Savory French Omelet Recipes

SAVORY FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Crumble cooked bacon;.
• set aside. Add 1 tablespoon oil to bacon drippings.
• Add potatoes.
• and leek; saute until tender. Stir in crumbled bacon; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat together eggs, salt and white pepper. Stir in sauteed-potato mixture and cheese.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet. Pour in egg mixture. Cook over low heat until underside is browned and top is soft and moist. Sprinkle chopped parsley over top.
• Fold cooked omelet in half. Use a broad spatula to place omelet on a platter.
• Garnish with parsley sprig.
• If desired, cook 4 small omelets instead of 1 large omelet.

FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Combine the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix very well with a fork or a whisk.
• Set a plate by the stove. Heat a small (about 6 inches) seasoned omelet pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is warm, add the butter (it should sizzle gently). Swirl the pan to distribute the butter as it melts. When the butter stops sizzling and the foam subsides add the eggs. Pause to let the eggs heat slightly and then stir vigorously, with a heatproof spatula, making sure you include the sides of the egg mixture occasionally so the omelet cooks evenly. Once the eggs are just set, bang the pan gently on the burner to release the omelet from the pan. Check to see that it is not sticking to the sides or bottom of the pan, if so release the omelet with a heat proof spatula. Hold the pan at a 45-degree angle to the stove and carefully fold the omelet like a business letter. Cook just until the desired degree of doneness lifting the pan or reducing the heat to prevent browning. (A classic omelet doesn't have any browning on it.) Transfer to a warm plate and serve.
• Omelet Filling Suggestions: There are many omelet fillings, both raw and cooked, sweet and savory. Here is a starting point, but feel free to improvise. Once the eggs are set add any of these ingredients before folding. An alternative method, to use with delicate fillings, like creme fraiche and herbs, fresh fruits or caviar; is it to roll the omelet and then slice the top open, as you would a baked potato, and then fill it.
• - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, like Italian parsley, basil, dill, tarragon, chives, thyme, and chervil. Use the herbs alone or in combination, like the classic combination fine herbs (equal parts parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon.) Brush the finished omelet with butter and sprinkle with additional herbs. Herbs can also be added to the omelet mixture to flavor the eggs more fully.
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons cooked vegetables like, chopped asparagus, spinach or other greens, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant or peppers
• - 2 tablespoons diced fresh tomato or avocado
• - 2 tablespoons grated cheese, like Gruyere, Goat cheese, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Feta
• - 1 tablespoon currant jelly, then dust omelet with confectioner's sugar
• - 2 tablespoons chopped proscuitto or other ham, crumbled cooked bacon or other cured meat
• - 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped smoked salmon or trout, with a tablespoon sour cream, cream cheese or creme fraiche
• - 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
• - 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced apples, pears or strawberries, alone or with a complimentary cheese

CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE WITH SIDE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the Dijon mustard, shallot and red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and 3 tablespoons chives. Set aside.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch nonstick pan over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the eggs and the cold cubed butter, and begin to stir with a rubber spatula. Continue to stir until the eggs are half set, then reduce the heat to low.
• When the omelette is soft, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with the cheese on one side. Let the omelette sit over low heat, without touching it, for 1 minute, to let the heat of the pan set the eggs. Roll the omelette over the cheese so it forms a jelly roll shape, then roll the whole omelette onto a large dish. Lightly spread the remaining tablespoon butter over the omelette to coat. Toss the lettuce with the vinaigrette and serve alongside the omelette. Garnish the omelette with the remaining tablespoon chives.

FRENCH ONION OMELET

Steps:

• In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet heat oil over medium heat.
• Add red onion, shallots (if desired, and sugar. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender and golden, stirring often.
• Remove 1/4 cup cooked onion mixture and set aside.
• Stir green onion, mustard, and thyme into skillet.
• In a bowl beat together eggs, water, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in 1/3 cup of the cheese.
• Pour into skillet.
• Bake in a 375°F for 15 minutes or until set.
• Top with remaining cheese and reserved onion mixture.
• Cut into wedges.
• Makes 6 main-dish servings.

PERFECT FRENCH OMELET (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• Cut 1 tablespoon butter in half again. Cube remaining tablespoon butter into small dice, transfer to small bowl, and place in freezer while preparing eggs and skillet, at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place oil in 8-inch nonstick skillet and heat over low heat 10 minutes.
• Crack 2 eggs into medium bowl and separate third egg; reserve white for another use and add yolk to bowl. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt and pinch of pepper. Break yolks with fork, then beat eggs at moderate pace, about 80 strokes, until yolks and whites are well combined. Stir in half of frozen butter cubes.
• When skillet is fully heated, use paper towels to wipe out oil, leaving thin film on bottom and sides of skillet. Add ½ tablespoon reserved butter piece to skillet and heat until foaming subsides, 45 to 90 seconds. Swirl butter to coat skillet, add egg mixture, and increase heat to medium-high. Following photos above, use 2 chopsticks or wooden skewers to scramble eggs using quick circular motion to move around skillet, scraping cooked egg from side of skillet as you go, until eggs are almost cooked but still slightly runny, 45 to 90 seconds. Turn off heat (remove skillet from heat if using electric burner) and smooth eggs into even layer using rubber spatula. Sprinkle omelet with 1 tablespoon cheese and 2 teaspoons chives. Cover skillet with tight-fitting lid and let sit 1 minute for runnier omelet and 2 minutes for firmer omelet.
• Heat skillet over low heat 20 seconds, uncover, and, using rubber spatula, loosen edges of omelet from skillet. Place folded square of paper towel onto warmed plate and slide omelet out of skillet onto paper towel so that omelet lies flat on plate and hangs about 1 inch off paper towel. Roll omelet into neat cylinder and set aside. Return skillet to low heat and heat 2 minutes before repeating instructions for second omelet starting with step 2. Serve.