Omelet

The word “omelet” is of French origin. The French word “omelette” is defined as “a dish of beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan with butter or oil” according to the Dictionary of the French Academy.http://www.mediadico.com/dictionnaire/definition/omelette/1 The modern form of the word “omelette” could be found in a French cookbook called “Cuisine bougeoise” in 1784. The idea of cooking beaten eggs in butter or oil in a pan is an ancient one. Ancient Romans were known to combine eggs and dairy products into patinae, custards and a variety of other sweet and savory dishes. Egg dishes similar to omelet were prepared by medieval cooks. One food writer and historian traced the origins of omelet to ancient Persia.http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodeggs.html#omelettes

One of the most famous French omelet dishes in the 17th century was “omelette du cure” which contained soft carp roes and tuna fish. Omelet recipes between the 17th and 19th centuries sometimes contain dairy products whereas the 20th century recipes typically do not.http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodeggs.html#omelettes A large varieties of omelet recipes have been developed over the years around the world. In addition to the more well-known Spanish version of tortilla and the Italian version of frittata, there are the German, Irish, Mexican, Hungarian, Russian, Turkey and the Iraqi omelets.http://www.mrbreakfast.com/recipe_collection.asp?subcategoryid=1 Even the Japanese and Chinese have their own traditional omelet dishes called tamagoyaki and oyster omelet respectively.http://asiasociety.org/style-living/food-recipes/recipe/appetizers/japanese-omelette-tamagoyakihttp://www.taipeikitchen.org/taiwanese-cuisine/taiwanese-oyster-omelette.html The popularity of omelet is truly timeless and global.

The festival of making a giant omelet to share with the whole town started in Bessieres, France in 1973. Traditionally, residents of the French town celebrate Easter Monday by eating omelet together. In 1973 Bernard Beilles proposed to celebrate the spirit of brotherhood at the same time by making a giant omelet in a giant pan in town. The omelet is to be shared every year for free with everyone in Bessieres.http://omelette.bessieres.free.fr/ Three members of the Chamber of Commerce of Abbeville of Louisiana attended the Easter Festival in Bessieres in 1984. Wanting to stay close to their French heritage, the townspeople of Abbeville created their own giant omelet starting with 5,000 eggs in 1984. One egg is added each year when the festival returns in November.http://www.giantomelette.org/celebration_info-history.php