“Cook to Thrive” by Natalie Coughlin (Amazon)

“Cook to Thrive” by Natalie Coughlin (Amazon)

Frittata recipe from Olympian Natalie Coughlin’s cookbook

The accomplished athlete presents “Cook to Thrive,” featuring her collection of personal recipes.

  • By Chris Ross The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Wednesday, March 27, 2019 1:30am
  • Life

By Chris Ross / The San Diego Union-Tribune

Natalie Coughlin is best known for her athletic achievements. Competing as a swimmer in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, she won three gold medals, four silvers and five bronze medals. What’s less known about her is that she’s an experienced and passionate home cook.

Coughlin has been a judge on “Iron Chef America.” She also competed in a 2013 version of “Chopped” that featured sports stars, losing in the final round to Danica Patrick. She says she has cooked for herself during her entire swimming career, “developing a diet that could sustain my body for the long term, through demanding training seasons and intense competitions.”

Her first cookbook, “Cook to Thrive,” is a collection of her personal recipes, both “performance-rated dishes” from her Olympic competition days and treasured family recipes.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Coughlin raises chickens at her home in Northern California. With all those eggs, she says she makes a frittata at least once a week.

Asparagus and sweet onion frittata

1 pound asparagus, trimmed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

10 large eggs

1 (5.2-ounce) package Garlic & Herb Boursin cheese

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 large sweet onion, such as Vidalia, thinly sliced (about 2½ cups)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Roast until the spears are cooked through but still have some bite, about 10 minutes (if the spears are quite fat, you may need to cook them longer). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Coarsely chop the asparagus into bite-size pieces.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 3 tablespoons of the Boursin cheese, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper (the Boursin will be pretty chunky; don’t worry about whisking it smooth).

Heat a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. When the foaming subsides, add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and the egg mixture to the skillet and cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the eggs are just barely set and jiggle slightly when you shake the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and use an offset spatula or a knife to release the frittata from the sides of the pan.

Let the frittata cool for 5 minutes before transferring it to a large platter. Slice it into wedges and slather a tablespoon of the Boursin on each slice before serving.

— Reprinted from “Cook to Thrive: Recipes to Fuel Body and Soul” by Natalie Coughlin. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Auston James / Village Theatre
“Jersey Boys” plays at Village Theatre in Everett through May 25.
A&E Calendar for May 15

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Photo courtesy of Historic Everett Theatre
The Elvis Challenge takes place Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre.
A&E Calendar for May 8

Send calendar submissions to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your item is seen by… Continue reading

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV, shown here in the European version (Provided by Mercedes-Benz).
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV has a 54-mile range

The plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV goes a class-leading distance in full electric mode.

RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Provides 39 MPG And 566-Mile Range

Versatile And Functional Compact SUV A Family Pleaser

Photo provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
Subaru Adds Bronze And Onyx Trims to 2025 Ascent

Three-Row Family SUV Delivers Equal Parts Safety And Comfort

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV (Provided by Hyundai).
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid evokes outdoor adventure

Boxy styling leaves lots of room for gear. A refined ride ensures comfort around town.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna minivan in the top-level Platinum grade (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Sienna maintains reputation for fuel efficiency

Every model in the minivan’s lineup has a hybrid powertrain.

An autumn-themed display at Wagner Jewelers in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shine bright with Snohomish County’s top jewelry finds

Three dazzling shops where elegance, craft, and sparkle come together.

The 2025 Lexus TX 350 is a three-row luxury SUV. It’s offered in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling grades (Provided by Lexus).
2025 Lexus TX 350 welcomes new F Sport Handling model

Unique exterior highlights, a glass roof and sport-tuned suspension are among the attractions.

Hybrid Touring Photo Provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Increases Fuel Economy And Range

Sixth-Generation Model Receives Complete Refresh

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.