In the realm of breakfast and brunch classics, the French omelette stands out as a culinary masterpiece, embodying simplicity, versatility, and sheer deliciousness. This iconic dish is essentially a savory pancake made with eggs, butter, and a pinch of salt. Its origins can be traced back to 16th century France, where it was known as "omelette au naturel." Over the centuries, the French omelette has evolved into a culinary canvas, inviting a myriad of fillings and variations. From the classic omelette du fromage, featuring melted cheese, to the hearty omelette aux fines herbes, bursting with fresh herbs, to the decadent omelette aux champignons, showcasing sautéed mushrooms, the possibilities are endless. Whether you prefer a fluffy, cloud-like texture or a slightly denser, more substantial bite, the French omelette is a dish that caters to every palate. With its ease of preparation, customizable nature, and ability to transform humble ingredients into a satisfying meal, the French omelette reigns supreme as a breakfast and brunch staple.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE
A classic French omelette-simple yet elegant-should have a silky-smooth exterior and a custardy interior that's just barely cooked. Chef Boulud walks you through every step: from whisking, to cooking, to shaping the omelette into its iconic rolled cylinder. It may take a few tries to get it just right, but the effort is worth it!
Provided by Daniel Boulud
Categories main-dish
Time 5m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
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
No more tears easy recipe with helpful hints and tips to make sure you make the perfect Classic French Omelet every time.
Provided by Rebecca Franklin
Categories Entree
Time 10m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 758 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 953 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 22 g, Sodium 622 mg, Fat 67 g, ServingSize Serves 1, UnsaturatedFat 42 g
THE FRENCH OMELET
An omelet cooks in a matter of seconds, so have your ingredients ready to go. Tarragon, chives, parsley, and chervil make up the classic quartet known as fines herbes.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
Time 5m
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
CHEF JOHN'S FRENCH OMELETTE
A true French omelette, or omelet as we Americans call it, is just eggs and butter, no filling. The egg is folded for a soft, tender texture. It's 10% ingredients and 90% technique, so it does take a bit of practice to perfect.
Provided by Chef John
Categories 100+ Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Eggs Omelet Recipes
Time 10m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Whisk eggs, salt, and water together in a mixing bowl. Whisk until mixture is very liquid and whites are completely blended in, 1 or 2 minutes.
- Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a 9- or 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. As soon as butter melts and before it starts to sizzle, pour in the whisked eggs. Stir in a circular pattern with a heat-proof spatula, lifting and "scrambling" eggs, shaking pan to keep leveling out the mixture, and scraping down the sides. Continue stirring until shaking the pan no longer levels the eggs.
- Reduce heat to low. Using the spatula, smooth the surface of the eggs to move runny eggs to less runny spots, working toward an even thickness. As soon as surface is wet but not runny, remove from heat.
- Starting at the handle side of the pan, use the spatula to begin rolling the omelette into a cylinder shape, about 3 rolls until omelette is about 2 inches from opposite side of pan. Use spatula to fold the last flap of egg over the top of the cylinder leaving the seam side up. Add cubes of the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter to pan. Gently push the butter as it melts under the omelette.
- Slide omelette to edge of pan. Flip onto a plate with the seam side down. Even out the shape, if necessary. You can tuck in the ends, if you like. Brush surface with a bit more butter. Dust with cayenne pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393 calories, Carbohydrate 1.1 g, Cholesterol 552.1 mg, Fat 36.2 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 16.9 g, SaturatedFat 18.7 g, Sodium 668 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
FRENCH OMELETTE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: eggs, salt, butter, fresh chive
Provided by Alvin Zhou
Categories Breakfast
Time 30m
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Beat the eggs with the salt until the whites and the yolks are completely combined, with no spots of egg white remaining.
- Over medium-low heat, melt the butter in a skillet, then pour in the eggs.
- Using a rubber spatula, constantly scrape the bottom of the pan while shaking the pan in a circular motion to ensure that the eggs cook slowly, forming only small curds, about 1-2 minutes.
- Once you start to see the bottom of the pan for more than a second after scraping, push the eggs into a round circular shape. Cook until the edges solidify, then tilt the pan and carefully roll the omelette on itself.
- Invert onto a plate, then sprinkle with chives.
- Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 23 grams, Sugar 0 grams
OMELET
This recipe is for a basic French omelet with three eggs: enough for a hearty breakfast or brunch, or a light supper for one. The key to mastering this recipe is controlling the heat so the eggs do not brown, and whisking the eggs in the skillet so they set on the exterior but remain fluffy inside. A good nonstick or well-seasoned carbon-steel skillet is central to cooking the ideal omelet, which should be tender and slightly runny. Once you've got the technique down, you can play around with your seasonings, adding minced herbs, grated cheese, diced ham or sautéed vegetables. This recipe is part of The New Essentials of French Cooking, a guide to definitive dishes every modern cook should master. Buy the book.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories breakfast, quick, weekday, weeknight, main course
Time 5m
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon water, and salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork until egg whites are incorporated into yolks. Mix in herbs, if using.
- Place a 8- to 9-inch skillet (preferably nonstick or seasoned carbon steel) over high heat. Melt butter until bubbling subsides.
- Pour in egg mixture and reduce heat to medium. With the back of a fork or a heatproof rubber spatula, whisk eggs around skillet until the bottom begins to set. This takes only a few seconds. Add any fillings, if using.
- Tilt skillet and either bang or flip egg over itself. Use fork or spatula if necessary to complete folding in half or thirds. Angle the skillet and a serving plate together, and flip omelet onto plate.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 317, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 383 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram
ULTIMATE FRENCH OMELETTE
The omelette is one of the most fundamental dishes in any cook's arsenal, and this recipe will teach you how to get it right every time
Provided by Angela Nilsen
Categories Breakfast, Main course
Time 5m
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396 calories, Fat 33 grams fat, SaturatedFat 14 grams saturated fat, Protein 24 grams protein, Sodium 0.95 milligram of sodium
CLASSIC FRENCH OMELETTE RECIPE BY TASTY
French omelettes are arguably the most famous omelettes--and the most technically challenging. But fear no more, we take you through all the tips, tricks and techniques to create the most delicious, and beautiful, omelette in no time.
Provided by Matt Ciampa
Categories Breakfast
Time 20m
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 6
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!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 475 calories, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 24 grams, Sugar 0 grams
Tips:
- Use a nonstick skillet for easy flipping and cleanup.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat before adding the butter or oil.
- Use unsalted butter or a neutral-flavored oil like grapeseed or canola oil.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl until they are well combined and slightly frothy.
- Season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the egg mixture into the hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is set and the top is still slightly runny.
- Use a spatula to gently lift the edges of the omelette and tilt the skillet to allow the uncooked egg to flow to the bottom.
- Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes, or until the omelette is cooked to your desired doneness.
- Fold the omelette in half or thirds and serve immediately.
- For a more flavorful omelette, add your favorite fillings, such as cheese, ham, vegetables, or herbs, before folding.
Conclusion:
The basic French omelette is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With a few simple ingredients and a little practice, you can easily make a perfect omelette at home. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this classic French recipe a try.
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