Cheese In Western Omelettes: What's The Perfect Type?

A Western omelette, also known as a Denver omelette, is a popular egg dish that contains diced ham, bell peppers, and onions. While traditionally, Western omelettes don't include cheese, many cooks add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese. This classic breakfast dish is easy to make and can be customised with different types of cheese, spices, and proteins.

Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack are popular choices

While a traditional Western omelette doesn't include cheese, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack are popular choices. You can also use Swiss, Gouda, or American cheese, or whatever you have on hand. If you're shredding the cheese yourself, it's recommended that you do this before you start cooking.

A Western omelette is a popular egg dish that contains diced ham, bell peppers, and onions. It's also known as a Denver omelette. The ingredients are mixed into lightly beaten eggs and then cooked in a hot pan until fluffy and browned on the bottom.

To make a Western omelette, you'll need to dice your onion, red pepper, and green pepper, and cube your ham. Beat three eggs with a pinch of salt. Shred your chosen cheese. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan on low to medium heat. Add the onions and peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Then add the ham and cook for another minute or two.

Pour in the beaten egg and work the spatula around the pan. Push the sides of the omelette in and tilt the pan to let the raw egg fill any gaps. This should only take a minute or two. Turn the heat down and cover the pan for three minutes. The steam will help to cook the egg on top and fluff up your omelette.

Remove the lid and shake the pan gently. The omelette should be sliding around. If not, turn the heat up slightly. It's then time to flip the omelette. Move the pan forward and back, and when it feels right, one slightly stronger thrust forward with a fast pullback and a gentle flick of the wrist should be enough for your omelette to take flight. Add the cheese and let the omelette cook for 30 seconds to a minute, then fold it over and turn off the heat. Let the cheese melt and then serve.

You can also use Swiss, Gouda, or American cheese

While a Western omelette traditionally doesn't include cheese, many cooks like to add some to their recipe. The most common cheeses used in a Western omelette are shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack. However, you can also use Swiss, Gouda, or American cheese.

If you want to use Swiss cheese, you can shred it and sprinkle it on top of the hot omelette in the pan. This will help it melt evenly and ensure that its flavour is front and centre in each omelette. You can also add some chopped scallions to the pan to give your omelette a bit of extra bite.

Gouda is another option for a Western omelette. You can grate the cheese and add it to the eggs and milk mixture. Then, once the eggs are cooked, scoop the vegetables and ham mixture onto one half of the omelette and use a spatula to fold the other half over the top.

If you want to use American cheese, shred it and sprinkle it over the omelette once you've added the egg mixture to the pan. Then, cover the pan for three minutes to help the cheese melt and cook the egg on top.

Cheese is sprinkled on top of the omelette in the pan

A Western omelette, also known as a Denver omelette, is a popular egg dish that contains diced ham, bell peppers, and onions. While traditionally, Western omelettes don't include cheese, many cooks like to add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.

When making a Western omelette, it's important to season as you go. Adding salt and pepper to the lightly beaten eggs before pouring them into the pan builds layers of flavour in each bite. It's also crucial to cook the fillings first, as eggs cook faster than the omelette fillings. Sauté all the peppers, scallions, and ham first, so they're ready to be folded into each omelette as it cooks.

Once you've added the beaten eggs to the pan, you'll still have some raw egg on top, and that's okay. Turn the heat down to the lowest setting, cover the pan, and let it cook for about three minutes. The steam will help fluff up the omelette and keep the bottom of the pan slick, so you can flip it easily.

Now, here's the key step: sprinkle the cheese on top of the hot omelette in the pan. This helps the cheese melt evenly and ensures its flavour is prominent in each bite. You can use shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese, or even Emmentaler or Gouda, depending on your preference.

After sprinkling the cheese, cover the pan for about 30 seconds to a minute to encourage the cheese to melt. Then, using a rubber spatula, fold the omelette in half and transfer it to a warmed plate. If you like your eggs well-done, cover the pan again after smoothing over the eggs and let it rest for another 30 seconds. This will give you a firmer texture and a deeper, browner colour.

Cheese is added after the omelette is folded

A Western omelette, also known as a Denver omelette, is a popular egg dish that contains diced ham, bell peppers, and onions. While traditionally, Western omelettes don't include cheese, many cooks like to add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.

To make a Western omelette, you'll first want to cook your fillings. Sauté your peppers, onions, and ham, and season them. Then, wipe out your skillet and add some butter. In a separate bowl, whisk together your eggs and milk until light and frothy, and pour this mixture into the skillet. As the eggs cook, use a spatula to clean the edges of the omelette and jiggle the pan to evenly distribute the eggs.

Now, here's the key part: once the eggs are no longer liquid but still soft, sprinkle on the shredded cheese. Place a lid over the skillet to encourage the cheese to melt, and then scoop your fillings onto half of the omelette. Use a spatula to fold the empty half of the omelette over the fillings. By adding the cheese before folding, you ensure that it melts beautifully and binds the omelette together.

Finally, continue to cook the omelette until it's well-browned on both sides, to your desired level of doneness. And there you have it—a delicious, cheesy Western omelette!

Cheese is melted by covering the pan for a minute

A Western omelette, also known as a Denver omelette, is a popular egg dish that contains diced ham, bell peppers, and onions. While traditionally, Western omelettes don't include cheese, many cooks like to add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.

To make a Western omelette, you'll first want to sauté your fillings. Sautéing the fillings first ensures that they are cooked through and allows you to cook the eggs without overcooking them. Start by heating some butter in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add your diced ham, bell peppers, and onions, and cook until the vegetables are tender and the ham is lightly browned. Transfer this mixture to a bowl and set it aside.

Next, whisk your eggs in a bowl. You can add a small amount of milk and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Whisk until the egg mixture becomes foamy. Melt some butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat, and pour in your egg mixture. Cook the eggs until they start to set, about 1 minute. Lift the edges with a spatula and tilt the skillet to allow the uncooked egg to flow towards the bottom of the skillet and set. Repeat this process until there is no visible liquid egg remaining.

Now it's time to add the cheese. Sprinkle your chosen cheese—cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack—down the middle of the omelette. Cover the pan for about a minute to help the cheese melt evenly. The residual heat in the pan should be enough to melt the cheese without overcooking the eggs.

Finally, fold the omelette in half and transfer it to a warmed plate. Your Western omelette is now ready to be served!

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