Learn the basic technique to cooking the perfect omelet at home. This recipe is easier than you think and includes useful tips and filling ideas.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon clarified butter, or whole butter
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/8 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, or white pepper, to taste
- 2 to 3 small mushrooms, sliced and sauteed (or filling of choice), optional
- 1/8 cup grated cheese, optional
- 3 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (reserve some for garnish), optional
Instructions
- 1Gather the ingredients.
- 2In a glass mixing bowl , crack the eggs and beat them until they turn a pale yellow color.
- 3Heat a heavy-bottomed 6- to 8-inch nonstick sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and let it melt.
- 4Add the milk to the eggs and season to taste with salt and pepper. Then, grab your whisk and whisk like crazy—you're going to want to work up a sweat here. If you're not up for that, use an electric beater or stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whatever device you use, the goal is to beat as much air as possible into the eggs.
- 5When the butter in the pan is hot enough to make a drop of water hiss, pour in the eggs. Don't stir. Let the eggs cook for up to 1 minute or until the bottom starts to set.
- 6With a heat-resistant rubber spatula, gently push one edge of the egg into the center of the pan, while tilting the pan to allow the still liquid egg to flow in underneath. Repeat with the other edges, until there's no liquid left.
- 7Your eggs should now resemble a bright yellow pancake, which should easily slide around on the nonstick surface. If it sticks at all, loosen it with your spatula.
- 8Gently flip the omelet over, using your spatula to ease it over if necessary. Cook for another few seconds, or until there is no uncooked egg left.
- 9If you're adding mushrooms, cheese, fresh herbs, or other ingredients, now's the time to do it. Spoon the filling across the center of the egg in a straight line.
- 10With your spatula, lift one edge of the egg and fold it across and over, so that the edges line up. Cook for another minute or so, but don't overcook or allow the egg to turn brown. If necessary, you can flip the entire omelet over to cook the top for 30 seconds or so (again, don't let it get brown).
- 11Gently transfer the finished omelet to a plate. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
- 12Serve and enjoy.