Spanish Omelette - Tortilla de patatas
Traditional tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette) recipe, also called Tortilla Española (Spanish omelette) because it is literally eaten in every region of Spain, both in restaurants and at home. Signature tapas dish. Perfect example of how a very few simple ingredients can make something delicious. Ideal for picnics & lunch boxes.
Prep time: 15 minutes / Cooking time: 1 hour
Serves 4-6 (makes two omelettes)
INGREDIENTS:
1kg of potatoes
500ml oil (olive oil is best, sunflower will do)
1 large onion
6 large eggs or 8 medium eggs
salt to taste
METHOD:
1. Peel potatoes, wash and cut them in 1.5cm (1/2 inch) dice.
2. Peel onion and finely dice.
3. Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Slowly add potato & onions until covered. Cook on a medium heat, stirring often, for 20-30 mins until soft and golden.
4. Using a slotted spoon, remove potatoes & onions from oil into a colander. Reserve oil. Season potatoes.
5. Crack 3 eggs in a bowl, add a pinch of salt & whisk. Add half the drained potato & onion. Mix well.
6. Heat a small non-stick frying pan (20cm/7 inches diameter) add 1tbsp of reserved oil. When hot carefully add egg & potato mix making sure evenly distributed in the pan. Cook on a low heat for 5-6 minutes until eggs are set on bottom and they start to cook though a little.
7. Place a concave plate that is slightly larger than the frying pan on top of the pan, facing down. Flip the pan over quickly, inverting the omelette on to the plate.
8. Pour another tablespoon of oil on to the frying pan, then gently slide the omelette back into the pan, uncooked side down. Cook for a further 3-4 mins until set. Repeat from step 4 to make the second omelette.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature with a mixed salad.
TIPS:
✔ If you don’t have a large enough frying pan, or would like to use less oil, you can cook the potatoes & onion in small batches.
✔ You could choose to make one larger tortilla or 3 smaller ones, the smaller the tortilla the easier it is to flip.
✔ If you are not confident flipping the tortilla (turning it over), you can finish cooking it under the grill. Alternatively, you could cook it in the oven in a greased dish, baking it at 160°C for 45minutes to 1 hour.
✔ In Spain, we like the Spanish omelette a bit creamy in the middle, we like to stop cooking it just before is fully set, try it if you fancy going traditionally Spanish!
