French Omelette Recipe
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Recipe Overview
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 omelette
Ingredients Needed
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- Salt and white pepper
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon/5g/0.2oz butter plus 1 teaspoon extra
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1 - Crack the eggs into a sieve placed above a bowl. Start whisking the eggs through the sieve catching any stubborn bits of egg whites before switching to a silicon spatula to push the last bits of egg white through. Add a good grind of salt as well as white pepper and chives.
Step 2 - Heat a frying pan on low medium heat (around 120C/248F, I heat it while sieving the eggs). Add the butter - it should melt but it shouldn't brown at that temperature. Add in the omelette mixture and let sit for 30-60 seconds. Then using wooden chopsticks start scrambling the eggs until curds start to form. Stop when you have some curds and let the base of the omelette form. Place a lid on top of the pan for 45 seconds to 1 minute to set the top of the omelette - the length of time depends on whether you want it gooey in the centre.
Step 3 - Tilt the pan at a 45 degree angle and start rolling the omelette from the top down. I sometimes use my fingers to fold it over (it's not that hot). Roll up into a cigar and then place seam side down on a plate. Rub the surface with extra butter. Sprinkle more chives on top.
UPGRADE: To make a version like The Bear, soften the Boursin cheese by leaving it out on the bench for an hour or microwaving it on 30% power for 15 seconds until soft. Place in a piping bag and pipe a log of the cheese at the top of the pan just before rolling the omelette. Sprinkle with crushed potato chips just before serving.
Substitution notes and ingredients:
You can sub any sort of soft herbs for the chives. Parsley, chives, tarragon and chervil are often used. Or you can leave this omelette plain.
I like using white pepper so that the omelette keeps its pale yellow colour. You can also grind black pepper over the omelette at the end.
I use salted butter, always, but you use unsalted if you prefer! But with so few ingredients I will say that you do need to season it well.
Eggs, sorry there's no sub for these! ;)
Personal Note
I made a dozen omelettes before I had one that I considered perfect. After the 10th chive omelette I decided that I had to try The Bear's version filled with Boursin and sprinkled with crushed potato chips. I ordered some Boursin in my supermarket delivery and I already had a big box of chips.
One thing that I cannot have in the house are chips. I am unable to resist them so normally there are no chips in the house. But a few days earlier our groceries arrived. They usually don't ring the doorbell but this time they did but I just took my time as we have a note that they can leave it by the door. I was in my pyjamas and not in any mood to greet anyone as I had just woken up so slowly I made my way downstairs stopping to start a cup of tea.
I opened the door but saw that the driver was still in his truck outside. I didn't want to open the door to get my groceries because I looked terrible (it was when I was sick) so I flattened my back against the wall hiding behind the screen door. I waited but he was taking a while so I popped my head around to see what he was doing. I'm a little bit shortsighted but I could see that he was filling in some paperwork. Then he looked over at me and I swear that he waved. I didn't think he could even see more pressed against the wall like a weirdo.
I wondered what was going on and looked down and saw a big variety box of chips on the landing along with our other groceries. I hadn't ordered them so after he left I kept them by the door in case he came back. He never did and I'm glad that I had the chips for this omelette. I still don't know if he waved or not but I'm happy about the chips!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like French omelettes? Have you ever tried making one?