You gotta break a few eggs...

[QuikSand]

Omelets (or omelettes, if you prefer*)

Okay, here's the thing. I like a tasty omelet as much as the next guy, maybe a lot more. I order omelets at breakfast restaurants sometimes - and sometimes really enjoy them. However, my idea of a perfect omelet just doesn't square up with the restaurant version too well.

First - the idea that an omelet needs to be a light, fluffy little cloud of egginess is all wrong. Set aside the debate from Tootsie about what makes an omelet fluffy ("it's the milk"), the point is that fluffines is not necessarily a desired attribute in my perfect omelet. I don't really want a half -inch layer of fluffy white egginess on either side of my omelet centerpiece.

Second - order is overrated. No need to have a perfectly smooth eggy exterior hiding the goodies inside. I am perfectly comfortable with basically stuff-cooked-with-eggs that doesn't have the structure of the formal omelet. Homespun saying about it all "going to the same place" resonate with me here.

Third - about the stuff inside. I understand that the restaurant business is about selling me cheap food and charging me for the waitressing. Fine. But if I'm making my own omelet, I really don't want to eat four eggs and a little bit of green pepper or ham... I want to eat the good stuff, even if it's more expensive, and I want to use the eggs as a conduit for doing so. No shame in having roughly equal value of eggs and "stuff" in an omelet... even slant toward the latter as the situation affords.

Fourth - cheese. It's a special case to me, but if you're going to put cheese in an omelet (and I recommend it in nearly every case) then I want to *know* there's cheese in my omelet. Not a little strip or smattering on top, but I want one of two things -- either a think ribbon/layer of cheese down the middle after my nice neat omelet has been folded, or I want a noticable cheesiness throughout. Don't skimp here.

Fifth - experiment. Don't be afreaid to make an omelet with whatever you have lying around in the fridge. Kung Pao omelets are just delicious, as are chicken satay omelets, sausage-and-kraut omelets, and so forth. Eggs are pretty darned close to the universal solvent in food, don't be afraid to use them, even if you lack the ingredients for a standard offering.


Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.







* I will only dedicate this minor footnote to the rememberance of the 7th grade spelling bee, where I was disqualified for misspelling this word, by using the perfectly acceptable spelling "o-m-e-l-e-t-t-e" but Mr. B______ was only using one book as the list of words, and it (frustratingly enough) included only the "o-m-e-l-e-t" spelling... and why one earth would anyone include words with multiple acceptable spellings in a spelling book anyway? This probably contributed to my two-year feeling of great intimidation by Mr. B______ throughout middle school, also no doubt enhanced by the time he discovered me writing a word search during his class, rather than taking notes (and p[ublicly humiliated me for same). However, I got my sweet revenge over time, as I was able to, years later as a college student, "make some time" with Mr. B's lovely young daughter.. but I digress, and that's really another subject entirely...

[wade moore]

* I will only dedicate this minor footnote to the rememberance of the 7th grade spelling bee, where I was disqualified for misspelling this word, by using the perfectly acceptable spelling "o-m-e-l-e-t-t-e" but Mr. B______ was only using one book as the list of words, and it (frustratingly enough) included only the "o-m-e-l-e-t" spelling... and why one earth would anyone include words with multiple acceptable spellings in a spelling book anyway? This probably contributed to my two-year feeling of great intimidation by Mr. B______ throughout middle school, also no doubt enhanced by the time he discovered me writing a word search during his class, rather than taking notes (and p[ublicly humiliated me for same). However, I got my sweet revenge over time, as I was able to, years later as a college student, "make some time" with Mr. B's lovely young daughter.. but I digress, and that's really another subject entirely...

This NEEDS its own thread.

[cartman]

I agree with all of this, except the cheese part. The Krispy Kreme burger saga documented my disdain for cheese.

I too like my omelete to be thick and hearty, not light and fluffy. If you want that, eat a quiche. And I agree with the "kitchen sink" analogy for putting stuff in. We would always do this when camping. Any leftovers from the night before got mixed in with the eggs for breakfast.

[QuikSand]

I agree with all of this, except the cheese part. The Krispy Kreme burger saga documented my disdain for cheese.

Even aberrant opinions are welcome in this thread.

[Butter]

I have a related omelet question.

Do you tip the omelet guy at a breakfast buffet?

[WVUFAN]

I cook my omelete in butter, with a good bit a chopped ham and cheese in the middle, along with more cheese on the top of the omelete.

[JeeberD]

I needs TONS of ham and cheese in mine. It's not really an omelette if you're skimping on the stuffing...

[digamma]

I don't disagree with anything you've written. I'm also an advocate of the "scramble" when the homemade omelet goes awry in the flipping process and end up having to jumble all the ingredients together in a less than professional manner. I think this is certainly in the spirit of, but might be one step further than the position you've taken in #2 above.

[Crapshoot]

* I will only dedicate this minor footnote to the rememberance of the 7th grade spelling bee, where I was disqualified for misspelling this word, by using the perfectly acceptable spelling "o-m-e-l-e-t-t-e" but Mr. B______ was only using one book as the list of words, and it (frustratingly enough) included only the "o-m-e-l-e-t" spelling... and why one earth would anyone include words with multiple acceptable spellings in a spelling book anyway? This probably contributed to my two-year feeling of great intimidation by Mr. B______ throughout middle school, also no doubt enhanced by the time he discovered me writing a word search during his class, rather than taking notes (and p[ublicly humiliated me for same). However, I got my sweet revenge over time, as I was able to, years later as a college student, "make some time" with Mr. B's lovely young daughter.. but I digress, and that's really another subject entirely...

I hate eggs. Nonetheless, this most definitely needs its own thread. :D

[gottimd]

I wish there were more omelete shacks around this area. Actually not sure what the place was called, but a few summers back, I went to visit this girl I knew at the Jersey Shore and that sunday when the weekend was up and it was time to go home, we went to some place that had hundreds of types of omeletes, I was in heaven.

[MizzouRah]

Nothing better then a ham, green pepper, tomato omelete. Mmmm... splash some tobasco and I'm all set!

Oh.. courtesy of Waffle House.

[gottimd]

Comment #5 is right on, although I am not sure about Kung Pao, interesting, I can see myself drunk one night trying to do that or making an ice cream omelet and waking up and wondering why I have 12th degree diarrhea.

[Celeval]

I order omelets at breakfast restaurants sometimes - and sometimes really enjoy them. However, my idea of a perfect omelet just doesn't square up with the restaurant version too well.

Any particular recommended breakfast restaurants? (Eggspectation is our usual choice)

[VPI97]

I used to make some good omelettes when was first married....I fry up potatoes and put them in there with ham, turkey, onions, mushrooms...whetever I could find.

But now Nikki won't let me use things like the "stove" or the "oven"...something about being a fire hazard.

[cthomer5000]

This NEEDS its own thread.

Or it's own feature film. One of the two.

[Subby]

Fritatas can be pretty solid as well. I make one with smoked salmon, red onions, gruyere and asparagus tips that pwns your momma.

[Anthony]

i always request extra cheese, and only accept american cheese in my omeletts. none of this cheddar crap (i'm looking at you, IHOP). ham and amercian cheese omelette with toasted wheat bread on the side so i can make my own sandwich=yummy.

[Glengoyne]

Sausage and Kraut. Hmmm

I'm with Cartman on the Cheese side, sort of. I like cheese, just not heated up and melty...this extends to fondue, but I do make exception for those crappy Kraft singles in a grilled cheese sandwich. Oh and Golden Grain Mac and Cheese, the melted cheese there is okay as well.

I'd imagine that good Kung Pao, and is there a food that varies in quality more, would be good with pretty much anything. I think I'll have to try some left-overs the next morning sometime.

I do agree that form over function isn't something I'm big on when it comes to omelettes. This has little to do with my inability to cleanly flip one. A lumpy concoction mixed with scrambled eggs is pretty much all that I require to dub something an omelette.


Oh the omelette part of the thread was good. The footnote, even better.

[JeeberD]

i always request extra cheese, and only accept american cheese in my omeletts. none of this cheddar crap (i'm looking at you, IHOP). ham and amercian cheese omelette with toasted wheat bread on the side so i can make my own sandwich=yummy.

I think I just found out the only thing (aside from a love of naked women) that HA and I have in common...

Cheddar has ruined many a good omelette. Ham and American all the way!

[QuikSand]

I have a related omelet question.

Do you tip the omelet guy at a breakfast buffet?

I always give the omelet guy a buck. Same for the Mongolian Grill guy.

[cartman]

I always give the omelet guy a buck. Same for the Mongolian Grill guy.

Do they hit the gong when you tip them like they do at the place I go to?

[QuikSand]

Any particular recommended breakfast restaurants? (Eggspectation is our usual choice)

In your neighborhood, you've already hit the top prize.

[QuikSand]

Do they hit the gong when you tip them like they do at the place I go to?

My local MG joint is so low class, the guy looks at me like I handed him my solid gold cufflinks. I probably am the only loser all night to toss him a buck, he usually fawns like I'm royalty.

[Franklinnoble]

These are actual photos of omelettes that my wife makes on a pretty regular basis:


http://www.noblebrown.com/images/omelette01.jpg


http://www.noblebrown.com/images/omelette02.jpg


If anyone wants the recipe, post a thread or PM her over at SportsDigs.

[wade moore]

My local MG joint is so low class, the guy looks at me like I handed him my solid gold cufflinks. I probably am the only loser all night to toss him a buck, he usually fawns like I'm royalty.

The Mongolian BBQ in Williamsburg (anyone who's been here has probably eaten there) has the old "Mongolian Cooks do not accept tips" or some such, so I always give the waitress a little more than I normally would since i assume they tip-out to the cooks.

[bbor]

Why do you have pix of your wifes omeletes?

[Franklinnoble]

Why do you have pix of your wifes omeletes?
It's a peculiar sort of fetish I have...












... actually, she saw the thread, happened to be making omelettes at the time, and snapped off a few photos and sent them to me to share with the gang.

[Anthony]

I think I just found out the only thing (aside from a love of naked women) that HA and I have in common...

Cheddar has ruined many a good omelette. Ham and American all the way!

if you really wanna twist my nipples - serve me ham and cheddar ESPECIALLY when i made it a point to request american cheese. do it even if i say "if you *don't* have american cheese, please let me know and i'll order something else, it's no big deal". when i bite into it and you see my face turn an angry shade of red you can laugh at me and scream "mindfucked!".

[Grid Iron]

These are actual photos of omelettes that my wife makes on a pretty regular basis:

http://www.noblebrown.com/images/omelette02.jpg


If anyone wants the recipe, post a thread or PM her over at SportsDigs.

Perhaps you can sell the recipe to Denny's for their "Heart Smart" menu. ;)

BTW, awesome looking omelette.:)

[stevew]

I have way too much omelette making experience, but I agree with most of the points, especially about Cheddar. My favorite is probably ham and salsa with american(extra) cheese.

And really, these jimmy dean skillets are pretty good, easier than assembling and cooking up all this stuff to get to the same basic point.
http://www.jimmydean.com/images/product/SK_prodlg.jpg

[judicial clerk]

for me fluffiness=overcooked

[Marc Vaughan]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly is 'American' cheese? ... always thought Cheddar was the bog-standard cheese myself .... so I'm somewhat intruiged and wondering if my local supermarket will consider me mad if I ask regarding it next time I visit ;)

[Subby]

American cheese is dogshit mixed with yellowish food dye and then pissed on by a dehydrated marathoner.

And then flattened in Rosie O'Donnell's unshaven left pit.

[Marc Vaughan]

American cheese is dogshit mixed with yellowish food dye and then pissed on by a dehydrated marathoner.

And then flattened in Rosie O'Donnell's unshaven left pit.

Sounds like the plastic artificial cheese my kids insist on ... although you didn't mention it 'bouncing' so I'm guessing its not ;)

[George]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly is 'American' cheese? ... always thought Cheddar was the bog-standard cheese myself .... so I'm somewhat intruiged and wondering if my local supermarket will consider me mad if I ask regarding it next time I visit ;)

Here's a quick description.

hxxp://www.ilovecheese.com/cheese_profile.asp?Cheese=American

[Marc Vaughan]

I've tried that before when in America - didn't realise it was a particular type of cheese ... did like it, but couldn't eat it as much as I do Cheddar personally.

Hmmm Cheddar and branston on crackers :D

[sabotai]

Since someone mentioned Denny's, can someone please explain to me why the fuck they stopped making the Meat Lover's Skillet!? That thing was fuckin awesome!

Plus, omelettes with mozzarella cheese = awesome.

[VPI97]

Gotta make omelettes with provolone.

[cthomer5000]

I've tried that before when in America - didn't realise it was a particular type of cheese ... did like it, but couldn't eat it as much as I do Cheddar personally.

Hmmm Cheddar and branston on crackers :D
Well, one of the huge pluses of american cheese is that it melts very well, much better than Cheddar (which i love, but becomes quite oily and kind of unappealing looking when melted).

But American is indeed it's own kind of cheese, and quite standard. And it's really only for sandwiches or cooking. No one that I know would ever be snacking on american cheese on crackers, for example.

[Vince]

When it comes to cheese, it doesn't get better than swiss. Though lately smoked gouda has been a huge hit around my house.

[Franklinnoble]

I like just about any kind of cheese... except the stinky kind.

[sabotai]

No one that I know would ever be snacking on american cheese on crackers, for example.

*raises hand*

[Celeval]

But American is indeed it's own kind of cheese, and quite standard. And it's really only for sandwiches or cooking.

American cheese on cheeseburgers is the be-all and end-all.

[wade moore]

Well, one of the huge pluses of american cheese is that it melts very well, much better than Cheddar (which i love, but becomes quite oily and kind of unappealing looking when melted).

But American is indeed it's own kind of cheese, and quite standard. And it's really only for sandwiches or cooking. No one that I know would ever be snacking on american cheese on crackers, for example.

And it's great for giving dogs pills ;)...

[Lorena]

This NEEDS its own thread.

Absofreakinlutely!!

Spill it QS

[QuikSand]

Gotta make omelettes with provolone.

Actually, the omelet that actually got me thinking about lauching this thread was just that. Opened the fridge, and fired up "whatever is on hand" with eggs... the result was actually dynamite. Some diced-up Genoa Salami, several thin slices of provolone, green olives with pimentos, and topped off with Pizza Quick sauce. It really came together, in the absence of a plan, to make a tremendous omelet, one I might try to re-create deliberately soon.

[QuikSand]

Spill it QS

Actually, the balance of the story would likely prove to be less interesting than the selected tidbits I already offered... so no follow-up will be forthcoming.

[GrantDawg]

*raises hand*


Ummmm....me, too. What other cheese would you use to snack on crackers?

[Lorena]

Actually, the balance of the story would likely prove to be less interesting than the selected tidbits I already offered... so no follow-up will be forthcoming.

Aww shucks... I was looking forward to something juicy. Quite the tease you are QS. :rolleyes:

[GrantDawg]

Nothing better then a ham, green pepper, tomato omelete. Mmmm... splash some tobasco and I'm all set!

Oh.. courtesy of Waffle House.


Waffle House is awesome. Well, usually awesome. If you get a bad cook at the grill, it could be bad.

[GrantDawg]

I used to make some good omelettes when was first married....I fry up potatoes and put them in there with ham, turkey, onions, mushrooms...whetever I could find.

But now Nikki won't let me use things like the "stove" or the "oven"...something about being a fire hazard.


I can testify to that. :)

[duckman]

Eggs are gross.

[Buccaneer]

Second - order is overrated. No need to have a perfectly smooth eggy exterior hiding the goodies inside. I am perfectly comfortable with basically stuff-cooked-with-eggs that doesn't have the structure of the formal omelet. Homespun saying about it all "going to the same place" resonate with me here.


Absolutely agree. To me, the perfect omelet has as much stuff seen on the outside as there are inside.

[st.cronin]

I don't understand why restaurants have breakfast menus. They're all the same.

[JeeberD]

I like just about any kind of cheese... except the stinky kind.

Dude, feta rocks!

[Barkeep49]

Personally I am a swiss in the omlette sorta guy. I will say that I think I disagree with QS about the amount of cheese, though perhaps not. Frankly I think the cheese is the item which finishes an omlette. I want it in a nice ratio to the other items I've put into the omlette. So if I have a lot of other items, lots of cheese is great. But just cheese on its own? I'm not interested.

[Arctus]

IHOP omlettes rule, the ultimate steak omlette is my favorite.

[GrantDawg]

IHOP omlettes rule, the ultimate steak omlette is my favorite.


They are good. I think Perkins might be better.

[Passacaglia]

This reminds me of a time I was out for breakfast with a few friends, and when we were all talking about what we thought of the place, he started bitching and moaning about how his omelette didn't have cheese, even though it didn't mention cheese on the menu.

As for me, I'm always a fan of cheese -- usually just cheddar with an omelette, but I also think the more stuff, the better.

[stevew]

So I was thinking about this thread. I have a ton of leftover smoked chicken and pork. Plus about 10 different types of cheese. Going to be a serious omelette day tomorrow as it would be great to eat this stuff before it goes bad. I generally have about a 2 day rule on leftovers.

[DanGarion]

So I was thinking about this thread. I have a ton of leftover smoked chicken and pork. Plus about 10 different types of cheese. Going to be a serious omelette day tomorrow as it would be great to eat this stuff before it goes bad. I generally have about a 2 day rule on leftovers.

The USDA says you are safe for 4.

[Izulde]

Personally, nothing beats fresh, young colby for cheese.

I'm also an egg-hater, FWIW. Although if I can't taste it or if it's in French toast, then it's all good.

[k0ruptr]

try this one. Cream cheese in your omelet. it is fucking amazing.

[Matthean]

American cheese on cheeseburgers is the be-all and end-all.

I prefer cheddar. American is very just kind of there taste wise for me.

Ummmm....me, too. What other cheese would you use to snack on crackers?

I use extra sharp cheddar.

[Toddzilla]

try this one. Cream cheese in your omelet. it is fucking amazing.+10000

Been doing thus for a long time. Add some cracked pepper and you're a goddamn Top Chef.

[stevew]

Bumpdate-

Apparently the Omelette pan suffered a tragic fate sometime this summer. I had to advance to level 2, the massive egg burrito. Luckily I had some 12" flour tortillas leftover from yesterday.

(btw, if you have a GFS in your neighborhood, and have never gone inside I highly recommend it. lots of really good restaurant type mixes and foods there. Don't want to make a huge bag of cheese sauce at once though? Just half the ingredients!)

[Coffee Warlord]

And now I feel like cooking me and the wife omelettes this christmas morning.

(as a side note, I traditionally cook my omelettes without milk entirely, or just the barest splash of it)
(as a double side note, how did I miss this thread originally?)

[Landshark44]

Do you mix the cream cheese in with the eggs, pre-cook?

[ColtCrazy]

Not one for omelet making, but I do enjoy good scrambled eggs and, like omelets, prefer them heavy on the ingredient end.

There's a place in Louisville called Lynn's Paradise Cafe that has excellent Greek scrambled eggs with Feta Cheese. Good stuff.

My wife and kids prefer the simple cheese, pepper, salt eggs, but the 2nd batch I make adds in red onion, ham, and lots of cheese. I usually add sour cream as well, giving them a great taste. I've used black olives, mushrooms, and other ingredients as well.

I'm usually the cook in the house, and the eggs are my specialty.

[QuikSand]

There's a place in Louisville called Lynn's Paradise Cafe that has excellent Greek scrambled eggs with Feta Cheese. Good stuff.

HUGE fan, love love love that place.

[QuikSand]

try this one. Cream cheese in your omelet. it is fucking amazing.

Tomorrow morning, I have a plan. Thanks, I'm certain I have never tried this.

[Scarecrow]

Wow, I missed this thread originally.

I hate eggs, but I love an omelet the way quick described it in the original post.

The best omelet in regards to thickness of the eggs and the ingredients within would be:


http://postregistermarketplace.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/marketplace/products/2008/06/09/GRANNY-OMLET-052s_t470__r95x95.jpg?c73fabb66d13f95eeb7f13746e7f222293874d28 (http://www.postregistermarketplace.com/marketplace/all/businesses/perkins-restaurant-bakery/features/1530/) Granny's Country Omelette (http://www.postregistermarketplace.com/marketplace/all/businesses/perkins-restaurant-bakery/features/1530/)
Diced ham,onions,American cheese,celery and green peppers,topped with cheese sauce. With hashbrowns tucked inside and out. Prepared with three Grade AA eggs.


Unfortunately, it's W A Y too hard to find a Perkins that can make this decent enough.

[QuikSand]

Well, did the cream cheese thing today. I see the attraction. I used a little basil on top of the cream cheese in the inside of a foldover omelette, and then a bit of cheddar on top. It was solid, though I didn't get it quite right. Something to work with there.

I'm thinking the next time I make an egg sandwich at home, I might use a layer of CC to add some heft to it. Thinking something like:

(top)
pepper jack cheese
sliced tomato
bacon
fried egg
cracked pepper
cream cheese
butter
toast
(bottom)

[Lathum]

It is interesting to read back through this thread and see all the banned/ disappeared people who posted in it.

[cuervo72]

Hmm. I want to say that I've had cream cheese in an omelette, but I can't say for sure that I have as I can't remember where it would have been. I like the idea though.

Last omelette I made was simple, just some feta cheese and black olives. It was good.

Seems like black olives might be good with the cream cheese too. Maybe something like a spinach & artichoke dip I make where sometimes I add black olives or pimentos. Actually, the combo of nearly all the dip ingredients (also parmesan, leave out sour cream) might be pretty solid.

[cuervo72]

Dola - and I heartily endorse not milk, but half and half in the eggs.

[stevew]

Just go all the way with Heavy Whipping Cream.

[QuikSand]

Just go all the way with Heavy Whipping Cream.

yes yes