Not Your Average 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.

NOT-YOUR-AVERAGE OMELET

Steps:

• Whisk eggs, water, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a bowl.
• Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add egg mixture. Reduce heat to low; pull eggs from the side gently so that liquid can get to the bottom of the pan. Cook until mostly set, about 2 minutes; add chicken, cream cheese, and avocado.
• Fold in half, and cook until eggs are completely set, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Cut in half; transfer to two plates and top with salsa. Season with salt and pepper.

BAKED VEGETABLE OMELET

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Shred vegetables on a course grater or in a food processor. Squeeze as much moisture as possible from zucchini.
• In a large bowl beat eggs, then mix in vegetables and remaining ingredients except for butter.
• Grease a 9- or 10-inch casserole or deep glass pie pan. Fill with egg mixture, dot with butter and bake about 30 minutes until firm.
• Let cool 5 minutes before cutting. This dish is best served warm, not hot.

FLUFFY, CREAMY, NO-FAIL OMELET

Steps:

• In a medium bowl whisk cream cheese (try the flavored ones!), eggs and water until well blended; stir in the shredded cheese and onions (or try other veggies).
• Melt butter in a nonstick skillet on medium. Pour in omelet mixture.
• Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until set: Lift the edges with a spatula and tilt the pan to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath to cook.
• It's done when firm but still slightly moist on the top - use your spatula and tip the pan to fold the omelet in half (the top will finish cooking once folded).
• Slide onto a plate and cut in half to serve.