Is there anything more welcoming than an omelette and a glass of wine?
To make an omelette is a life skill. Elizabeth David may have her detractors, but she was right about its steadying properties.
I’ve been making a lot of omelettes lately. I’ve been teaching a goat cheese and basil version to my neighbour in the spirit of Jamie Oliver’s food revolution day (approaching fast on May 19). Make a neighbour a meal and you’ve fed them for a night. Teach them how quick it is to produce an omelette and you’ve potentially fed them for weeks.
Then on Sunday one of my oldest friends arrived in London. As he walked into our flat out of the dark and dreary night he wore that peakish look that belongs to someone who’s spent 9 hours battling public transport systems across two continents. I’d eaten dinner four hours earlier and was relaxing on the couch with a fat book and a glass of wine. In the fridge I had eggs, herbs and cheese. On the bench sat a ripe tomato. Next to it was the rough heel of a baguette.
‘Would you like an omelette and a glass of wine?’ I asked.
The look I got back said it all.
Making an omelette is a way of feeling at home, no matter where in the world you are.
(There’s a reason the queues for them are so long in alien hotel buffets.)
On days when I get lost inside myself, not sure if Sydney or London is my nest; missing people and knowing more than ever what it is I’m skipping out on by being over here, I’ll make myself an omelette for lunch.
I take time out from my desk. I break my eggs with confidence. I take a fork and beat them up, instead of myself. I shake the pan and try to shift in the eggs that sense of being loose and adrift in an overwhelming space.
I can now make an omelette in four minutes. After I’ve encouraged it onto my plate I’ll sit with my back to the window and flip through one of the books I’ve accumulated while we’ve been here. Wise words from the food writers I admire; whether A.J Liebling, Amanda Hesser, Calvin Trillin or Nicki Segnit have got me through some lonely lunch times, while close friends and family sleep on the other side of the world.
Sound words are steadying. So are these simple omelettes. And on very dire days, it’s nice to know there’s always the crutch of a sneaky half glass of wine.
Zucchini, spinach and lardon omelette (with a glass of wine)
Serves 1
This is basic template for an omelette. You could substitute the zucchini for mushrooms and the spinach for basil. You could skip out on the bacon, or substitute it for chorizo. I do think some cheese is non negotiable. My favourite is goat’s curd, or Boursin- I love the way its gentle structure oozes and relaxes into the lightly cooked eggs.
Shopping/foraging
3 eggs
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of lardons/sliced streaky bacon
1/2 zuchinni, shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
1 handful of baby spinach (or basil leaves)
Here’s how we roll
1) Beat the eggs well with a fork or a whisk. Try and get some levity in there. You can add a small splosh of milk if you like.
2. Take a medium fry pan (non stick will help) and put it on a medium heat. Place the lardons/bacon strips in there and cook them for 5 minutes until the fat renders and streaks around the pan.
3. Add the baby spinach leaves and zucchini/courgette ribbons to the pan and stir on the heat to wilt and soften with the bacon (if you’re using basil instead, then leave it out for the moment).
4. When the spinach leaves have shrunk and the courgette has wilted empty the pan and place the filling in a bowl to one side.
5. Place the pan back on the medium heat and add the lump of butter. Allow it to melt, brown slightly and swirl to coat all of the surface of the pan (the butter will help the eggs emulsify together- it will also help you flip it without tears).
6. Pour the eggs into the pan and shake them around to swirl and coat. Keep shaking on and off the heat to encourage a bit of rippling and texture. Slowly drag the firm edges of the omelette into the centre at 12 o’clock and tilt the pan to allow the liquid egg to spill into the empty space. Do the same at 3 o’clock.
7. While the centre is still a little runny add the cooked vegetables, bacon and the goat’s cheese. Season with black pepper and a good pinch of salt.
8. Tilt the pan to a 45 degree angle (like the tilting Titanic) to help the omelette slide down to the lip of the pan . This will then help you to fold the bottom up to meet the top with a spatula, sandwiching the centre.
9. Gently slide the folded and filled omelette onto a plate. Serve with some leaves, a good book, a glass of wine and a sense of quiet satisfaction.
Sending you a big virtual fluffy omlette and a clink on your wine glass!! We all have those days, and working from home must make it especially hard. Sending a virtual hug too!
PS: I made your white choc and raspberry cookies again the other day, all the while thinking of you, and just had to tell you they’re fast becoming a big hit round these parts!
I’ve never been good at making omelettes, but your descriptions of their simple joy makes me want to try again! Suspect it doesn’t help that my pan is rubbish, either…
How beautiful and tasty this omlette looks! I love omlettes but always end up with scrambled eggs because I don’t wait long enough, hehe. It’s always a good scramble, but the melty pocket of cheese is the ideal. And goat cheese, ohhh boy. Love.
Oh Tori, I feel you. Living 800 miles from my sister and her little one is heartbreaking for me. An omelette is definitely steadying, and as long as there are eggs in the fridge I know there will be supper on the table. Lovely post.
You’re so right, we have omelettes at least once every few weeks for dinner. It’s a comforting, delicious meal when you just don’t have time to cook!
I have omelettes really often! I love eggs. I think people get quite protective about omelettes, there’s a perfect way to make one, no browning blah, but I think you nailed it with this line “Making an omelette is a way of feeling at home, no matter where in the world you are.” I love my omelettes golden brown on the outside but only just cooked on the inside instead of the anemic-looking french-style omelettes (:
Omelettes are so satisfying for both the stomach and the soul, aren’t they.
I love adding crumbled fetta towards the end.
A lovely recipe, Tori. Thanks for sharing.