Spanish Tortilla

A base for a number of different recipes...

1. 1

   These used to be a bar in Madrid which only served beer and tortilla. This is the basis for a Spanish tortilla, but read through to the end of the recipe before assuming this is the usual...!
   
   Peel the potatoes and slice into wedges (not too thin) about half centimetre thick. Deep fry them until soft and only just starting to brown. If you overdo them don't worry.... Just a couple of minutes before ready, throw in the onion but you don't want it to be too well cooked, and it should still keep a little crispiness and the oniony taste... beat the eggs with the cream and salt. Add the potato and onion (after draining well) to the eggs and stir and blend into the mixture. You don't want it to go soggy, and you want some potatoes to keep their shape, but try and get the egg to incorporate into some of the potato and onion mix.
   
   This is the inventive and fun part, and brings me back to the bar in Madrid.At this point you could separate into 3-4 bowls, or if you are the decisive type, leave in one bowl. Try adding peas. Try adding chilli. Try adding chorizo. Try simply oregano. Blue cheese is nice. Mozarella. red peppers.
   just use your imagination..... but I wouldn't just putting them all in together... and of course, if you don't want to, don't add anything as it is great as a plain old Tortilla Espanola!!
   
   Get a non-stick frying pan and add only a very little oil, using a kitchen paper to spread over the base of the pan. Once the pan starts to 'smoke' add the mixture for the tortilla you have created. Allow it to cook on one side, and don't be scared to shake the pan to keep it loose. If it sticks, use you spatula carefully to release from the bottom and 'slide' a little olive oil underneath. After 4-5 minutes slide onto a plate, place the frying pan upside down over the tortilla, and spin it back over as quick as you can. You might lose some but practice will make perfect... cook 4-5 mins on the other side or a little longer if you prefer the eggs fully cooked through.
   
   My favourite is plain served with Mayonnaise and crusty bread. But a chilli tortilla is a favourite of many of my friends. I also seem to remember tortilla con guisantes (peas) as being a favourite in that bar....