Classic Omelet With Fresh Thyme And Cheddar Food

THE "RACHAEL" OMELET

Steps:

• Steam the broccoli, either in a microwave or steamer, until tender and reserve.
• Melt the butter in an omelet pan or small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently until the onions soften and the tomato juices evaporate, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli to the pan and season the vegetable mixture with salt and pepper. Pour the eggs over the vegetables. Cook until the eggs begin to set 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the cheeses over the omelet. Cook until the eggs are no longer runny then fold the omelet in half. Raise the heat if the omelet is not brown. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, if necessary, then transfer to a plate and serve with whole-wheat toast and fresh fruit.

CLASSIC OMELETTE

Steps:

• First, prepare the filling. A basic rule of thumb is that you need one quarter to one third cup of filling for every two eggs. If you are using a filling that needs to be cooked - such as apples, mushrooms, onions, peppers, leeks - quickly sauté in a small frying pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter. If you are making a cheese omelette, either slice the cheese thinly or grate it finely and put aside.
• Crack the eggs into a small mixing bowl. Stir gently with a fork until well-beaten. Add the milk or water, salt and pepper, and any herbs, and set aside.
• Heat a 6- to 8-inch omelette pan over high heat until very hot (approximately 30 seconds). Add the butter, making sure it coats the bottom of the pan. As soon as the butter stops bubbling and sizzling (and before it starts to brown), slowly pour in the egg mixture.
• Tilt the pan to spread the egg mixture evenly. Let eggs firm up a little, and after about ten seconds shake the pan a bit and use a spatula to gently direct the mixture away from the sides and into the middle. Allow the remaining liquid to then flow into the space left at the sides of the pan.
• Continue to cook for another minute or so until the egg mixture holds together. While the middle is still a little runny, add the filling. Put in sautéed vegetables or fruit first, near the center, then sprinkle any cheese on top.
• Tilt the pan to one side and use the spatula to fold approximately one third of the omelette over the middle. Shake the pan gently to slide the omelette to the edge of the pan.
• Holding the pan above the serving plate, tip it so the omelette rolls off, folding itself onto the plate. The two edges will be tucked underneath.
• Optional Lowfat Fillings
• Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, rosemary, dill, tarragon, cilantro or chives Smoked salmon and scallions Yukon Gold potatoes and roasted peppers (for a "peasant omelette") Morel mushrooms Ratatouille Asparagus

CLASSIC OMELETTE TECHNIQUE

Steps:

• Break the eggs into a stainless steel bowl and beat with a whisk to a smooth consistency. Salt and pepper can be added now, immediately before cooking to allow full incorporation into the eggs.
• Heat the pan over medium to low heat. Add the butter and allow to heat to a bubbly state without burning or browning. Add the beaten eggs to the pan and immediately begin to stir the eggs in a circular fashion so they do not stick to the bottom at the same time that you shake the pan across the burners. Keep the pan moving, stirring with your spatula, so that as the eggs begin to cook and coagulate, you pull cooked egg from the outer edge of the pan over raw egg in the center.
• When the eggs are half cooked, cease stirring and shaking the pan, and now roll the raw and runny egg outward by twisting your wrist. The uncooked egg will now cook on the bottom and sides of the pan. The entire cooking process will take at most 2 minutes and experience will be the best teacher to master the classic omelette. The omelette should not brown but should stay a beautiful egg golden.
• .Give the pan 1 or 2 good firm raps on the burner and, holding the handle in one hand in an underhanded grip, tilt the handle upward and begin to roll the edge of the omelette furthest away from the serving dish towards the plate. Roll this edge of the omelette one third towards the center, begin to slide the front of the omelette out onto the plate so the leading edge becomes the seam of the omelette and is flatly on the bottom. This will from the perfect oval shaped omelette.
• To make filled omelettes, add cooked vegetables, cheese or meats to the center of the omelette just before you begin to roll the omelette for the finished plate. Always heat fillings separately and cut the meat and cheese thinly enough to be thoroughly heated by the heat from the omelette center.
• Suggested fillings: Sauteed mushrooms and goat cheese, fresh herbs; thyme, chives, tarragon, parsley, sauteed spinach, cheddar cheese and jalapeno pepper, cooked bacon or country ham ratatouille

CLASSIC OMELET WITH FRESH THYME AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Whisk together eggs, thyme, cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
• Add butter and when it begins to foam pour in the egg mixture.
• Lift and lightly swirl pan around so the egg covers the bottom and begins to cook.
• Continue to move the pan around and lift edges of the omelet to let the uncooked egg run to the bottom.
• It is done when the top is just cooked and the bottom is beginning to brown slightly.
• Fold omelet in half and slide onto a serving dish.

FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Combine the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix very well with a fork or a whisk.
• Set a plate by the stove. Heat a small (about 6 inches) seasoned omelet pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is warm, add the butter (it should sizzle gently). Swirl the pan to distribute the butter as it melts. When the butter stops sizzling and the foam subsides add the eggs. Pause to let the eggs heat slightly and then stir vigorously, with a heatproof spatula, making sure you include the sides of the egg mixture occasionally so the omelet cooks evenly. Once the eggs are just set, bang the pan gently on the burner to release the omelet from the pan. Check to see that it is not sticking to the sides or bottom of the pan, if so release the omelet with a heat proof spatula. Hold the pan at a 45-degree angle to the stove and carefully fold the omelet like a business letter. Cook just until the desired degree of doneness lifting the pan or reducing the heat to prevent browning. (A classic omelet doesn't have any browning on it.) Transfer to a warm plate and serve.
• Omelet Filling Suggestions: There are many omelet fillings, both raw and cooked, sweet and savory. Here is a starting point, but feel free to improvise. Once the eggs are set add any of these ingredients before folding. An alternative method, to use with delicate fillings, like creme fraiche and herbs, fresh fruits or caviar; is it to roll the omelet and then slice the top open, as you would a baked potato, and then fill it.
• - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, like Italian parsley, basil, dill, tarragon, chives, thyme, and chervil. Use the herbs alone or in combination, like the classic combination fine herbs (equal parts parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon.) Brush the finished omelet with butter and sprinkle with additional herbs. Herbs can also be added to the omelet mixture to flavor the eggs more fully.
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons cooked vegetables like, chopped asparagus, spinach or other greens, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant or peppers
• - 2 tablespoons diced fresh tomato or avocado
• - 2 tablespoons grated cheese, like Gruyere, Goat cheese, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Feta
• - 1 tablespoon currant jelly, then dust omelet with confectioner's sugar
• - 2 tablespoons chopped proscuitto or other ham, crumbled cooked bacon or other cured meat
• - 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped smoked salmon or trout, with a tablespoon sour cream, cream cheese or creme fraiche
• - 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced apples, pears or strawberries, alone or with a complimentary cheese

SOUFFLE OMELETTE WITH ZUCCHINI AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, artichoke and tomato. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Set aside.
• Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until they form soft peaks. Add the whole eggs, salt and pepper; stir.
• Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add the egg mixture. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottom.
• Using a spatula, slide omelet onto a plate. Return it to the pan with the cooked side facing up; cook 10 to 12 minutes, until golden.
• Place vegetable mixture and cheese on half the egg and fold it over to enclose the filling. Press down lightly with the spatula until it holds the shape and the cheese melts.

FRESH HERBS OMELET

Steps:

• Break 2 eggs into a bowl and beat with a fork or a whisk until frothy. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon salt), and 2 teaspoons milk. Whisk half the herbs into the eggs and mix well.
• Heat an 8-inch nonstick omelet pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. When the oil feels hot when you hold your hand above it, pour in the eggs, scraping every last bit into the pan. Swirl the pan to distribute the eggs evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the omelet with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. As soon as the eggs are set on the bottom, jerk the pan quickly away from you then back towards you so that the omelet folds over on itself. Tilt the pan and roll out onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs and herbs, and serve.

MUSHROOM SWISS CHEESE OMELET

Steps:

• Stir cream into eggs.
• Sauté mushrooms and garlic in the butter, about 5-7 minutes in a 9-inch omelet. Add pepper flakes to taste, sprinkle in the chives and thyme.
• Stir the beaten eggs into the mushrooms over medium-high heat.
• Heat the remaining butter in pan over medium heat.
• Stir the eggs briskly with flat of a fork and continue stirring until mixture is nearly cooked, but still wet, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the surface before folding.
• Flipping one side over onto the other. If you have a hard time flipping you can cut in half then flip.
• Garnish with additional chives.