Hints and tips for omlettes

[Tak]

I have only ever made an omelette once before and while it tasted yum it kinda fell apart and didn't look very appetising.

When Mic is on nights tomorrow I'm going to be having another go and was wondering if anyone has any tips.

Not sure what type of omelette I'll be attempting yet but it'll probably be something with cheese

[Dymetrie]

Finely chop up some onion, bacon and mushrooms...

Fry them off gently then divide them into 2 piles on either side of the pan (pretty much so there is a gap along the centre of the pan in line with the handle).

Beat 2 large eggs, add some black pepper.

Turn heat down fairly low, pour egg into pan and leave it alone.

Once the egg has mostly solidified then but a clump of cheese on one side and carefully slide it onto a plate and fold it over on itself.

Consume

[leowyatt]

If you don't wan to fold it you can stick it under the grill to finish off the top once the bottom is solid

[Muban]

If you fancy something a little different you can make a souffle omelette:

3 eggs
3 oz of cheese (either just the one or a combination of any cheeses you like - I like to use 3 cheeses...nom nom nom)
Some snipped chives (these are optional)
A good dollop of butter
salt and pepper

Separate the eggs. Whisk up the yolks with the salt, pepper and chives. Then in a large bowl whisk up the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add the butter to a pan and put on a medium/hot heat. With a metal spoon fold the egg yolks and half the cheese into the egg whites. When the butter is foaming empty the mixture into the pan and shake to distribute it (don't stir/flatten it). Leave it to cook for 1 minute. Then sprinkle over the other half of the cheese and put under a medium/hot grill for another minute until the cheese is melted and starting to colour. Then take the pan to your plate slide half the omellete onto a plate and the flip the other half onto it so it is folded over. Then scoff!

[SidewinderINC]

That sounds so interesting Muban, I've never even heard of that!

I suggest a Jonny69 style tutorial with pictures

[Belmit]

Tip for folding - do it like you're tossing a pancake by tipping the pan up and letting it slide to the edge, then instead of throwing it, just turn the bit that's poking out back on top of itself.

[Will]

I'd always use 3 eggs to make an omlette unless you're using a small pan, it gets too skinny otherwise - i like to beat in either a bit of cream or a touch of milk to lighten the texture. Adding some nutmeg along with any other seasoning really helps bring out the flavours. For folding, if it's a non stick pan make sure you use plenty of butter (I know it's naughty, but the best food requires a bit of naughtiness),if it is a non stick pan then you should be able to "shake" it off to the edge of the pan a little(though I still use a little bit of oil) and as it comes off the edge of the pan flick it to fold it over. You can use a spatula too. You can do a "rotating" motion whilst it's cooking and do a the pancake flick which can work. There's many ways of doing it and not really a "correct" way.

[LeperousDust]

Spanish omelette for the dinner win! About 6 eggs, sliced potatoes and maybe some meat (but not needed) whatever you have left over, onions peppers (all kinda chopped long and thin, ie not really cubed) etc...

Par boil sliced potatoes with a tiny salt for no more than a few mins, when done drain and toss with generous olive oil (in the colander is easiest) so theyre nice and coated.
Pre heat one large frying pan, max heat.
With another frying pan of the same size layer the potatoes + extras.
Crack all the eggs beat them up so they are just mixed, but as little as possible, salt pepper to taste (i sometime add worcester sauce).
Now this bit is a bit tricky:
Take the heated frying pan use it as a lid on the "cold" frying pan.
Now flip the contents over so they're transferred to the hot one, put that on the stove, and pour the egg in ASAP.
Keep the other frying pan as a lid on top, and turn the heat right down to maybe just above a simmer (or have another electric hob preheated to whatever simmer+ is for you and transfer over).
Now just leave for around 30 mins (this is a slow cooked omelette) turning the pans together to cook both sides evenly say every 10 mins (so maybe 40 mins cooking time, or until it looks right, its hard to over cook tbh).

Just make sure not to "peak" to often because the secret of keeping it moist is the slow cooking and keeping the frying pan covering it all the time!

Serve with beans or something else equally cheap! Or save the other bit for next days lunch, works great cold or reheated for lunch/snack!

Happy to help!

This was typed up quick any questions PM, or ask here...

[Will]

Mmmmm I loooooove spanish omlettes!

[Tak]

Mubs and Leps sound yum but I can't even manage a basic omelette yet so I'd have no hope in either of them. Maybe if I can manage tonight (which I'm already having major doubts about ) then I'll have a go at a more complicated version/way at another time