Gorgeous Korean hot red-pepper flakes play a crucial role in Quick Kimchi, Korean-Style Romaine, Warm Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce. But you needn’t save the spice for only Korean dishes—blended with eggs and some roasted red pepper, the red-pepper flakes add sizzle to a Gruyère-filled omelet. Don’t skip the verdant topping of scallion, parsley, and lemon—it adds nice freshness and acidity.
1medium red bell pepper
2scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
2tablespoonschopped flat-leaf parsley
3tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
1/2teaspoongrated lemon zest
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice
1/2teaspoonsugar
1 1/2cupscoarsely grated Gruyère (1/4 lb)
4 to 5teaspoonscoarse Korean hot red-pepper flakes, divided
6large eggs
1/4cupheavy cream
4teaspoonsunsalted butter, divided
Lay bell pepper on its side on rack of a gas burner and turn flame on high. (Or broil on a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Roast, turning with tongs, until skin is blackened, 5 to 8 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl, then cover and let stand 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir together scallions, parsley, oil, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper, or to taste. Let stand while making omelets.
Toss cheese with 1 tsp red-pepper flakes.
Preheat oven to 200°F.
Peel, halve, stem, and seed roasted pepper. Purée with eggs, cream, 3 tsp red-pepper flakes (or 4 tsp for spicier omelets), and 1/4 tsp salt in a blender until smooth.
Heat 1 tsp butter in a 6- to 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then add 1/2 cup egg mixture. Cook, lifting edges to let uncooked egg run underneath and shaking skillet occasionally to loosen omelet, until almost set, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with one fourth of cheese, then gently turn omelet out onto a plate and keep warm in oven. Make 3 more omelets with remaining butter, egg mixture, and cheese, keeping warm in oven.
Serve omelets topped with scallion sauce.
Cooks’ note: Soup can be made 2 days ahead and chilled (covered once cool). Reheat before serving.
Hey, it’s just an omelet. How hard can it be? Well, depending on what you’re looking for, it can be super-easy or almost unattainable. Plus video tutorials on making the classic and modern omelet.
