drained and halved lengthwise

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

1/4 cup coarsely chopped Kalamata olives

1 tablespoon drained capers

6 large eggs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

1. Heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, 9to 11 minutes. Add the paprika, peppers, diced and crushed tomatoes, artichokes, thyme, olives and capers and simmer 5to 7 minutes until completely heated through.

2. Use large spoon to form 6 deep indentations in vegetables; pour an egg into each. Cover pan and cook 8 minutes, until the egg whites are just set and the yolks still runny. Sprinkle with cheese; cover the pan and cook until cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Scoop out with large spoon. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition for each serving 236 calories, 13 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 11 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 938 mg sodium

GRUYÈRE, KALE AND TOMATO BREAD PUDDING

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

12 ounces kale, shredded (about 9 cups)

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups 1 percent milk

7 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded

12 ounces French baguette, thinly sliced, divided

1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and kale (working in batches as needed) and cook, tossing the kale, until it is wilted (and still bright green). Transfer to a bowl and toss with the nutmeg.

3. Lightly beat the eggs, add the thyme, salt and milk, and stir in the cheese.

4. Layer the bottom of the baking dish with about half the bread. Pour half the egg mixture over it. Place the remaining bread in the remaining egg mixture to soak.

5. Top the bread in baking dish with kale, distributing it evenly. Make an overlapping layer of tomato on top of the kale, covering entire surface. Place egg-soaked bread in a single layer to cover the tomato, and pour the remaining liquid and cheese over the top. Press down on casserole with a spatula to lightly compact it.

6. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the inside is set. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition for each serving 370 calories, 22 g protein, 34 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 17 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 628 mg sodium