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Bread Omelet with Tomato and Cheese

Contributed by and
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 2
  • •FAST
  • •VEGETARIAN

Richard Olney's bread omelet from Simple French Food (Macmillan) inspired Wendy London to create this rich and satisfying version.

  1. One 2-ounce piece of crustless white or peasant bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick
  2. 1/2 cup heavy cream
  3. 1/4 cup thick tomato sauce, preferably fresh (see Note)
  4. 1 tablespoon chopped basil
  5. 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling
  6. 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  8. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  1. Preheat the broiler. In a medium bowl, soak the bread in the cream until softened, about 10 minutes. Mash the bread to a paste with a fork. Mix in the tomato sauce, basil, Parmesan and eggs and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Melt the butter in a medium nonstick ovenproof skillet. Add the egg mixture and spread with a spatula to form a 9-inch round; smooth the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cook the omelet over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes, then broil the omelet for about 2 minutes, or until firm. Slide the omelet onto a plate, cut into wedges and serve.
Notes You can substitute 2 tablespoons of pesto or chopped fresh herbs for the tomato sauce and basil.

Suggested Pairing

A big, fat Chardonnay will echo the cream, butter and cheese in this simple recipe. Choose a ripe creamy example, such as one from Napa Valley or the Russian River Valley.