The struggle is real when you have to cook the same dish the same way over and over again every day. And if you are like me, I bet you are desperately looking for a change! Tortilla de Patatas is the best option for you.
Omelets are a staple on my family’s breakfast, side dish, and tapas menu. And don’t get me wrong—I love eggs, no doubt. But frying them the same way every day gets boring pretty quickly!
Some years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to travel abroad to Spain; I found my perfect escape- the Authentic Spanish cuisine Tortilla de Patatas. It’s a delicious twist on your regular egg with an addition of crispy potatoes and caramelized onions. Since I discovered this, frying eggs has felt less like a chore and more like a fun adventure as I step my toes into Spanish culinary territory!
Want to make your meals a little more exciting? Let’s dive in!
What Is A Tortilla De Patatas (Spanish Omelette)?
First things first, let’s discuss what a Spanish Omelet, otherwise known as a ‘Tortilla de Patatas’, is.
Tortilla de Patatas is a traditional Spanish dish that has existed since the early 19th century. Made with commonly available ingredients like eggs, potatoes, and salt, it is known for its simplicity and swift preparation time. Despite being a quick recipe, the taste of the dish is spectacular and a lot different from your regular fried eggs.
Although tortilla de patata started its original journey in Spain, it’s appreciated by many countries worldwide. Inspired by this, there are now many variations available that are made with local ingredients from different countries. And I must say, none of the variations will disappoint you!
Additional Ingredients to make Tortilla de Patatas
Here are some variations of the Spanish Tortilla de Patatas with additional ingredients you can try out:
Vegetables
Potatoes don’t need to be the only veggie in your potato omelet! You can add various vegetables, including bell peppers, tomatoes, or spinach, for a colorful, vibrant vibe. You can also add mushrooms for a slightly chewy texture to your eggs.
Just chop these veggies into thin slices and add them to the potato and egg mixture before pouring them into the pan for cooking.
Cheese
Cheese can be a great addition to any egg dish, and this Spanish one is no different. You can choose from a variety of cheeses, including Mozzarella, Cheddar, Feta, Blue Cheese, and Parmesan. Each cheese brings its unique flavor and texture to the dish.
Grate or crumble the cheese and add it to the egg mixture for cooking. Alternatively, you can sprinkle the cheese on top of the egg just before it finishes cooking.
Meat
Adding meat to the tortilla will make the dish more fulfilling and energizing. Easy-to-prepare meats like chicken or turkey are a great option as they blend pretty easily.
You can cook the meat with seasonings and then shred the pieces once they’re cooked to add to the tortilla mixture. You can also use any leftover pieces that you have cooked earlier. Just reheat the meat and shred it before adding it to the egg mixture.
Herbs
Herbs are a fantastic way to introduce a note of freshness to any dish. Before the egg mixture is cooked, you can add oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, mint, chives, or parsley.
Chop up these herbs finely if you decide to mix them into the eggs. Alternatively, you can use these as a garnish for a burst of flavor at the end of cooking.
Tips For Making The Perfect Spanish Omelette
This recipe is slightly different from cooking your regular egg. It may be difficult to flip because it has more ingredients, or the tortilla might get burnt easily. To save you from these sorts of troubles, let’s give you some notes on how to cook this dish effectively.
- While slicing the potatoes, ensure they are all cut in uniform sizes. The consistent thickness of the potato slices helps cook all the pieces simultaneously.
- Finding it difficult to flip the tortilla? Use a wide spatula and gently slide it under the egg to support its weight while flipping. Also, shake the pan slightly to make the tortilla out of the pan come loose so that it can be flipped easily.
- If you still struggle with flipping, just fold it like a book! Instead of flipping, wait for the edge of the tortilla to get set and then gently fold one side of the egg in half. Otherwise, take a large plate, hold it on the pan, flip the pan onto the plate, and slide the tortilla back into the pan or skillet.
- Follow the guidelines about the temperature given in this recipe. Using too much heat might cause the egg to get overcooked on the outside while still being undercooked inside. So while cooking the tortilla, make sure that your skillet over medium heat.
- While sauteing the onion and potatoes, keep the heat to medium and stir continuously. Stirring frequently helps caramelize the onions slowly, bringing out their natural sweetness.
- Use a non-stick pan to avoid sticking the tortilla to it while flipping. If you don’t have a non-stick pan, ensure it’s well-seasoned before use. Remember that the pan needs to be hot before adding the oil to it. A hot pan creates a barrier between the eggs and the pan’s surface.
- Before you cut into the Tortilla, let it rest for a few minutes. Resting the tortilla after cooking helps it to set properly and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.
Recipe Card
Tortilla de Patatas Recipe | Spanish Omelette
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized Potatoes
- 1 cup / 237 ml Olive Oil (For Frying)
- 1 large-size Onion (Sliced)
- 5 large-size Eggs
- ½ tsp / 3 g Salt.
- 1 tbsp / 15 ml Olive Oil (For Cooking)
Instructions
Prepare The Potatoes
- Take 6 medium-sized potatoes and place them on a chopping board.
- Take one potato and cut it in half, then thinly slice each half of the potato.
- Repeat the process for all potatoes.
Fry Potatoes and Onions
- Grab a frying pan and put it on the stove over medium heat.
- Pour 1 cup of olive oil into the pan for frying.
- Add 1 large-sized sliced onion and the sliced potatoes into the pan.
- Fry for 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes and onions look slightly caramelized.
Strain Oil
- Place a mixing bowl on the table and put a strainer on top of it.
- Remove the pan from the heat and pour the fried onion and potatoes into the strainer. The oil will strain and collect in the bowl below.
Mix With Eggs
- Place another mixing bowl on the table.
- Take 5 large eggs and crack them one by one into the bowl.
- Add the fried potato onion and potatoes from the strainer into the bowl with the eggs.
- Sprinkle ½ tsp of salt over the mixture.
- Using a spatula mix everything well so that the eggs coat the potatoes and onions.
- Cover the bowl with an aluminum foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. After resting, stir the mixture with a spoon again to make sure everything is well-coated and mixed properly.
Cook The Omelette
- Heat the frying pan at medium temperature.
- Pour 1 tablespoons of olive oil and coat the pan with it.
- Add the egg, onion, and potato mixture to the pan.
- Cook on high heat for 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat from high to low and cook for another 3 minutes.
Flip It Over!
- Place a large dish that’s slightly bigger than the surface of the pan on top of the pan.
- Flip the pan upside down to transfer the omelette onto the plate.
- Place the tortilla back into the pan with the fried side up. Cook the omelet for 1 minute over high heat.
- Run the spatula along the sides of the tortilla to prevent it from sticking, and shake the pan slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low heat and cook for another 3 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy
- Place the large dish over the pan again and transfer the fully fried tortilla onto the dish.
- Your Spanish Omelette is now ready to eat!
Video
Are you all done with the frying part? Grab a fork, and let’s dig in!
This dish has quickly become my breakfast favorite with its delicious blend of crispy potatoes, caramelized onions, and eggy goodness! Filled with nutrition and an irresistible toasty aroma, this Spanish Omelette is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or light dinner. It’s a healthy choice to fuel your body with energy and rich, delicious tortilla de patatas flavor any time of the day!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make this omelette without onions. You can add bell peppers or tomatoes as an alternative or nothing at all if that’s what you prefer.
The center of the egg should be firm and not runny at all. If you are confused, use a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean, you will know the egg is done.
