Classic Spanish Omelette The Tortilla Food

SPANISH OMELETTE (TORTILLA ESPAñOLA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a knife, peel the onion (discard onion skin in a bowl for easy clean-up), then remove both ends and cut in a medium dice. Heat a non-stick, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil followed by chopped onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Stir the onions occasionally as they cook.
• Slice the potato (leave peel on), then dice the same size as the onions (cut away and discard any blemishes on the potato). Set aside. Crack eggs into a bowl, whisk and set aside. When onions are lightly caramelized, remove from heat. Place a strainer over a bowl and strain the onions from the oil, reserving oil. Set onions aside. Place oil back into the pan, turn heat to high until oil is slightly smoking, 2-3 minutes (hot oil will keep the potatoes from sticking). Add potatoes and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir and cook until potatoes are soft and golden brown, 7-8 minutes (test for doneness by tasting one!).
• Strain potatoes from the oil, reserving oil. Add potatoes to the onions and keep the skillet warm over low heat (It's important to have no trace of onions or potatoes in the skillet or the omelette will stick). Stir beaten eggs into the potato onion mixture. Turn heat to high, add about 1 tablespoon of the oil back to the pan. When the oil begins to smoke, add egg mixture. Using a rubber spatula gently move the eggs around in the pan to distribute the heat. Turn heat to low and let the omelette set around the edges, 1-2 minutes. Transfer omelette to the oven. It will bake a total of 4-5 minutes. First, to set the eggs, 2- 2 ½ minutes.
• When the omelette is set all over, remove from the oven to flip and cook on the other side. Shake slightly to make sure it isn't sticking to the sides. Using a rubber spatula, gently remove the omelette from the skillet onto a plate. Cover with the other plate and flip over. Using a rubber spatula, gently place back into the pan, bottom-side up and back into the oven, about 2 more minutes.
• Remove omelette from oven. Using a rubber spatula, slide onto a plate. Serve.

CLASSIC SPANISH OMELETTE: THE TORTILLA

Steps:

• Wash and peel the potatoes, then sliced them using a mandolin for thinner slices or a sharp knife for thicker ones. Finely chop the onion (I sliced it).
• Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook potatoes and onion, continuously stirring, until potatoes are cooked but not too tender.
• Remove the excess oil and keep aside.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs with salt and pepper. Transfer the cooled down potatoes in this bowl. Mix well add rosemary.
• Warm a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in the frying pan and cook the mixture potatoes/eggs for 5-8 minutes or until golden. Do not stir. Then with the help of a flat plate flip the tortilla of potatoes and cook the other side.
• Serve warm or cold, cut into slices or cubes, together with a salad.

SPANISH TORTILLA OMELET

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil, over medium heat and add the potatoes. Season the water with salt, to taste, and cook until a knife inserted into the center of a potato meets some resistance, about 5 minutes. Drain well and put the potatoes onto a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
• Heat the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and canola oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat until the butter begins to sizzle. Add the par-boiled potatoes, season them with salt and black pepper, to taste, and the smoked paprika and fry until they are golden brown. Line the same baking sheet with clean paper towels and transfer the potatoes from the skillet with a slotted spoon to the sheet.
• Melt some additional butter to a 6-inch nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Season the beaten eggs with salt and black pepper, to taste, the fresh parsley and thyme leaves. Add 1/4 of the mixture, about 3 eggs, to the pan, and lightly scramble them using a fork. Spoon a line, along the center of the omelet with some of the piquillo peppers, Manchego cheese, soft goat cheese, if using, and the potatoes. Roll the finished omelet onto a serving platter and garnish it with some parsley and thyme sprigs.

REAL SPANISH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Scrape the new potatoes or leave the skins on, if you prefer. Cut them into thick slices. Chop the onion.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large frying pan, add the potatoes and onion and stew gently, partially covered, for 30 mins, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are softened. Strain the potatoes and onion through a colander into a large bowl (set the strained oil aside).
• Beat the eggs separately, then stir into the potatoes with the parsley and plenty of salt and pepper. Heat a little of the strained oil in a smaller pan.
• Tip everything into the pan and cook on a moderate heat, using a spatula to shape the omelette into a cushion.
• When almost set, invert on a plate and slide back into the pan and cook a few more minutes.
• Invert twice more, cooking the omelette briefly each time and pressing the edges to keep the cushion shape. Slide on to a plate and cool for 10 mins before serving.

SPANISH OMELETTE (TORTILLA DE PATATAS) (SPAIN)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices carefully, because the salt will make the oil splatter.
• Try to keep the potato slices separated so they will not stick together. Cook, turning occasionally, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Add the onions and garlic and cook until the potatoes are tender.
• Drain into a colander, leaving about 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt.
• Add the potatoes, and stir to coat with the egg.
• Add the egg-coated potatoes to the very hot oil in the skillet, spreading them evenly to completely cover the base of the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, shaking the pan frequently, until mixture is half set.
• Use a plate to cover the skillet and invert the omelette away from the hand holding the plate (so as not to burn your hand with any escaping oil).
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and slide the omelette back into the skillet on its uncooked side.
• Cook until completely set.
• Allow the omelette to cool, and then cut it into wedges.
• Season it with salt and sprinkle with lemon juice to taste if using.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

TORTILLA ESPANOLA: SPANISH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Crack the eggs into a bowl. Whisk with a fork and add a pinch of salt.
• Heat some oil in a frying pan (not one with a heavy base as this will prove to be a hindrance when preparing to do the flip).
• Add the potato and fry for a couple of minutes. Add the onion and mash together.
• When the potato starts to brown a little on the edges and is mashed up with the onion in a lumpy fashion then add the eggs. Make sure the potato and onions are fully submerged by the eggs. Poke the potato to allow some of the egg to seep into the mashed mixture.
• Fry this gently on a low heat. While cooking shake the pan to loosen the tortilla from the base and tidy the edges up with a wooden spoon. Do not over cook. The middle is meant to remain runny and gooey.
• The egg will start setting, as this happens place a plate over the pan, a large enough plate to cover the pan substantially, and with a quick co-ordinated movement of both wrists ?flip? the tortilla over onto the plate and slide back into the pan to cook the underside.
• Keep shaking the pan lightly so the tortilla does not stick to the bottom.
• Once it feels firm on the edges and soft in the middle (after about 1 minute) then slide the tortilla back onto the plate. For the brave heart you can do the flip again if you wish.
• Let the tortilla rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Cut into cake slices or cubes. Garnish with green olives.

SPANISH OMELET-TORTILLA ESPAñOLA

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.