The culinary world was transformed when Julia Child experienced her first French meal of sole meunière.
This week, we
are preparing Omelette Roulée
French omelets
are, ‘smooth gently swelling golden ovals that is tender and creamy inside’ *
I chose to add fresh Tarragon from my garden. I decorated the plate with a Tarragon blossom and a chive blossom. |
For One (rolled) Omelette*
2 or 3 eggs
Pinch of pepper
Mixing bowl
A table fork
1 Tbsp butter
an omelet pan 7”
in diameter at the bottom
Beat the eggs and seasonings in the mixing bowl for 20 to 30 seconds until the whites and yolks are just blended.
Place butter in
the pan and set over very high heat. As the butter melts, tilt the pan in all
directions to film the sides. When you see that the foam has almost subsided in
the pan and the butter is on the point of coloring (indicating it is hot
enough), pour in the eggs. It is of utmost importance in this method that the
butter be of the correct temperature.
Grasp the handle of the pan with both hands, thumbs on top, and immediately begin jerking the pan vigorously and roughly toward you at an even, 20-degree angle over the heat one jerk per second. It is the sharp pull of the pan toward you, which throws the egg against the far lip of the pan, then back over its bottom surface. You must have the courage to be rough or the eggs will not loosen themselves from the bottom of the pan. After several jerks the eggs will begin to thicken. (a filling would go in at this point).
Then increase
the angle of the pan slightly, which will force the egg mass to roll over on
itself with each jerk at the far lip of the pan. As soon as the omelet has
shaped up, hold it in the angle of the pan to brown the bottom a pale golden
color, but only a second or two, for the eggs must not overcook. The center of
the omelette should remain soft and creamy. If the omelette has not formed
neatly, push it with the back of your fork. Turn the omelette onto the plate.
Rub the top with a bit of butter and serve as soon as possible.*
Garnishings and
Fillings
Beat into the
eggs at the beginning 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs such as chervil, parsley,
chives, and tarragon. Sprinkle more of the same over the finished omelette.
Au Fromage (with cheese)
After the
eggs have set for 2 or 3 seconds in the pan sprinkle one or two tablespoons of
grated Swiss or Parmesan cheese and finish the omelette.
Other
suggestions:
Sprinkle ¼
cup of any of the following cooking ingredients
Diced sautéed
potatoes and minced herbs
Diced truffles
Diced sautéed
ham, chicken livers, or mushrooms
Diced cooked
asparagus tips or artichoke hearts
Diced cooked
shrimp, crab, or lobster
Cubes of
stale white bread sautéed in butter*