ASPARAGUS AND SHRIMP FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine the rice with 2/3 cup water and bring to a boil in heavy-bottomed pot. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, cooking a total of 17 minutes.
• Wash and trim asparagus by breaking stalks at the point where the tough woody part meets the tender stalk. Take 1 pound of the asparagus and cut the stalks into 1/4-inch pieces. Steam the asparagus for 3 to 5 minutes, until it is tender but still firm.
• Meanwhile, wash and chop the chives; wash, trim, seed and chop the red pepper into small dices. Wash the thyme and remove leaves from sprigs; cut the shrimp into 1/4-inch pieces; grate the rind of the orange, and grate the cheese.
• Drain the asparagus. Steam the remaining whole asparagus.
• Whisk the eggs and egg whites until they are well beaten. Stir in the chives, red pepper, thyme, shrimp, orange rind, cheese and cut-up asparagus. When rice is cooked, stir in. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a 12-inch nonstick saute pan that can go into the oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and pour egg mixture in the pan, stirring for about a minute. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 minutes longer.
• Drain the whole asparagus.
• Place saute pan in the oven and bake until the eggs set, about 5 minutes. Loosen the frittata and place a serving plate over the pan. Flip the frittata on to the serving plate. Surround with the whole asparagus. Serve with bread.