- published: 30 May 2012
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The Spanish omelette or Spanish tortilla, also called simply tortilla in English when there is no confusion with the Mexican maize tortilla, is a typically Spanish dish consisting of a thick egg omelette made with potatoes and fried in olive oil.
In Spanish, this dish is called tortilla de patatas (papas) or tortilla española to distinguish it from an omelette (tortilla francesa, French tortilla) and from the Mexican tortilla. (In Spanish-speaking countries and regions where potatoes are called papas rather than patatas, it becomes tortilla de papas.)
The potatoes, ideally starchy rather than waxy ones, are cut and then rinsed in water to remove excess starch, then fried in olive oil at a moderate temperature until they are soft but not brown, then drained, mixed with raw beaten eggs, and slowly fried in a pan. The tortilla is fried first on one side and then flipped over to fry on its other side. This may be done with the help of a plate or a "vuelve tortillas" (a ceramic lid-like utensil made for this particular purpose). Wetting the plate prevents the tortilla from sticking when it is slid back into the pan. Other ingredients, especially onions, can be added.