Montana Omelet Recipes

PERFECT OMELET

Steps:

• Beat the eggs: Soak 3 large eggs for 5 minutes in hot-not scalding-tap water. This will ensure that the omelet cooks faster, and the faster an omelet cooks, the more tender it's going to be. Crack the eggs into a small bowl or large bowl-shaped coffee mug. Season with a pinch of fine salt. Beat the eggs gently with a fork.
• TIP: I prefer a fork to a whisk for omelets because I don't want to work air into the eggs: Air bubbles are insulators and can slow down cooking if you're not careful.
• Heat the pan: Heat a 10-inch nonstick saute pan over medium to high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon room-temperature unsalted butter. Once melted, spread the butter around the pan with a basting brush to ensure coverage.
• TIP: Heat your pan empty for a few minutes before adding the butter: Even a nonstick surface is pocked with microscopic pores that eggs can fill and grab hold of. Heat expands the metal, squeezing these openings shut.
• Add the eggs: Pour the eggs into the center of the pan and stir vigorously with a silicone spatula for 5 seconds. (Actually, it's not so much a matter of stirring with the spatula as holding the spatula relatively still and moving the pan around to stir the eggs.)
• Let them cook: As soon as curds begin to form (that's the stuff that looks like scrambled eggs), lift the pan and tilt it around until the excess liquid pours off the top of the curds and into the pan. Then use the spatula to shape the edge and make sure the omelet isn't sticking. Move the spatula around the edge of the egg mixture to help shape it into a round and loosen the edge. Then walk away. That's right-let that omelet sit unaccosted for 10 long seconds so it can develop a proper outer crust. Don't worry: Your patience will be rewarded.
• Finish the omelet: Time for the "jiggle" step: Simply shake the pan gently to make sure the omelet is indeed free of the pan. Lift up the far edge of the pan and snap it back toward you. Then use the spatula to fold over the one-third facing you.
• Change your grip on the pan handle from an overhand to an underhand and move to the plate, which you might want to lube with just a brief brushing of butter to make sure things don't bind up in transit. Slide the one-third farthest from you onto the plate and then ease the fold over. Imagine that you're making a tri-fold wallet out of eggs-because that's exactly what you're doing. And just ease the pan over. There, that wasn't so hard.

PERFECT OMELETS

Steps:

• Have a serving plate ready. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. Season with salt and pepper; whisk in scallions and/or herbs, if using.
• Heat butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, tilting to coat pan; after foaming subsides, whisk eggs again, and add to skillet.
• Cook, stirring quickly with a heatproof rubber spatula, until eggs begin to thicken, about 30 seconds. With spatula, pull edges of omelet in toward center, tilting pan so uncooked eggs flow to edges of pan and underneath omelet. Cook until just set but still loose, 15 to 30 seconds (omelet will continue to cook once removed from heat).
• Sprinkle with filling. Using spatula, loosen omelet from skillet on all sides; shake pan to ensure it is completely released. Tilt pan toward serving plate; with spatula, working from side of skillet that's tilted up, fold 1/3 of omelet over the center.
• Simultaneously slide and roll omelet onto plate so that it folds over on itself again and lands seam side down. Brush or dab lightly with butter; serve immediately.

MONTANA OMELET

Steps:

• Beat eggs, half and half, salt, pepper well or mix in a blender.
• Cook meat, onions and potatoes in butter and oil until onion is tender and potatoes lightly browned.
• Pour egg mixture over all, lifting potatoes to let eggs run under.
• Cook slowly in a covered fry pan until eggs are set, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with cheese and serve.

COUNTRY-STYLE OMELET

Steps:

• Whisk the eggs until frothy and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ham and scallions and cook until the ham is browned and warmed through, then remove to a plate.
• Wipe the pan out and place it back over the heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and swirl around until melted, then add the eggs. Using a rubber spatula, move the outside edges of the eggs inward as they begin to set up. Continue to cook until the eggs are set and begin to get some color. Sprinkle the ham and cheese evenly over the surface of the eggs. When ready to serve, fold the omelet in half and slide out on to a plate.

RANCH OMELET

Steps:

• To make filling: in a saucepan over medium heat, add the refried beans and salsa; stir to combine and cook until thoroughly warmed; set aside.
• To make omelet: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, water, salt, and pepper together.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Melt butter in pan and swirl to coat bottom of pan.
• When butter foams, pour in egg mixture all at once.
• Let set for about 20 seconds or until edges start to cook.
• Using a spatula, gently lift edges of mixture and tilt skillet to allow uncooked egg mixture to flow underneath.
• Continue to do this until the top is almost dry.
• Spoon 1/3 cup of bean mixture over one half of omelet.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese.
• Fold the other side over to cover.
• Let stand for a few seconds to let the cheese melt.
• Turn omelet out onto a warmed plate; garnish with a dollop of sour cream if desired.
• Serve immediately.
• **There is enough bean filling for about 3 omelets or you can serve the extra along with the omelet as a side dish.