This Spanish tortilla with Calabrian chile butter takes the traditional dish to the next level. With a spicy butter, caramelized leeks, sauteed mushrooms, and a lemony arugula salad, this is fancy breakfast done right!
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What makes this dish special
When I visited Spain two years ago, I stumbled upon a tapas restaurant and tried my very first Spanish tortilla. I'll cut to the chase and tell you, it was just okay. Then the following day, I went on a food tour and tried a Spanish tortilla at a place that specialized in the dish. What a difference! It was the same simple recipe of potatoes and eggs, but it tasted completely different. The outside was a little crispy while the inside was almost creamy.
It was at that moment that I decided I had to try making it myself. I took the same basic recipe and added a few extra ingredients to make a Spanish tortilla with Calabrian chile butter and caramelized leeks, sauteed oyster mushrooms, and a lemony arugula salad. Let me just say, wow.
For more fantastic breakfast ideas, check out my southwestern hash with chimichurri eggs, bacon tomato basil fontina frittata, and eggs florentine on bacon and cheese waffles!
Ingredients
- Calabrian chilies: Add a spicy, vibrant heat to the butter, providing a modern twist to the traditional Spanish tortilla.
- Leeks: Offer a milder, sweeter alternative to onions. They provide a subtle, delicate onion-like flavor that adds depth to the tortilla without being overpowering.
- Potatoes: The foundational ingredient of a Spanish tortilla. They create a dense, satisfying texture and absorb the flavors of the oil and other ingredients. Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or gold potatoes hold their shape well and are ideal for tortillas.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide the custardy base of the tortilla. They create the characteristic texture - dense yet creamy - that makes a Spanish tortilla unique.
- Oyster mushrooms: Add an earthy, umami flavor and a meaty texture to the dish.
- Arugula: Brings a peppery freshness that cuts through the richness of the tortilla.
- Manchego: A traditional Spanish cheese that adds a nutty, slightly sharp flavor.
- Fresh herbs: Fresh dill and parsley contribute brightness and freshness to the dish.
Substitutions and variations
- Vegetables: You can replace mushrooms with another vegetable such as sauteed peppers or spinach.
- Toppings: You can experiment with different herbs and salad greens for the arugula salad, using baby kale, parmesan, or cilantro.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Make butter
It's incredible to think that the basic Spanish tortilla is just eggs and potatoes. And yet, if made right, it can be so delicious. I wanted to make my tortilla substantial enough to stand as a meal so I added in a few extra ingredients.
I know Spanish food doesn't usually have any spice but I wanted a little kick in this dish, hence the Calabrian chile butter. You can adjust the number of chilies to your preference. Just as a guideline, 3 chilies for ¼ cup butter will yield a mild tortilla.
Step 2: Cook vegetables
To counter the spicy element, I wanted to add something sweet. That's where the caramelized leeks come in. Saute the leeks until softened and browned in a saute pan over medium heat and remove from heat.
Thinly slice the potatoes either by hand or with a mandoline, then, in the same pan, heat ½ cup oil. I know it seems like a lot of oil but you're cooking a good amount of potatoes. You need all that oil to coat the potatoes and cook them all together evenly.
Ideally, the potatoes shouldn't brown, but I don't mind a few browned edges. Flip the potatoes over as they cook, then remove them from the pan and drain the excess oil on paper towels. The potatoes should be tender but not mushy. They're going to keep cooking with the eggs so you don't want the potatoes to just fall apart.
Whisk the eggs then pour them over the potatoes and leeks. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, allowing the ingredients to really meld together.
Step 3: Finish tortilla
Now melt 2 tablespoons of the Calabrian chile butter along with 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan and add the potato egg mixture. Once the edges are set, reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
Next comes the tricky part, flipping the tortilla over. Loosen the edges by running a spatula around the tortilla. If you want to be extra safe, you can slide the tortilla onto a plate, then flip it over onto another plate and back into the pan. This way, you'll avoid having any oil or butter splatter on you.
Then, melt the remaining Calabrian chile butter in the pan and slide the tortilla back. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes.
Recipe tip
If you rather avoid flipping over the tortilla, you can finish it in the oven instead. Continue cooking the tortilla in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes or until the tortilla has set.
Step 4: Prepare toppings
Spanish tortillas are supposed to be enjoyed at room temperature or warm, not hot. So, while the tortilla cools slightly, saute the mushrooms. I chose oyster mushrooms because I love the crispy edges but you can swap them out for cremini, button, or even maitake.
Toss some fresh arugula with olive oil, herbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and top the tortilla with the mushrooms and salad.
As much as I enjoy a basic Spanish tortilla, I love this Spanish tortilla with Calabrian chile butter. Every once in a while, you get a little bit of chili, waking up your taste buds. The fresh arugula salad brightens up the hearty eggs and potatoes while the crispy mushrooms add more texture and umami. I think Spain would be proud!
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: Spanish tortillas are often served at room temperature and can be made in advance.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use regular butter, but you'll lose the spicy kick. You could add some red pepper flakes for heat if desired.
A well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan works best for easy flipping and even cooking.
Yes, these are additional toppings. A traditional Spanish tortilla is made with just potatoes, eggs, and sometimes onions. However, the extra toppings make the tortilla more substantial, making it a meal all by itself.
More hearty breakfast recipes
Looking for more hearty breakfast ideas? Try these:
Recipe
Spanish Tortilla with Calabrian Chile Butter
Ingredients
Calabrian chile butter
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 4 Calabrian chilies finely chopped
Spanish tortilla
- ½ cup vegetable oil plus 2 tbsp divided
- 2 leeks tops removed, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ pounds potatoes peeled, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 6 eggs beaten
- salt and pepper
Remaining ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 8 ounces oyster mushrooms
- 2 cups arugula
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup manchego cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Make the Calabrian chile butter. Beat together the softened butter with chopped chilies until well combined. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, season with salt and pepper, and saute until softened and browned, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the leeks to a large bowl.
- In the same pan, heat ½ cup oil. Add the sliced potatoes and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook until the potatoes are tender, carefully turning them over throughout the cooking process. If the potatoes break easily, they are overcooked. Remove from heat and drain the excess oil, reserving the oil.
- Transfer the potatoes to the bowl with the leeks. Add the eggs and season with salt and pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon reserved oil and 2 tablespoons Calabrian chile butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Pour the potato egg mixture into the pan and cook until the edges have set, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
- Insert a rubber spatula into the pan and run it around the edges to loosen the tortilla. Turn off the heat and place a plate on top of the pan. Carefully invert the pan so that the tortilla is on the plate.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons Calabrian chile butter in the pan. Gently, slide the tortilla back into the pan so that the bottom is now facing up. Continue to cook the Spanish tortilla for 4-5 minutes or until almost set. The tortilla should still be slightly runny in the center.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in another skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the oyster mushrooms until browned and caramelized. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
- Toss the arugula with juice of ½ lemon, olive oil, manchego, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Top the warm Spanish tortilla with the sauteed mushrooms and arugula salad. Serve immediately.
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