This month the Box of Wine Book Club is reading Julie & Julia, a book about a woman who decides to prepare all of the recipe's in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time.  Normally I read the book selection in the first few days of the month and try not to add comments that will serve as a spoiler for those members who have not yet finished the book.  This month, I'm slacking and am not yet halfway through the book.

I have, however, reached the point where Julie explains her hatred for eggs and how she must overcome it to get through the entire chapter on omelettes in Julia's cookbook.  It was at this point in the book where I could most relate to the author.  I, too, really hate eggs. 

I didn't always hate eggs.  I used to eat fried egg sandwiches with ketchup, scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs at Easter, and an occasional omelette.  But about 20 years ago I began to really hate the taste of eggs.  I could eat food if eggs were inside but all mixed up so as not to resemble an egg.  Foods like cake or pasta were fine, egg bake was not.  Inspired by Julie's attempts and an email I received from Williams-Sonoma with a delicious-looking recipe, I decided to try it and see if I could eat an egg-food without turning up my nose, gagging, or feeling vomity all day.

Doesn't this look delicious?  After some initial confusion regarding the name, I decided to make Williams-Sonoma's Tortilla Espanola with Chorizo. 

Except, of course, I had to make a few changes.  I don't have a dual fritatta pan, so I couldn't exactly follow the instructions.  And, chorizo can sometimes be too spicy for my kids so I decided to go with mild Italian sausage instead.  After making it, there are a few other changes I'd make as well.  That's right - the next time I make it!  I ate a serving of the dish and thought it was tasty.  I didn't even have to stop breathing to avoid egg fumes.

Here's my modified version which has changed so much by now that I'm renaming it Jennie's Italian-Style Egg Bake.  It is only partially tested because as I was eating it I thought of a few things that might make it even better.  So if you try this, let me know what you think.

Side Note: Anyone interested in joining the Box of Wine Book Club, visit our site for more details.  The next book, along with its wine pairing, will be announced on Sept. 1.  It's a laid back kind of book club, where you participate if you feel like it, add comments only if you want to, and you never have to clean all day because you have to host a party in your living room.