Tortilla de patatas is the closest thing Spain has to a national dish, though even this simple recipe varies greatly throughout the country.
The Basques make it gooey and runny (delicious in my opinion), while in Andalusia you're more likely to find it cooked through (and dare I say dry?) and often covered in freshly made mayonnaise. Apart from the cooking technique, there's also the onion debate (with or without?). I'm personally pro-onion, but I have many friends who are strongly against!
Get the recipe: My delicious Spanish tortilla recipe is the best!
There are also stuffed tortillas (usually involving some sort of gooey cheese), stewed tortillas (covered in soupy sauce), and plenty of tortilla recipes that use ingredients far beyond the humble potato.
This delicious Spanish tortilla with ham and peas is one of my favorite tortilla recipes. Quick and easy, it's definitely best when made with fresh peas (if possible).
You can enjoy any Spanish tortilla hot off the stove or at room temperature. It makes the perfect snack any time of day or a hearty breakfast. Careful not to reheat a tortilla in the microwave for more than a few seconds, as it will turn rubbery!
Spanish Tortilla with Ham and Peas (Tortilla de Guisantes con Jamón)
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced into cubes
- ¼ cup of peas fresh if possible
- 5 large eggs free range eggs if possible
- 2 ounces of diced cured ham jamón Serrano if possible
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Instructions
- Sautée the diced onions in olive oil over a medium-low heat, stirring every couple of minutes until they start to caramelize.
- Add in the potatoes along with ¼ cup of water. Turn the heat up to medium and cover. Stir every two minutes for about 10 minutes and then uncover and cook until the water is fully evaporated and the potatoes are cooked through (but not mushy).
- Transfer this onion and potato mixture into a bowl and let cool.
- Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and season with salt. Add the ham, minced garlic, peas, and mint. Once the potatoes and onions have cooled, stir them into the egg mixture too. Make sure they aren't too hot, or they'll scramble the eggs.
- Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
- To cook the tortilla, coat a medium-sized frying pan (nonstick is ideal) with olive oil over a medium-high heat.
- Pour in the tortilla mixture and cook the tortilla slowly until the bottom has formed a browned crust.
- To flip the tortilla and cook the other side, put a plate over the top of the frying pan and flip the tortilla onto the plate so that the uncooked side is facing down. Then slide the tortilla off the plate and back into the pan (raw side down).
- Continue to cook until a crust forms on the other half of the tortilla. Depending on your preferences, you may wish to cook the tortilla completely through or keep it gooey on the inside.
- Allow the tortilla to rest for at least ten minutes before serving, and it can also be served at room temperature.
Nutrition
What's your favorite Spanish tortilla recipe?
Graham
Poor recipe description - what size potato dice? How long to to cook - there is no way to see if the underside is “crusty” because its still in the pan. Flipping when the topside is “raw” just means that the pan contents fall out ad te crust stick in the pan.
What is a “medium - high heat” on a gas stove??
Should be much better described and some temps and timings added. With need to cool the potato/onion mix tete is mo way the estimated prep/cook time can be achieved
Paul
Tried to make this. It was a disaster lol. Tried to flip. Bottom stuck to the pan and top half fell off. Tried to save it in the oven but it wasn't the best
Lauren Aloise
Oh no! Sounds like maybe you needed more oil. What kind of pan did you use? Non stick works best in this case!
William Smith
Hi, Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe!
I've found difficulty measuring the salt in eggs. Can you suggest me any specific measurement of salt? I ended up making salty recipe earlier 🙁
Lauren Aloise
I would just add a pinch (1/4 a teaspoon if that helps!) and then add salt when serving if it's bland. You can also season the egg mixture and taste it -- gives you a pretty good idea!
William Smith
Oh Thanks a lot! Lauren!
Jose
Sorry Lauren Aloise, I put here, a video of the fabada of the restaurant from Asturias, which won in 2011, 2017 best fabada in the world
https://www.casachema.com/noticias-blog/136-la-mejor-fabada-del-mundo-en-where-is-asturias
Jose
Sorry Lauren, I've made a mistake, it was a comment for other post
Karen Booker
Did I miss something? I don’t see peas in the ingredients.
Lauren Aloise
Haha oh my goodness! Missed the key ingredient when copying from my draft! Thanks for pointing that out!
Paella School
Pro-onion team too! I've never tried tortilla with peas, I'll have to do it. Personally I also prefer runny eggs. Great blog!
Jose
History of the Spanish Tortilla, French Tortilla.
http://historiasdelahistoria.com/2014/09/22/la-tortilla-francesa-la-tortilla-espanola-y-la-tortilla-de-patatas-sin-patatas-ni-huevo
Emily
You and I are going to disagree forever on this, Lauren. I can't stand runny eggs. I need my tortilla cooked in the middle. I sent a tortilla española back (in an American restaurant).
Pop Spencer
My Auntie in Javea showed me how to make this, minus the ham, about 30 years ago when my wife and 3 children stayed with her. Since then it's been a staple of ours for picnics, parties and general dinners with salads. My wife and I finally moved out to Spain in February and live in a beautiful cave home in the Altiplano de Granada, and are always happy to get some tortilla as tapas or as a meal out, as well as cooking it in the cave