Traditional Parisian Omelet Recipes

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

A CLASSIC FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Add the olive oil to a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat - do not overheat the oil, if it is too hot the egg will set immediately after it hits the pan and then will be too hard.
• Whisk the eggs until they are frothy - it is important to not add salt or pepper at this stage of the recipe.
• Stir half of the cold butter into the eggs.
• Add the remaining butter to the skillet and swirl it with the oil until it melts and becomes cloudy and bubbly.
• Pour the eggs into the hot skillet and cook, moving a fork quickly through the eggs in small circles and zigzags until the eggs are approximately 80% cooked through.
• Smooth down the top surface of the eggs with the back of a large spoon or a small offset spatula.
• Season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese and chopped herbs on the eggs and cover with a lid.
• Turn off the heat and allow the omelet to continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on how firm you want your eggs.
• Tilt the skillet to the side a bit and, using a rubber spatula, carefully ease the omelet out of the pan and onto a warmed serving plate.
• Gently roll the omelet into the traditional tube shape. Serve with a fresh green salad lightly dressed with French dressing.

THE FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• The most practical tool for making an omelet is a table fork. Combine eggs, water, and salt in a bowl and briskly whisk with fork just until yolks and whites are thoroughly blended.
• One secret to a light, fluffy omelet is not overmixing. Stop whisking when eggs drip smoothly and cohesively from fork tines. If eggs are room temperature, yolks and whites will combine more readily.
• Whisk in cubed butter and herbs. The combination complements the flavor of the eggs instead of overpowering it: Unsalted butter adds a creamy richness, while tender herbs add freshness.
• Place a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 30 seconds. Add remaining butter and melt, swirling to coat pan. Add egg mixture and cook, undisturbed, until edges begin to set, about 10 seconds.
• Holding fork flat, stir eggs thoroughly in a figure-eight pattern with one hand while shaking skillet back and forth with the other. Keep incorporating set edges into runny center. This takes just 25 to 30 seconds.
• Turn off heat while eggs still look slightly wet. Tilt skillet away from you until omelet slides up far edge. Loosen side of omelet nearest you and roll with fork 2 or 3 times toward center.
• After folding far edge of omelet into center as well, press down gently to seal with fork. Invert, seam side down, onto a warm plate. The residual heat in the omelet will cook it a bit more.
• The added value of a warm plate: If you want to serve two, your first effort will keep nicely while you make another. Then season with pepper, sprinkle with remaining herbs, and serve immediately.

ULTIMATE FRENCH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Get everything ready. Warm a 20cm (measured across the top) non-stick frying pan on a medium heat. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork so they break up and mix, but not as completely as you would for scrambled egg. With the heat on medium-hot, drop one knob of butter into the pan. It should bubble and sizzle, but not brown. Season the eggs with the parmesan and a little salt and pepper, and pour into the pan.
• Let the eggs bubble slightly for a couple of seconds, then take a wooden fork or spatula and gently draw the mixture in from the sides of the pan a few times, so it gathers in folds in the centre. Leave for a few seconds, then stir again to lightly combine uncooked egg with cooked. Leave briefly again, and when partly cooked, stir a bit faster, stopping while there's some barely cooked egg left. With the pan flat on the heat, shake it back and forth a few times to settle the mixture. It should slide easily in the pan and look soft and moist on top. A quick burst of heat will brown the underside.
• Grip the handle underneath. Tilt the pan down away from you and let the omelette fall to the edge. Fold the side nearest to you over by a third with your fork, and keep it rolling over, so the omelette tips onto a plate - or fold it in half, if that's easier. For a neat finish, cover the omelette with a piece of kitchen paper and plump it up a bit with your fingers. Rub the other knob of butter over to glaze. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC OMELETTE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, beat the eggs.
• Melt the butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat.
• Pour in the beaten eggs. Stir and shake the pan, moving the eggs around until a few curds form. Reduce the heat to low, then flatten the eggs until the still-runny egg covers the entire bottom of the pan. Add any fillings that you would like.
• Let the omelette cook until the eggs are fully set, 1-2 minutes, then gently roll the omelette and transfer to a plate. The surface should be smooth with no color.
• Sprinkle with chives, if desired.
• Enjoy!

CLASSIC OMELETTE

Steps:

• First, prepare the filling. A basic rule of thumb is that you need one quarter to one third cup of filling for every two eggs. If you are using a filling that needs to be cooked - such as apples, mushrooms, onions, peppers, leeks - quickly sauté in a small frying pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter. If you are making a cheese omelette, either slice the cheese thinly or grate it finely and put aside.
• Crack the eggs into a small mixing bowl. Stir gently with a fork until well-beaten. Add the milk or water, salt and pepper, and any herbs, and set aside.
• Heat a 6- to 8-inch omelette pan over high heat until very hot (approximately 30 seconds). Add the butter, making sure it coats the bottom of the pan. As soon as the butter stops bubbling and sizzling (and before it starts to brown), slowly pour in the egg mixture.
• Tilt the pan to spread the egg mixture evenly. Let eggs firm up a little, and after about ten seconds shake the pan a bit and use a spatula to gently direct the mixture away from the sides and into the middle. Allow the remaining liquid to then flow into the space left at the sides of the pan.
• Continue to cook for another minute or so until the egg mixture holds together. While the middle is still a little runny, add the filling. Put in sautéed vegetables or fruit first, near the center, then sprinkle any cheese on top.
• Tilt the pan to one side and use the spatula to fold approximately one third of the omelette over the middle. Shake the pan gently to slide the omelette to the edge of the pan.
• Holding the pan above the serving plate, tip it so the omelette rolls off, folding itself onto the plate. The two edges will be tucked underneath.
• Optional Lowfat Fillings
• Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, rosemary, dill, tarragon, cilantro or chives Smoked salmon and scallions Yukon Gold potatoes and roasted peppers (for a "peasant omelette") Morel mushrooms Ratatouille Asparagus

TRADITIONAL PARISIAN OMELET

Steps:

• Place a saute pan over medium heat.
• Using a fork, mix your eggs together with salt and pepper in a bowl and then add the herbs. Make sure your eggs are well mixed, with no long strands of egg white hanging off of the fork.
• When the pan is hot, add the butter and swirl it around until it's melted and has evenly coated the pan. Add all of your egg mixture and using a fork, continue to scramble the eggs in the pan, breaking up any large lumps that want to form as the eggs set. This will take about 30 seconds. Next, shake out the pan slightly so the eggs settle into an even layer with small curds. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for another 30 seconds until just set. Begin to loosen the sides and roll the omelet on to itself then flip out on to a plate. Serve immediately and enjoy!

FRENCH-STYLE OMELET

Steps:

• Crack eggs into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Beat eggs back and forth with a fork to break them up and mix thoroughly until whites and yolks are indistinguishable from one another and they resemble foamy orange juice.
• Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add butter and swirl until melted and foamy but not browned. If butter begins to brown, the pan is too hot.
• Pour eggs into skillet; it should be hot enough that eggs begin to curl up around the edges. Agitate the pan and move the eggs with a spatula as if you are giving them a light scramble, until a little creamy and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. The entire bottom of the pan should be covered with egg. Turn off heat and add desired fillings.
• Hold the handle of the skillet and place skillet edge in the middle of a plate. Flip one end of the omelet over with your hand or a spatula to partly cover the filling. Next, using your hand or a spatula, gently roll omelet over again. Gently shake skillet and nudge it onto the plate with spatula or hand so that it is seam-side down. When omelet is out of skillet, form the omelet on the plate with your hand, tucking in the sides to make a plump oval packet. The top of the omelet will be fluffy and blond without any browning and ends hidden underneath.

CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Add the eggs, water, and salt to a medium bowl. Use a wire whisk or fork to beat until the whites and the yolks are completely combined, with no spots of egg white remaining. The mixture should flow off the whisk evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until it starts to foam, but does not brown, about 1 minute. Pour in the eggs. Using a rubber spatula, constantly scrape the bottom of the pan while also moving it in a circular motion to ensure that the eggs cook slowly, forming only small curds, 1-2 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides of the pan to incorporate the wispy edges back into the center of the omelette. Once the eggs are softly scrambled and look creamy and custardy, 2-3 minutes more, stop stirring and reduce the heat to low. Use the spatula to smooth the surface in an even layer. You can also gently shake the skillet to settle any uncooked egg. The surface should look wet, but not runny.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let sit for 1 minute to ensure the omelette will hold its shape.
• Gently begin to roll up one side of the omelette. Slide ½ tablespoon of butter into the pan to help release the rest of the omelette from the surface. Continue rolling into a cylinder shape, then invert onto a plate, seam-side down.
• Brush the exterior of the omelette with the remaining ½ tablespoon butter. Garnish with chives and flaky salt.
• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

TRADITIONAL SPANISH OMELETTE

Steps:

• Wash and peel potatoes, cut into quarters and slice thinly.
• Place in a large bowl.
• Slice the onion and cut capsicum into thick slices and add to the potatoes.
• Add some salt to taste and mix.
• Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the potato, onion and capsicum together until potatoes are soft.
• Remove and drain on paper towel.
• Set aside.
• Beat eggs in another bowl and add the potato mixture.
• Add a salt to taste and pepper, finely chopped garlic and mix inches.
• Mixture should appear as though it is just coating the potato. If mixture is too dry, add another egg.
• On a medium heat, in a non-stick pan, spray with a little oil and add the mixture.
• Cook the mixture until egg looks cooked on bottom-- enough to be able flip over onto a plate and then sliding the mixture back into the pan to cook the other side. Do not overcook egg as it will then become dry. This is a recipe that needs practice until it is just right.
• Serve while hot with a salad and crusty bread or cut into 2 inch squares for appetisers.
• Can also be served cold.

PERSIAN OMELET

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, shallow pan that can be used under the broiler.
• Add the leeks and fry them gently for about 5 minutes, until they are just beginning to soften.
• If using fresh spinach, add it to the pan containing the leeks and cook for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat, until spinach has just wilted.
• Beat the eggs with a whisk, in a large bowl.
• Add the leek and spinach mixture (or the leeks with the thawed frozen spinach), then stir in the scallions, with all the herbs and nuts.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the mixture into the pan and cover with a lid or foil.
• Cook over very gently heat for 25 minutes, or until set.
• Remove the lid and brown the top under a hot broiler.
• Serve cut into 8 wedges with a green salad, or serve cut into small bite sized pieces as an appetizer.
• Can be served hot or cold.