Herbie The Omelet 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.

HERBIE THE OMELET

Steps:

• Combine the eggs, milk, water, salt and pepper in a bowl; whisk together.
• Spray a 12-inch skillet with non-stick cooking spray; heat pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil, swirling to coat pan.
• Add egg mixture and cook until bottom is set, lifting edges of omelet and tilting skillet to allow eggs to flow beneath to cook, about 8 minutes.
• Top eggs with cheese, spinach and fresh herbs. Fold omelet in half. Continue cooking until cheese melts and spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.

FRESH HERBS OMELET

Steps:

• Break 2 eggs into a bowl and beat with a fork or a whisk until frothy. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon salt), and 2 teaspoons milk. Whisk half the herbs into the eggs and mix well.
• Heat an 8-inch nonstick omelet pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. When the oil feels hot when you hold your hand above it, pour in the eggs, scraping every last bit into the pan. Swirl the pan to distribute the eggs evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the omelet with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. As soon as the eggs are set on the bottom, jerk the pan quickly away from you then back towards you so that the omelet folds over on itself. Tilt the pan and roll out onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs and herbs, and serve.

HERB AND THREE CHEESE OMELET

Steps:

• Whip eggs with liquid, chives, salt, and pepper.
• Make sure all the white is fully incorporated.
• Melt butter over high heat in a 10" nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray.
• Heat until bubbly.
• Pour egg mixture into skillet, pulling them toward the center from each side.
• Remove from heat when eggs no longer run but are still quite moist.
• Add cheeses to top half of omlet, fold, then invert onto a plate.
• Let rest 1 minute before serving.
• Makes one omelet.

FINES HERBES OMELET

Steps:

• Using a fork, beat the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the herbs.
• Heat half the oil and butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over high heat. When the oil and butter are hot, add half the egg mixture. Stir continuously with a fork, shaking the pan, for about 2 minutes to create the smallest-possible curds. When most of the egg is solid, cook it without stirring for 10 seconds to create a thin skin on the underside.
• Roll the omelet by folding over one side and then the opposite site, and invert it onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second omelet. Cut each omelet in half.