Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelet

Peggy Lampman | Contributor

I have a small amount of salmon and and a bit of cream cheese left from the weekend. It's just enough to spread over a toasted bagel half, but I've got a better idea. A couple of eggs and voila: it's an elegant supper for one.

Beat eggs with salt and pepper until frothy.

My new favorite magazine, the spring issue of Fine Cooking's CookFresh magazine offers up a pictorial commentary on how to cook the perfect gruyere omelet. I've blogged about omelets in the past but thought I'd give their technique a whirl, using smoked salmon and cream cheese instead of gruyere.

Cook in butter until just set around the edges.

Omelets are so simple and quick to make, but they are the kind of dish that is easiest to follow in pictures. For small omelets such as this, it's important that you are in possession of an 8-inch nonstick skillet and silicone spatula.

Scramble center gently then turn off heat.

Other savory fillings could include other grated or crumbled cheese, vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, mushrooms or onion, bacon or ham.

Add fillings down center third; let sit a minute then fold into thirds.

Yield: 1 omelet
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large or extra-large eggs
1 heaping tablespoon cream cheese
1/2 ounce sliced smoked salmon cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon snipped chives

Directions

1. Melt the butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, and a couple of grinds of fresh pepper until the eggs are frothy.
2. Pour the eggs into the skillet and let them sit, undisturbed, until they begin to set around the edges, 30-60 seconds. Stir the eggs quickly with a silicone spatula while shaking the pan back and forth until the eggs have set on the bottom but are still undercooked on top, 45 to 60 seconds.
3. Turn off the heat and give the pan a few shakes. Tap it once firmly on the stove to smooth the bottom of the omelet (or a heatproof cutting board if your stovetop is glass.)
4. Spoon the cream cheese down the center third of the omelet and spread in a thick, 1-inch line. Place salmon on top of the line then sprinkle with chives. Let sit for a minute.
5. Fold a third of the omelet over the cheese. Shake the unfolded third of the omelet up the side and slightly out of the pan. Invert the pan onto a plate to complete the final fold of the omelet. Serve immediately.