DON’T ASK ME HOW IN THE WORLD WHAT Southerners call a Spanish omelette crept into the breakfast repertory (the only ingredients remotely associated with Spanish cuisine are onions and bell peppers), but I’ve been eating this omelette at various venues in the South ever since my grandmother fixed her version on Sunday mornings when I was a child. Perhaps the most famous Spanish omelette is the unfolded one topped with a Creole sauce at Antoine’s restaurant in New Orleans, but, curiously, that luncheon omelette doesn’t even include the traditional onions and bell peppers, only peas and mushrooms. Feel free to add a few chopped mushrooms (and a little minced garlic), if you like.

Makes 1 large omelette

INGREDIENTS

• 4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) butter
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped onions
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 3 large eggs
• 1⁄4 cup fresh or frozen and thawed boiled green peas
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over moderate heat.
2. Add the onions and bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs.
4. Add the cooked onions, peppers, peas, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the beaten eggs. Stir until well blended.
5. In a medium skillet, melt the remaining butter over low heat.
6. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and stir until the eggs begin to set.
7. With a spatula, flip one half of the omelette over the other half.
8. Let it sit for about 1 minute, then transfer to a heated plate.
9. Serve immediately.