Monday, December 14, 2009

True Spanish Tortilla

Ah, the true Spanish omelette, called tortilla in Spain, is served breakfast, lunch, dinner and for snacks; is served hot or cold; and can incorporate any number of fillings.

I like it pure and traditional: just egg, potato and onion. Sure, a little chorizo and truffle oil can be nice too, but totally not necessary; the "plain vanilla" version is immensely satisfying.

I made this for B's folks over Thanksgiving again; they loved it and asked for the recipe.

Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla Espanola)
Serves 2-4

1 recipe Aioli (recipe follows)
6 large eggs
3 medium yellow potatoes (like Yukon Gold or other yellow), peeled
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 cup olive oil
Salt

  1. Make Aioli and set aside (recipe follows).
  2. Cut potatoes lengthwise into quarters, then thinly slice across into 1/8" thick "pie wedge" shapes (a handheld slicer or food processor works really well for this).
  3. Spread potatoes out on cookie sheet, and dry off slices with paper towels. Salt generously.
  4. In a large pan heat olive oil over high heat. Add sliced potatoes, and turn down heat immediately to medium. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don't let the potatoes brown!
  5. NOW ADD SLICED ONION.
  6. Cook for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are soft. Again, no browning!
  7. Drain potatoes in collander, reserving leftover oil. Taste potatoes, season with more salt as necessary. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  8. Now, in medium mixing bowl, crack eggs, and whisk until just after yolks are broken (eggs will have yellow and clear streaks in it still).
  9. SEASON EGGS WITH SALT.
  10. Mix potatoes back into eggs, and stir gently to combine.
  11. Let potato/egg mixture rest for 10 minutes
  12. Heat a 8" non-stick skillet with 2 tbsp of leftover oil over medium heat.
  13. Add potato/egg mixture (it will be near the top of the pan).
  14. Using spatula, cook for 5 minutes, moving runny eggs under cooked eggs, scraping sides of skillet often.
  15. Put a plate with no lip to cover the skillet. In one motion, flip tortilla onto plate.
  16. Add 1 tbsp oil back to skillet. Carefully slide the tortilla from the plate back to the skillet.
  17. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, shaking the skillet every 10 seconds or so.
  18. Flip the tortilla over again (using the plate method described before), and WITHOUT OIL back into the skillet for 1 minute.
  19. Flip the tortilla one last time, and cook for 1 minute. (Totals: 5 minutes, flip, 3 minutes, flip, 1 minute, flip, 1 minute, remove from skillet)
  20. Once removed from skillet, let rest uncovered 5 minutes.
  21. Slice tortilla into quarters. Serve warm or room temperature, slathered with Aioli.
  22. Refrigerate leftovers; will keep for about 3 days.
Aioli
Yields about 1/2 cup

1/2 cup mayonnaise (do NOT substitute Miracle Whip!)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Salt + pepper

Whisk all ingredients to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Let rest for at least 30 minutes. Taste again and adjust seasonings. Use as needed, or refrigerate up to 5 days.

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