Omelet Lorraine 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.

OMELET LORRAINE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the eggs, milk, onion, salt and pepper. Lightly grease a 10-in. nonstick skillet and place over medium heat. Add egg mixture. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. , When eggs are set, sprinkle bacon, cheese and parsley over 1 side; fold omelet over filling. Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.

OMELET LORRAINE

Steps:

• Make the filling: in a small bowl, combine bacon, cheese, and green onion.
• Make the omelet: in a bowl, whisk the eggs, water, salt, nutmeg, and cayenne together.
• Heat an 8-inch omelet pan over medium heat.
• Add butter; swirl to coat bottom of pan.
• When butter foams, pour in egg mixture all at once.
• Let set until edges begin to cook, about 20 seconds.
• With a spatula, gently lift edges of mixture and tip skillet to let the uncooked egg mixture flow underneath.
• Continue to do this until the top is almost dry, 3-4 minutes.
• Spoon filling over ½ of the omelet; fold the other side over to cover.
• Let stand for a few seconds to let cheese melt.
• Turn out onto a warmed plate; garnish with parsley and serve.

CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Use a fork to whisk until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute; stir in a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. To make clarified butter: In a small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter over medium heat and bring to a simmer, 5-7 minutes. As white foam collects on the surface, skim off with a small ladle or spoon and discard; these are the milk solids. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue skimming until the butter is clear. Pour the clarified butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to catch the smaller milk solids, and set aside. (Note: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, allowing for cooking at higher temperatures. Clarified butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several months.)
• Heat a 10-inch nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon clarified butter and swirl to coat to bottom. When the pan is hot, pour in the eggs and begin quickly and gently shaking the pan. While shaking, stir the eggs with a heatproof spatula, using small circular movements to loosen the curds and lightly scramble, about 20 seconds. The constant movement should prevent any part of the eggs from overcooking or taking on color.
• When the eggs are creamy and still only partly cooked, shake the pan to level the omelette. Turn the heat to low. Tilt the pan slightly and begin rolling the omelette: first, loosen the edge closest to the handle, then roll it toward the middle. (The cooked side should show no browning.) When the omelette is half-rolled, run the spatula around the far edge to release the eggs from the pan. Then tilt the pan more sharply and tap it firmly on the stovetop (or a cutting board) to loosen the omelette. Bang on the handle with your free hand to help the far edge begin to roll up; use the spatula as needed to tuck it toward the center of the omelette. Add butter to the pan and let it melt along the exterior of the omelette.
• Gently flip the omelette onto a plate, seam side down. Use your hands or a spatula to gently perfect the shape and tuck in any loose edges. Serve immediately.