I don't know why it is, but I am not a fan of American-style omelets. I love eggs scrambled, coddled, poached, soft and hard boiled . . . but there's something about that thick carpet of egg in omelets that just doesn't sit right with me! Perhaps it's because this is the first omelet I ever had- thin (but not as thin as a crepe-like French omelet) and packed with fresh flavors. It's the kind of thing I whip up at almost any hour of the day (it's really great after you've been out and had one drink too many!). To this day, Mum will make this as a light lunch when she doesn't feel like cooking anything too strenuous. The potato chips are my American touch to this Indian standby.
- Level: Easy
- Total: 15 min
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 5 min
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
6 large eggs
3/4 cup minced red onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
1 small serrano chile, seeded and minced
Small handful fresh cilantro, minced (about 2 tablespoons), plus extra leaves for garnish
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly
ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil
Small handful coarsely crushed potato chips (about 1/4 cup; optional)
Directions
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs until slightly frothy. (If you are not in a hurry, you can go the extra mile: Separate the eggs and beat the egg yolks in one bowl, the egg whites in another, until very frothy. Gently fold the yolks into the whites. This will make a much lighter omelet!)
- Carefully stir in the onion, chile, cilantro, turmeric and paprika and add couple of generous pinches of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
- Heat the oil in a medium (10 to 12 inch) non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Keep a heatproof spoonula (a curved, spoonlike spatula) at the ready. When the oil starts to shimmer, pour in the egg mixture.
- Using your spoonula, stir the egg mixture in small circular motions to 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. Sprinkle the potato chips (if using) evenly over the top.
- Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Meanwhile, grab a plate that's as big as your pan.
- Check your omelet. It's all right if it's not fully cooked, but it shouldn't be super-runny. If it is, cover the pan and cook for 1 minute more. Slide the omelet, cooked side down, onto the plate. Then, holding the plate from underneath, place your pan over the plate and flip the omelet back into the pan. The omelet should land with its uncooked side down. Cook, uncovered, for another minute.
- Slide the omelet onto a serving plate, cut it into 4 wedges and serve with fresh cilantro leaves on top!
- Smaarti Tip
- Don't omit the serrano chile even if you don't like spicy foods. Scrape out the seeds and use just the flesh; that slight bitterness really makes this omelet sing.
Cook’s Note
Don't omit the serrano chile even if you don't like spicy foods. Scrape out the seeds and use just the flesh; that slight bitterness really makes this omelet sing.
