Possibly, the spanish tortilla or “tortilla de patata” is one of the best known dishes of Spanish gastronomy, along with the Valencian paella or the Andalusian gazpacho. Since its birth, the recipe has spread throughout the country and today there is no doubt that the Spanish tortilla cannot be associated with a specific region, but rather it belongs to everyone.
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What is the origin of the Spanish tortilla?
For years, the legend of the origin of the Spanish tortilla recipe was in Navarre, in the year 1835, when General Tomás de Zumalacárregui, during the First Carlist War, was looking for nutritious and cheap food for his troops.
Although its origin is not really known, the oldest recipe in history has been found, dating from 1798, originating in Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz). According to this recipe, it was created by chance and due to the scarcity of food at that time, where people were very hungry. The most common foods were eggs and potatoes and they decided to fry them together.
Since then, this potato omelette recipe has evolved. There are those who prefer to eat it with onions and those who consider that the true Spanish tortilla is cooked without onions, only with its original ingredients: eggs and potatoes.
There is also a dilemma between those who like their “tortilla de patata” cold and those who consider that the only way to enjoy a Spanish tortilla is hot.
Finally, we will also find different opinions regarding if a Spanish tortilla is tastier curdled or uncured.
Traditional spanish tortilla recipe
The Spanish tortilla recipe is one of the first ones we should all learn to make. The ingredients (for four people) of the classic spanish tortilla are: 5 eggs, 500 grams of potatoes (already peeled), oil and salt. And the basic rules to make a good spanish tortilla are:
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- Choose firm, non-floury potatoes.
- Fresh eggs, as fresh as possible, better even if they are free range or organic.
- It is better to fry the potatoes in an oil that is not too strong, such as a mild olive oil or sunflower oil instead of extra virgin olive oil, as this oil gives too much of its flavor to the tortilla.
Preparation of the Spanish tortilla step by step
Here is how to make a finger-licking spanish tortilla step-by-step:
1. Cut the potatoes into small slices or dice (to taste) into regular sized pieces so that they fry equally.
2. Cover with oil and fry over low heat in the pan, moving them from time to time so that they do not stick. When the potato is tender, turn up the heat at the end, so that the edges of the potato brown.
3. Once fried, drain the oil well and season with fine salt so that it is well integrated into the potato. Then, they are passed to a bowl where they will be the eggs very well beaten and seasoned also.
4. Take the mixture to a non-stick frying pan a little deep in which we will have put a drizzle of olive oil. Add the potato mixture when the pan is already hot. Stir the whole mixture with a paddle over high heat.
5. Cover the frying pan with a plate and turn the frying pan upside down quickly, collecting the tortilla on the plate. Transfer the omelet back to the pan to cook on the other side. If you like the tortilla juicy in the center, leave it half the time you had it on the other side, and if you like it more curdled, the same time on both sides.
The best tortillas are also in Valencia
We propose a list of some of the places where you can have the best tortillas in Valencia. With onion or without onion, cold or hot, curdled or uncured. The important thing is that you enjoy this delicious and tasty dish.
Alhambra Bar
Surely, one of the most famous places in Valencia to eat tortillas. Its fame is due to its tortillas of 15 cm high, 32 eggs and 4 kilos of weight. You can’t visit Valencia and not pass by here to taste its tortillas. It is located in C/Calixto III, 8.
Rausell Bar
This bar-restaurant is famous in Valencia for being one of the best places to order take-out food. One of their most famous and tasty tapas is the Spanish tortilla. You can visit them at C/Ángel Guimerà, 61.
Bar Cafeteria Plaza
In the heart of Valencia you will find this small bar where you can taste a tender but consistent tortilla. Here you can taste it as a skewer (a piece of tortilla over a toasted slice of bread, by itself or with extra ingredients) and as a sandwich. Also, afterwards you can take a walk through the center. It is located in C/Almudín, 12.
Tortillea Brewery
This place is dedicated to tortillas and offers its customers different types. Among others, there are ham tortillas, foie, Galician octopus, boletus, black and white… and its Spanish tortilla, of course. Visit them at C/ de Luis García-Berlanga Martí, 7.
From our Spanish school in Spain we hope you can enjoy this tasty dish, so typical of our land, on your visit to the city of Valencia, don’t miss it!
