Classic Omelette Technique Recipes

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 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.

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.

CHIARELLO'S CLASSIC OMELET TECHNIQUE

Steps:

• Break the eggs into a bowl and season with salt and pepper; lightly beat with a fork. Heat a 10-inch nonstick saute pan with 1 teaspoon unsalted butter. When butter begins to crackle pour in beaten eggs and cook for 10 seconds, just so the eggs begin to set on the bottom. Immediately scrape the sides towards the middle using a plastic utensil. Stir almost continuously until the omelet is cooked to your liking. Allow 2 minutes for a well cooked omelet. To roll the omelet, flip one half over toward the middle, while tilting the pan. Add the filling of your choice and continue rolling omelet over itself. Roll the omelet on to a serving plate. Make a slit with a paring knife to expose some of the filling and drizzle some melted butter on top, if desired. *Chef's Note: To serve a make-your-own omelet bar, make omelets to order and offer toppings: Spinaci alla Padella, Grilled Red Onions, Salami Bits, Caponata and a selection of cheeses.
• Bring 1 gallon of water to boil in a large pot with 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the spinach, pushing it down into the water with a skimmer, and immediately remove it to a bowl of ice water. Drain the spinach once cooled (don't leave it in for too long) and squeeze out the water. Divide spinach into 4 sections and compress each into a ball (each ball will be about 1 cup and they can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to a day). Cut each ball in half and then in half again to chop up the spinach. Place 1/4 cup of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic to the pan and shake the pan often, for about 1 minute or until the garlic is lightly browned. Add the spinach and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste. It will seem dry. Remove the spinach to a bowl, sprinkle with a little olive oil and garnish with lemon wedges. Variations: Try adding some chopped anchovy with the garlic. For creamed spinach: substitute butter for half of the oil and add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream as you cook the spinach. Yield: 4 servings
• Preheat a grill or a grill pan. Lightly brush the onion slices with olive oil. Place on the grill and cook about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and chop into bite-sized pieces or serve whole. Yield: about 3 cups
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Place salami in heated pan. Drizzle salami with olive oil, and cook, stirring. The salami will give off steam in about 5 minutes while it releases its moisture. When the hiss of steam turns to a sizzle, turn the heat down to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the salami bits are crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bits to several thicknesses of paper towel to drain. The bits will crisp even more as they cool. Use immediately or freeze the bits for up to 6 months and warm in a skillet, as needed. Yield: 1 pound
• In a very hot pan, separately cook the vegetables over a medium-high flame with a bit of the olive oil. Cook the onions and the garlic together in the same pan in a little more oil. Set all cooked vegetables aside in a large bowl. Make the "agrodolce": Combine vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan and reduce by half over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. While vegetables are still warm, combine with the roasted peppers, olives, and capers. Pour the "agrodolce" vinegar over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the chopped herbs and marinara sauce and stir. Serve the caponata at room temperature. Yield: 10 to 12 servings

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.

CLASSIC OMELET

Steps:

• Heat an 8 to 10-inch non-stick omelet pan over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt. While the butter is melting, break the eggs into a large bowl. Add the melted butter and whisk well. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return the pan to medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and the remaining butter and heat. Add the egg mixture and grasp the pan by its handle (using a potholder if necessary to protect your hand). Start shaking the pan forward and back while stirring the eggs slowly with the back of a fork, gently lifting a moving the cooked egg so that the liquid egg slips beneath it. After about 30 seconds, the egg will have formed a uniformly cooked but still fairly moist "pancake" shape. At this time, add any filling of your choice, the tomato and goat cheese, or leave the omelet unfilled in the classic French style.
• To fold the omelet, immediately tilt the pan to about a 45-degree angle by raising the handle, so that the cooked eggs nearest the handle begin to fall and fold over; you may use the fork or spatula to help this happen. Hold the far edge of the pan over a heated serving plate and continue tipping the handle up, so that the omelet folds over on itself and rolls out of the pan onto the plate. Serve immediately.

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

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 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!