Source: Tapas, The little dishes of Spain by Penelope Casas
Makes 8 servings.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Tips: Serve as a side dish, or appetizer/snack at parties
Tortilla A La Española
Spanish Potato Omelet
Ingredients
Preparation
1 cup olive oil or a mixture of olive/other
4 large potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/8-inch
1 large onion, sliced thin
coarse salt
4 large eggs
If omelet is to be finish using the oven method (see note one) make sure skillet to be use can be place in the oven.
1. Heat the oil in an 8-inch or 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices one at a time so they don't stick together. Alternate layers of potato with the onion slices and salt the layers lightly.
2. Cook slowly over medium heat (the potatoes will really "boil" in the oil rather than fry), lifting and turning the potatoes occasionally, until they are tender but not brown. The potatoes should remain separated, not in a 'cake".
3. Drain the potatoes in a colander, reserving about 3 tablespoons of the oil. (The onion and potato give the oil a wonderful flavor, so save the rest for some other use.)
4. Wipe out the skillet, scraping off any stuck particles. (If this is difficult to do, wash the skillet. It will be used again to set the omelet and must be completely clean to avoid sticking.)
5. Meanwhile, in a large bowl beat the eggs with a fork until they are slightly foamy. Salt to taste. Add the potatoes to the beaten eggs, pressing the potatoes down with a pancake turner so that they are completely covered by the egg. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
6. Heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil in the skillet until it reaches the smoking point. (It must be very hot or the eggs will stick.) Add the potato egg mixture, spreading it out rapidly in the skillet with the aid of a pancake turner. Lower the heat to medium-high and shake the pan often to prevent sticking.
7. (See note 1 before proceeding.) When the eggs begin to brown underneath, invert a plate of the same size over the skillet and flip the omelet onto the plate. Add about 1 tablespoon more oil to the pan, then slide the omelet back into the skillet to brown on the other side.
8. Lower the heat to medium and flip the omelet two or three times (this helps to give the omelet a good shape while it continues to cook), cooking briefly on each side. It should be juicy within. Transfer to a platter and cool, then cut in thin wedges or into 1- 1 1/2-inch squares that can be picked up with toothpicks.
May be prepared ahead.
Serve warm or room temperature
NOTE: 1) Alternative method instead of fliping the omelet is to place the oven proof skillet under the hot broiler to finish cooking the top for few minutes. Invert into platter.
