Aggie's Kitchen

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata & 2015 Focus Word

This Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata is a light vegetarian option perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Filled with protein and veggies!

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata || Aggie's Kitchen

Happy New Year Friends! Did you have a nice holiday season?? It’s hard to believe we are starting a new calendar year already. I love love love the fresh start a new year brings, so much to look forward to.

My friend Kristen introduced me to idea of choosing a Focus Word for a new year a while back and honestly I have thought about it over the years, choosing a word but not really “focusing” on it throughout the year like I’m assuming the intention is with choosing a focus word. Last month I scribbled down a word while I was working on something and realized it was exactly the word that should be declared as my focus word this year.

My Focus Word for 2015:

LEARN

I want to learn learn learn. I have always loved being a student of all things (not necessarily in the traditional sense but I didn’t always mind being in some classrooms ready to take notes). Lately I have been obsessed with learning new things, from crafty/DIY home stuff to improving my photography to learning how to run my blog as a business to crocheting to cooking something out of my comfort zone. I am craving information these days and my brain feels like it may explode from that craving sometimes.

In the last couple of years I’ve been preoccupied with life events (pregnancy, family illnesses, moving to a new house, new baby). These life events have kept me busy and have used up a lot of my energy and brain space honestly. And that’s all good. That’s life! Life Is Good! Things have settled down a bit the last few months and I think that is when my craving for learning really kicked into high gear. My mommy brain has felt a bit mushy this past year so it’s time to fill it back up again. I’m retraining myself to be open to learning how to do something when I get stumped versus my sometimes initial reaction of “ugh” and trying to find someone to do it for me, or just not doing it at all. Granted, some things are going to still be passed on to someone more qualified and able but I would like to at least change my attitude about it all.

What do I want to learn? Well, it’s a mix between personal and blog/business related things. Here are my learning goals for 2015:

1. Learn (actually relearn) how to crochet: I crocheted a ton when I was a little girl, always making blankets for my baby dolls. My daughter recently took up interest in crocheting (along with other things like sewing) and I am really focusing on setting aside time and learning how to do these things with her. It’s quality time that we need together and it also makes me happy to create something with my hands like that. I started a crochet Pinterest board and plan on filling it with all things crochet. On the same note, I want to learn to be more crafty/DIY in general. I have worked on a few projects recently with my daughter and I have learned that it makes me happy to be creative, especially when it includes time with my little girl. She is also a creative spirit so I plan to make more time for it for both of us.

2. Learn how to run my blog as a business: This is a biggie for me this year. For those of you who know me in real life, you know that I started this blog as a hobby over 6 years ago. I’ve also treated it like a hobby for almost the entire time (a very time consuming hobby at times), though I have been making some income from it through ads and projects with brands. It’s exciting to see the opportunities bloggers have now to turn their blogs into businesses and be able to work from home full time. Being able to work from home doing something you love is a dream for so many and I feel so blessed and lucky that I have the opportunity sitting right in front of me. I am ready to take that opportunity and make it work to it’s fullest potential for me and my family. That all being said, I don’t really know what I’m doing when it comes to running a business. I don’t understand accounting, I’ve never been comfortable with negotiating, I know nothing about ads (funny to say that since I worked in advertising sales at a major newspaper for 3 years). I’m not very good at keeping up with charts, stats, social media schedules etc etc. I know how to cook, and I know how to blog. I guess it’s time to learn more about the other stuff. And learn what I can do on my own, what I need to outsource and learn what is working and not working. I am reading Click here to view more details” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>How To Monetize Your Food Blog (affiliate link!) to help me with this learning process. I have also signed up for Freshbooks to keep up with invoicing and accounting – super easy to use from what I can already tell.

3. Learn how to manage my time better: This is not something new, but I am determined to learn how to manage my time in a way that I can enjoy life more! Things need to get done, and I need to stop wasting my precious time figuring out what I need to get done. Meaning…I need to start diligently using my planner, calendar and lists to keep myself organized and productive. Not rocket science here, but something I need to learn to get better at. It’s all about working smart not hard, right? And not constantly losing the notebook with your to do list and ideas. πŸ™‚

4. Learn to take better photos: My nephew is a photographer and we have talked about partnering up this year and spending time in the kitchen cooking together as well as with our cameras. I have so much to learn when it comes to photography. It’s not something that’s ever come easy for me, I normally just click and hope for the best. But I’m committed to learning more about the light I have to work with as well as learning to use my camera and lenses better. Right now I’m using a 50mm lens (I have for years) but my nephew has been letting me use his 24-70mm. I want to upgrade my camera this year and purchase a new lens. I’m working my way up that goal. In addition to my nephew, I am reading the e-book Click here to view more details” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Tasty Food Photography (affiliate link!).

5. Learn to cook with new ingredients: There are so many foods that I love to order when I see them on a menu, and I want to start cooking them more at home. I’m really making an effort to try something new in the kitchen frequently, whether it be a new spice or grain or maybe cooking something that isn’t normally in my comfort zone (hello pork tenderloin). I know my husband loves short ribs…and I’ve always wanted to make more recipes with the jar of tahini in my fridge.

Well, there you have it. I’d love to hear what you have planned for yourselves for 2015…do you have a focus word, goals or resolutions that you are working towards?

Shall we talk about this gorgeous Kale, Red Pepper and Goat cheese frittata now?

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata || Aggie's Kitchen

I haven’t made frittatas in forever. A couple of weeks ago I wanted to make one for lunch for my little guy and I. He loves eggs and I’m learning he’ll pretty much eat anything that mixed in with his eggs so why not start making us frittatas more often to keep things a little interesting.

And let’s face it, you can’t go wrong adding goat cheese to any frittata.

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata || Aggie's Kitchen

This Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata looked so festive, especially since I made it right before Christmas. You gotta love the color! Frittatas really are so easy to cook up and are such a healthy option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I’ll be making more of these to lighting things up this month, that’s for sure.

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata || Aggie's Kitchen

Print Recipe

Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata

Yield: serves 2

Prep Time:15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk (I use 2% because that's what my kids drink)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large handful bagged chopped kale, chopped a bit more finely
  • 2 ounces goat cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of oil

Directions:

  1. Preaheat your broiler (use low if you have the option).
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to Β an oven-proof 10 1/2 inch nonstick skillet, over medium heat. Add chopped red pepper and kale and saute for 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add egg and milk mixture to skillet. Let set for a minute. Using a spatula carefully begin to separate egg mixture from side of the pan, tilting pan while doing this so that egg mixture fills the space. Do this all around pan so that frittata cooks up evenly. Continue to do this until most of egg mixture is spread and only a small layer is left on top.
  4. Spread crumbled goat cheese evenly to top of frittata. Place in oven under broiler and let cook for about 3-4 minutes, watching carefully. Let top of frittata cook completely and brown slightly.
  5. Carefully (using a mitt!) take skillet out from oven. Let cool down for a couple of minutes. Slide frittata out onto a plate or cutting board and slice into quarters. Serve warm.

Follow AggiesKitchen on Instagram and show us what recipes you are making from the blog! Use the hashtag #aggieskitchen - I'd love to see what you are cooking up!

More frittatas for you to try:

Garden Black Bean Frittata

Parmesan Potato Frittata

Bacon, Broccoli and Potato Frittata | Foodiecrush

Broccoli Asparagus Frittata | A Mind Full Mom

Southwestern Frittata | Belly Full

For more breakfast ideas follow along on Pinterest. Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Breakfast on Pinterest.

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34 comments on “Kale, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata & 2015 Focus Word”

  1. I SO L O V E this post! “Learn” is such a great 2015 focus. I’m sitting here chewing on all I want to learn this year…. and so so love your 5 areas of focus. It is going to be such a great year and I’m so excited for all that’s to come GirlFriend. PS ~ I am smiling thinking of the day you walked me through how to make my first frittata. πŸ™‚ And by the way? Your pics? Beautiful!

  2. Ohhhhhh I love your focus word!!! A lot!
    I hope your 2015 is full of wonderful learning opportunities!

  3. Great idea for a Focus Word, Aggie!
    I like doing anything with intention, and I like your plans for the year. Good luck with them!
    So far I’ve got “Add more fresh ginger to my life in 2015” and I’m debating getting a bottle of wild truffle oil from Costco to play with.
    Your nephew teaches you photography? My nephew taught me about wild truffle oil. If a 17 yr old will take money from his pizza shop job to buy a bottle . . . maybe I ought to check it out as well.
    The frittata looks delicious–what a great idea!

    • I think I need to add more fresh ginger to my life as well. Seriously. And let me clarify that my nephew is 28ish. πŸ™‚ He took on photography as a hobby a few years ago and has amazing talent. I am hoping he can teach me a few things! Right now he’s lending me his lens to play with. It will be fun to actually have some hands on time with him one day. That is so cool about your nephew turning you on to wild truffle oil…now I am intrigued πŸ™‚ I love young foodies!! Happy New Year Kirsten!

  4. I haven’t made frittatas in a long time, too. On the menu! I love this post, Aggie. I, too, want to learn. Spiritual learning is on the top of my list this year, because then so much of life falls in to place. I sooo remember the season in life you are in, with little ones. It goes by so quickly. EMBRACE every moment! Love you and HAPPY NEW YEAR! PS. I cannot wait for all your delicous recipes this year!

    • Larry and I keep saying how fast Micah is growing up, we look at the older kids and it’s just unbelievable because they were just that age too! Thank you Sandy, it’s going to be a great year! xo

  5. Love your word for the year! I can’t wait to see where 2015 takes you. Let me know if you need any tahini ideas!! Xoxo

  6. I LOVE your word for the year! I really need to learn to manage my time better too…and not waste half my life scrolling through Instagram.
    ALSO, I am LOVING this flavors in this frittata! Pinned πŸ™‚

    • Time management is huge!!! I hate the feeling that I just wasted half the day “scrolling” through something lol. Happy New Year Taylor!! Thanks so much!

  7. Great word for the year!! I need to learn to take better photos stat! Can’t wait to see where the blog goes this year!

    • photography has always been hard for me…my goal is to NOT have 100 pics of one salad to go through to pick 2, lol. Happy New Year Erica! xo

  8. What would life be if we were not constantly learning? Homeschooling allows me to learn everything over again and I love that.
    Just ordered our seeds and Kale was on the list. Having moved to our farm at the end of May, I’m delighted that this year I can actually plan what will be in my garden and make sure I have a winter garden.

    • Seriously! I bet homeschooling really works your brain, I love when my kids bring home things in certain subjects from school and I learn all over again. So excited for you and your garden! My grandpa grew a lot of greens over the winter and it was wonderful. Enjoy!!

  9. I’m excited to see what affect your new focus has on your blog and all the other aspects of your life. I’ve always gravitated towards blogs that are more organic and less “business-y” but so admire those that have figured out the whole business side to it. There is SO much to learn and I’m in that learning process every single day. My husband and I are self-employed and I’ve always done all of the back office stuff so that aspect is not challenging for me. But ads, social media scheduling, and pitching brands – these are definitely things that I’m working on. I might need to pick your brain one of these days πŸ™‚ Great post, Aggie. Happy New Year! And, love this gorgeous frittata!

    • I would love to pick each other’s brains Valerie! I too gravitate toward the more organic blogs as well. My goal is that things carry on as normal with the actual front end of the blog, just me and my recipes though hopefully more consistent. My process and the backend stuff need to get streamlined…more efficient. I need to change my mindset so that my time is better spent I guess.
      Happy New Year to you Valerie!! Hope your family had a great holiday!

  10. I’m loving this frittata AND your focus word. Learn, excellent! I’m thinking on a new camera this year, too. And pork tenderloin…once you give it a shot, you’ll wonder why you ever had anxiety about it. It’s one of our favorite meals, especially grilled with a little caramelized char to it. Happy New Year to you, Aggie! xo

    • I’m definitely going to try that pork tenderloin on the grill. After I made it a couple of times I just laughed at myself about it. My kids go nuts for it and it’s definitely becoming a favorite. Happy new year Brenda! miss ya girl!

  11. Love your one little word for 2015. I’m still working on crafting my post on mine. I would love for us to get to cook together this year and learn something new together! If you ever have “business” questions feel free to ask… I’m still learning this blog as a business thing, too (but I feel like I have it kind of figured out)! My word is balance… Now with Ryder crawling it’s thrown my routine off and I truly need a work/family/me balance!

    • I hope we can get together Katie. I would love to pick your brain, and cook together, wouldn’t that be fun!! And of course our little guys need to meet! Balance. YES! I think balance has been my unofficial “word” for the last few years. When Micah started moving it definitely threw things off for me. And finding time for ourselves personally…that is sometimes the hardest thing.

  12. I love your focus word and that frittata is gorgeous! Pinning!

  13. What an inspiration this post is. I love the idea of having a focus word for the year – and even though it is already into January.. I’m thinking of my own focus word for 2015. Delicious frittata too.. and so healthy!

    • Thank you so much!! Definitely not too late to choose your own word, I actually asked my kids to think of one for themselves yesterday πŸ™‚

  14. I have been craving a frittata and this looks like just the ticket! I wish I could crochet, my grandma tried to teach me when I was young, but I just can’t get the hang of hooking the rows together. Happy New Year Aggie!

  15. I love this recipe and I love you focus word. (And I think you’re way too hard on yourself about the photography. Your photos look great to me.)

    Happy New Year!

  16. I’m really love this post and your sharing your goals with us! I love all of it! Can’t wait to meet up this month with you! πŸ™‚

  17. I love this post! I don’t think this frittata could look any more delicious!

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  20. A bit late to the party on this, but can you please clarify what you mean by 1/4 milk? 1/4 of a cup or 1/4 of a litre?Β