Basque Potato Tortilla Recipes

BASQUE POTATO TORTILLA

Steps:

• You will need a heavy skillet with a diameter or 9 to 10 inches (Dorie uses a cast-iron skillet; smaller is better than larger).
• Choose a skillet with a handle that can go under the broiler (if you are not sure, wrap the handle in foil).
• Pour about 2 tablespoons oil into the skillet and warm it over medium heat.
• Add the potatoes and onion, garlic and rosemary if using; turn the ingredients around until they glisten with oil.
• Season with salt and pepper; decrease the heat and cook slowly until the potatoes are golden and cooked through, about 20 minutes; you should be able to pierce the potatoes easily with the tip of a knife.
• Discard the garlic and rosemary and transfer the potatoes and onion to a bowl.
• Carefully wipe the skillet with a paper towel (if anything has stuck to the bottom of the pan, you should wash it--you need a clean surface so the tortilla will unmold easily).
• Position broiler rack so that when you slide the skillet onto it, the pan will be about 6 inches from the heat source; preheat broiler.
• In a big bowl, beat the eggs with salt and pepper to taste and the cayenne, then stir in the potatoes and onion.
• Put the skillet over med-high heat and pour in about 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.
• When the oil is hot, add the eggs and potatoes to the pan.
• Immediately lower the heat, and let the eggs cook, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes.
• Run a silicone spatula or a table knife around the edges of the pan to release the tortilla, then cover the pan and cook slowly for another 8-10 minutes, or until the top is almost set--there will be a circle of liquid or jiggly egg at the center.
• Every couple of minutes, run your spatula around the sides of the pan and just under the tortilla to keep it from sticking.
• Slide the pan under the broiler and cook until the top of the tortilla is set; check it after 1 minute, and then keep checking--it can go fast.
• Transfer the tortilla to a serving platter and allow it to cool to room temperature before cutting and serving it.

BASQUE-STYLE TORTILLA WITH TUNA AND TAPENADE

Steps:

• Char peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and chop peppers. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and next 4 ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 25 minutes to blend flavors. Stir in roasted peppers. Increase heat and boil uncovered until juices evaporate, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk eggs, salt and pepper in bowl to blend. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large deep nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat. Add half of eggs; cook without stirring until edges begin to set, about 1 minute. Spread pepper mixture over. Sprinkle tuna over; spoon tapenade over. Pour remaining eggs over. Place in oven and bake until eggs are set, about 12 minutes.
• Run rubber spatula around sides of tortilla to loosen. Slide out onto platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

POTATO TORTILLA

Steps:

• Spread potatoes in a heavy flameproof casserole, cover with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread onion on top. Place over medium-high heat until oil bubbles. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring gently once or twice, until potatoes are tender but not broken, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Place a mesh colander over a heatproof bowl, and drain potatoes and onion, reserving oil. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. Add potato mixture to eggs and stir gently to combine.
• Place an 8-inch nonstick pan or well-seasoned skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons reserved olive oil. Add one-third of the potato mixture and stir with wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until egg is barely set, about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add another one-third of the mixture and stir for 15 seconds. Add remaining third and stir two or three times. Gently pat mixture to flatten it, and allow it sit until the top is loose, the center is somewhat firm and the bottom is firm (pale golden, not golden brown), about 30 seconds.
• Run a spatula around perimeter of tortilla, shaking pan to be sure edges and bottom are free. Place a small flat plate that fits securely inside pan directly on top of tortilla. Wearing a kitchen mitt, grasp handle close to pan. In one quick movement, flip tortilla onto plate.
• Quickly wipe out pan, add 2 tablespoons reserved olive oil, and return pan to medium-low heat until reheated. Slide tortilla back into reheated pan so the bottom is now the top. Pat down to compact layers of potatoes and eliminate air bubbles. When tortilla is set and bottom and edges are free of pan, use spatula or spoon to turn in the edges to give tortilla a more compact, attractive, shape. If desired, tortilla can be allowed to rest for 5 minutes on lowest possible heat, before turning onto a serving plate.
• To serve, slice hot tortilla in large wedges. It may also be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, then served cold with mayonnaise.