Indulge in a culinary journey that celebrates the rustic charm of French cooking with Ina Garten's Country French Omelet. This delectable dish, hailing from Garten's cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa at Home," promises a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
Garten's Country French Omelet is a masterpiece of simplicity, showcasing the beauty of fresh, wholesome ingredients. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create this culinary delight that is perfect for a leisurely breakfast or brunch. The omelet features tender, fluffy eggs enveloped in a blanket of sautéed vegetables, aromatic herbs, and rich cheese, all brought together by the magic of Garten's expert guidance.
Accompanying this main recipe are several variations that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet adds a vibrant pop of color and a tangy twist, while the Mushroom and Gruyère Omelet offers a savory, earthy delight. For those seeking a hearty indulgence, the Ham and Cheddar Omelet delivers a classic combination of smoky ham and melted cheddar cheese.
Whether you prefer the classic Country French Omelet or crave the variations' unique flavors, this article provides a comprehensive guide to creating an exceptional omelet experience. With Garten's insightful tips and step-by-step instructions, you'll be able to master this French culinary treasure and impress your loved ones with a delightful homemade breakfast or brunch.
OMELET FOR TWO
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut the bacon crosswise in 1-inch slices. Cook the bacon in an 8-inch ovenproof saute pan over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels and discard the fat from the pan. Add the butter to the pan, and then add the potato and yellow onion. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion starts to brown and the potato is tender but firm. Add the jalapeno pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together with a fork. Stir in the scallions and diced Cheddar. When the potato is cooked, add the bacon to the pan and pour over the egg mixture. Place the pan in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the omelet puffs and the eggs are almost cooked in the center. Sprinkle with a handful of grated Cheddar and bake for another minute. Serve hot directly from the pan.
FRENCH 75
Steps:
- Pour the Cognac, simple syrup, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and add the ice. Shake for at least 30 seconds (it's longer than you think!). Pour the mixture into 4 Champagne flutes to fill each glass about two-thirds full. Fill the glasses with Champagne, garnish with the lemon zest, and serve ice cold.
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.
COUNTRY-STYLE OMELET
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 5m
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Whisk the eggs until frothy and season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ham and scallions and cook until the ham is browned and warmed through, then remove to a plate.
- Wipe the pan out and place it back over the heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and swirl around until melted, then add the eggs. Using a rubber spatula, move the outside edges of the eggs inward as they begin to set up. Continue to cook until the eggs are set and begin to get some color. Sprinkle the ham and cheese evenly over the surface of the eggs. When ready to serve, fold the omelet in half and slide out on to a plate.
FRENCH OMELET
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 15m
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 5
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
FINES HERBS OMELETTE
Provided by Ina Garten
Yield 1 serving
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- To make the Fines Herbs, combine the parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon in a small bowl and set aside.
- Break the eggs into a small bowl, and then add the milk, 2 tablespoons Fines Herbs, salt and pepper and whisk with a fork.
- Preheat an 8-inch nonstick saute pan over medium hot heat and swirl the olive oil into the pan. Pour in the egg mixture and swirl it in the pan. For a few seconds, gently stir the egg mixture with a heat resistant rubber spatula (as if you were going to make scrambled eggs) and then swirl the eggs in the pan to make a nice round appearance. Reduce the heat to avoid any color or scorching. Continue cooking for about 1 minute. The eggs will be set on the bottom, but slightly liquid on top.
- Flip the omelet, and remove it from the heat. Crumble the goat cheese over the center of the omelet and top it off with the roasted peppers. Tri-fold the omelet and plate immediately.
COUNTRY FRESH OMELET ( INA GARTEN BACK TO BASICS)
This is from Ina Garten's 2008 book Back to Basics . Perfect for that breakfast , lunch or brunch. She writes "If you want to serve four people, double the recipe and make it in two pans." I just love how effortless her meals seem yet well put together and presented. She created this after eating a similar omelet in a cafe in Paris. Enjoy! ChefDLH
Provided by ChefDLH
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 33m
Yield 1 omelet, 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch ovenproof omelet pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 3 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned but not crisp. Take the bacon out of the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
- Place the potatoes in the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Continue to cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until very tender and browned, tossing occasionally to brown evenly. Remove with a slotted spoon to the same plate with the bacon.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together with a fork. After the potatoes are removed, pour the fat out of the pan and discard. Add the butter, lower the heat to low, and pour the eggs into the hot pan. Sprinkle the bacon, potatoes, and chives evenly over the top and place the pan in the oven for about 8 minutes, just until the eggs are set.
- Slide onto a plate, divide in half, and serve hot.
- NOTE: to double per Ina ,"If you want to serve four people, double the recipe and make it in two pans.".
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.2, Fat 30.7, SaturatedFat 10.8, Cholesterol 491.6, Sodium 292.8, Carbohydrate 17.8, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.2, Protein 19.4
INDIAN OMELET
Provided by Aarti Sequeira
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- I thought that this was the only way to make an omelet until I had the French and American kinds. It's funny; we like ours thin and lightly browned, whereas the classic American version is fluffy and pale yellow. This almost reminds me of a Spanish frittata; you can eat a quarter of it with a small salad and it makes a satisfying light lunch. My mum usually makes this for lunch when she's got a heavy dinner planned. It's one of my dad's favorites! This is also apparently one of those things that you can get at the train stations in India: jump onto the platform, grab a hot "railway omelet" and speed walk to work where you can nosh away in peace. Bliss!
- Grab a bowl. Crack the eggs into the bowl and beat until lathery, about 1 minute. Whisk in the onion, chile, cilantro, turmeric, and paprika until well combined. Sprinkle with a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
- Grab a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Add the oil and warm over medium-high heat until mildly shimmering but not smoking. Have a spatula/spoonula at the ready. Pour egg mixture into the pan. Grab the spatula/spoonula and, in small circular motions, distribute the onions, chile, and cilantro evenly around the pan. This also helps move some of the uncooked egg down to the surface of the hot pan. Cover and cook for 2 1/2 minutes.
- Grab a plate that's as big as your pan. Pull off the lid and look at your omelet. It might still look a little runny, but it shouldn't be super runny. If it is, then cover and cook 1 more minute. Slide the omelet, cooked side down, onto your plate. Then, holding the plate from underneath, put your pan over your plate, and flip so that the uncooked side lands on the pan. Cook, uncovered, another minute.
- Slide onto serving plate, cut into 4, and serve.
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
Tips:
- Use the right pan: A well seasoned cast-iron skillet or non-stick frying pan is ideal for making a French omelet.
- Beat the eggs properly: Whisk the eggs until they are light and fluffy, but not too frothy. Over-beating the eggs will make the omelet tough.
- Use the right amount of butter: Use 1 tablespoon of butter for a 2-egg omelet. Too much butter will make the omelet greasy.
- Cook the omelet over medium heat: This will help to prevent the omelet from burning. Cook the omelet for 2-3 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through.
- Don't overfill the pan: The omelet should be about 1/4 inch thick. If the pan is too full, the omelet will be difficult to flip.
- Flip the omelet carefully: Use a spatula to gently flip the omelet. Be careful not to tear the omelet.
- Add your favorite fillings: Once the omelet is cooked, you can add your favorite fillings, such as cheese, ham, vegetables, or herbs.
- Serve immediately: French omelets are best served immediately after they are cooked.
Conclusion:
A French omelet is a classic breakfast dish that is easy to make and delicious. By following these tips, you can make a perfect French omelet every time. With its simple ingredients and quick cooking time, the French omelet is a great option for a quick and satisfying meal. Whether you like it plain or with your favorite fillings, this versatile dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a tasty and easy breakfast, give the French omelet a try!
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