How to Make the Perfect Omelet

Omelet Tips
- Use a 7 inch pan for 3 eggs
- You can flip or fold, as you prefer
- Experiment with different fillings to develop a signature omelet

Would you like to be able to cook a perfect omelet? Making an omelet , omelette, as its sometimes called, can be a bit intimidating compared to scrambling eggs. Follow these easy instructions to make the perfect omelet. The basic step-by-step instructions will also teach you how to flip your omelet like a professional chef as you learn some recipes that will dazzle your friends!

Legend has it that while camping outside the French town Bessieres, Napoleon Bonaparte tried a local innkeeper's new dish—an omelet. Bonaparte was so impressed that he ordered the people of Bessieres to collect all the eggs in the village to prepare one large omelet for his men.

Making an omelet is fairly straightforward. Once you know the basic principles of how to prepare the egg, you may add additional ingredients per your preferences. Read on to learn how to make the perfect omelet.

Jamie Oliver on Omelets

Omelets don't get the respect they deserve. They are an extremely inexpensive protein and are flexible enough to provide the nourishment needed as a main course.
A great omelet begins with three eggs, salt, a 7 inch pan and medium heat (according to Oliver, there is no need to add milk or cream).

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Step 1: What You Will Need to Make an Omelet
- A stove
- A non-stick skillet, size dependant on the number of eggs in your omelet
- spatula for working the eggs
- A fork or egg beater to whisk the eggs
- A bowl for mixing the eggs
- Oil (canola or olive), cooking spray (PAM) or butter
- 3 eggs are the preferred amount
- Milk is optional
- Ingredients to fill your omelet, such as Cheese, ham, onion, tomato, bell peppers, sausage, bacon and mushroom are popular.
- Ingredients that are placed on top of the omelet once it has been cooked, such as salsa, avocado, sour cream and cilantro.
Step 2: Preparing the Omelet Ingredients
- Have all of your ingredients ready before you turn on the stove. This will make cooking your omelet much easier.
1. Break the eggs and place them in your bowl. Add milk, if desired, to make the eggs fluffy.
2. Take your fork or egg beater and whisk the eggs until the yolk has been broken.
3. For a fluffier omelet, whisk the eggs longer than usual. The more you whisk the eggs, the more air gets in them. The more air you have in your eggs, the fluffier they will be.
4. Grate your cheese.
5. Cut up all of your vegetables and prepare any meat you will be putting in your omelet.
Step 3: Start Cooking the Omelet
- There are two basic philosophies when it comes to cooking an omelet. One is the 'flip', while the other utilizes the 'fold'. The first eight steps are virtually the same; then they branch out.
1. Turn on the stove to medium/high.
2. Coat the skillet with either the oil, spray or butter and place onto the stove.
3. Wait for the skillet to get hot and add any vegetables/meat. This is a must if you plan on using the 'flip' technique. If you plan on doing the 'fold' method you can pre-cook your meat and veggies or you can add them in prior to the fold.
4. Use your spatula to help stir the ingredients. You won't have to do this for long because they will still be cooking once you add your egg.
5. After a minute or so, add the egg.
6. With your spatula, push the egg from the outer edge of the skillet toward the center. This allows the runny egg on top to spread out to open skillet space and cook.
7. You can also tilt the pan so that the egg runs to open areas.
8. Continue to do this until the egg starts to turn white and the edges get a little crispy.
- Now you need to decide whether to use the "flip" technique or the "fold" technique.
The 'Flip' Technique
- The 'flip' technique is flashy, fun and all in the wrist. It might take a few flips to perfect, but it's worth a try. Remember, if you want to make an omelet, you will have to break a few eggs. In this case, if you want to flip an omelet, you will have to deal with a potential misfire. At any rate, a successful flip is almost as satisfying as the omelet itself.
- Now picking up where we left off.....
Flip your omelet like a professional chef!
1. If the egg is stuck to the pan, add a touch of oil to the edge of the skillet and let it run down between the egg and the pan to provide lubrication.
2. Take the skillet off of the fire and move the omelet around so that you know it isn't stuck.
3. Now you are ready to flip. Very quickly, draw the skillet toward you and then in a sudden sharp movement thrust the pan away from you and flip the egg pancake. Hopefully, the eggs flipped and landed runny-side down. Because the eggs have been cooking, they won't need much more time on the skillet.
4. Once you have flipped the eggs, place your cheese in the middle so it can start to melt.
5. When you think that it's done, fold the egg into a semicircle with your spatula and slide it out of the skillet and onto your plate.
6. Garnish the top of your omelet with whatever you wish. More cheese, salsa, sour cream and avocado work very well.
The 'Fold' Technique
- The 'fold' technique is the preferred method of omelet-making. It is safer than flipping the egg, but not as risky, showy or fun.
- Picking up from right before the flip.
1. Now that the edges are a little crispy, add your cheese and any other veggies/meat on top of one side of the eggs.
2. With your spatula, fold the other side of the eggs over so that it covers the ingredients and makes a semi-circle.
3. Let cook for 30 seconds to one minute.
4. Take your spatula and run it under your omelet to make sure it is not stuck to the skillet.
5. Now you can slide it off the skillet and onto your plate.
6. If you have toppings, this is the time to add them.
7. Enjoy your new culinary creation!!
Step 4: Types of Omelets
- Omelets are universal and there are hundreds of different ways to prepare them. Here are some of the most popular omelets on the market.
1. The Denver omelet, AKA the Western omelet. A very basic, yet scrumptious blend of diced ham, onions and bell peppers. Cheese is optional.
2. The Spanish omelet. A little bit of prep work will be involved for this one. Fried potatoes and finely diced onions are the main ingredients. Garlic and cheese are optional.
3. If an egg has too much cholesterol and fat for your tastes, try an egg white omelet. An egg white omelet is very popular and healthy. Egg white omelets can be prepared the same way that most other omelets are—just without the yolk.
4. For all you chili connoisseurs out there, the chili omelet is the only way to eat an omelet.
5. If the chili omelet isn't for you, you can try the Tex-Mex omelet (green and red peppers, green chiles, black olives and jack cheese) or a gazpacho omelet (avocado, tomato, onion, cucumber and jack cheese).
6. An interesting type of omelet is the frittata. A frittata is an Italian style omelet that is partially cooked on a skillet, then placed in the oven leaving it open-faced. There are many variations of frittatas, but the basic ingredients include vegetables, meat and cheese.
7. For people on the left coast, bacon, avocado and cheddar with salsa on top epitomizes the California omelet.