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Spanish tortilla

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Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)

I know I have reminisced a bit recently on my time in Spain, and shared a tapas recipe, but no reminiscing would be complete without mentioning Spanish tortilla. Tortilla Español is something you would see in virtually every bar and cafe that served food in Spain. For those unfamiliar, it’s a type of omlette, Spain’s version of a fritatta, most typically made with potato and onion. Some would be relatively ‘normal’ sized while others could be a good three inches thick (in case you are wondering, there are special double-sided pans that help that be possible but it still takes some skill). It was always a regular on our tapas selection, usually sitting outside on a patio, and so it seems fitting to share it for today’s Sunday Supper which celebrates getting outside for a picnic in line with Earth Day and National Picnic Day coming up this week.

making Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)As I said, a Spanish tortilla is most commonly made with potato, but I quite like making it with rutabaga which has a very similar texture but is is a little less starchy and better for you. For both, you peel and cut slices that are around bite-sized pieces before frying them with the onion. The cooked vegetables are then mixed with beaten egg, some salt and pepper, before being put back in the pan. You can get pans that will let you flip it over in the same pan, or if you don’t have one the common alternative is to put a plate over the top, flip over the pan then slide it off on the other side. However these days I often cheat a little and go more down the frittata cooking method of finishing it off under the grill/broiler. It’s certainly less likely to have collapsing/falling on the floor or other similar issues!

Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)Spanish tortilla is a great thing to take along to a picnic as it is easily transportable, not too messy and you can cut it either into wedge portions or bite-sized cubes to make for easy dividing up and eating. It also goes well with pretty much anything so you don’t need to worry too much about what others are bringing. Oh, and it’s also really tasty, so what could be better?

Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)

5 from 1 vote
Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)
Print
Spanish tortilla
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Spanish tortilla is a classic tapas menu item and for good reason. Great for lunch or as part of a tapas meal.

Course: Lunch, Tapas/Mezze
Cuisine: Spanish
Servings: 2 -8 depending on how served
Calories: 314 kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking
Ingredients
  • 14 oz rutabaga 400g swede, or you can use potato
  • 1 onion small-medium
  • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 eggs large
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Peel the rutabaga/onion and cut in to relatively thin disks - this is probably easiest if you cut chunks around 1in/2.5cm square or a bit smaller then slice them around 1/8in/3mm thick. Peel and dice the onion.
  2. Heat the oil in a small skillet/frying pan over a medium heat then add the rutabaga and onion. Cook, stirring regularly to move the bottom pieces to the top and prevent browning for around 20min, until the rutabaga slices are soft to the knifepoint.
  3. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked rutabaga and onion and mix through.
  4. Add a little more oil to the skillet if it is dry then tip in the egg mixture and cook over a medium-low heat until you can see it has cooked round the outside and is fairly set in the middle. Heat the broiler/grill and put the pan under until the top is fully set - you aren't looking for it to brown too much, just set the egg.
  5. Allow to rest slightly before loosening from the pan, then place a plate over the pan and invert onto the plate. Serve warm or room temperature in slices or cubes.
Nutrition Facts
Spanish tortilla
Amount Per Serving
Calories 314 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 327mg 109%
Sodium 151mg 6%
Potassium 807mg 23%
Total Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 11g
Protein 13g 26%
Vitamin A 9.5%
Vitamin C 65.1%
Calcium 14.7%
Iron 14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 Here’s what everyone else is bringing to the Sunday Supper picnic, do take a look:

Appetizers:

Beverages:

Main Dishes:

Sides:

Soups and Salads:

Desserts:

 

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Spanish tortilla (tortilla espanola)

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Comments

    • I understand, Laura, but at least there’s an alternative! I hope you manage to make it and enjoy!

      Reply

    • Thanks, Sarah, I hope you get the chance to make it and like it; it’s not lots of ingredients but is tasty.

      Reply

    • Sometimes funny-looking hides tasty! This is a nice easy introduction to it, so I hope you give it a try!

      Reply

    • Thanks, Loretta. Yes it’s definitely a meal in itself, just maybe not in our hungry household 🙂

      Reply

    • Thanks, Julie, well first time for everything – this is a nice easy introduction to it, you’d hardly know!

      Reply

    • Thanks, Effie, yes it’s both very tasty and great picnic food. Great for lots of occasions!

      Reply

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