one pot

I remember sitting at the kitchen table of a friend’s house when I was in high school. Her father was from Italy and her mother from Spain. Some of my closest friends had parents from Europe and as a teenager I thought European parents were always the best; they pretty much let you come and go as you please, you could talk to them about anything, they always offered you great food and on occasion even a glass of wine. But I digress…my friend’s father was slicing a baguette while he smoked a cigarette and her mother was at the stove cooking something that smelled delicious. The conversation was lively, with melodious changeovers to Spanish – almost like they forgot I was there for a moment. Her mother turned around and placed the dish in the center of the table, while her father placed the sliced baguette just beside the dish. It smelled delightful and looked fantastic, but I had no idea what it was. “It’s a tortilla”, her mother said. I was so impressed with this Spanish comfort food, that it became my ‘go to’ dish as I was first learning how to cook and it has remained one of my favorite dishes over the years.

In Spain, the Tortilla Española or Tortilla de Patatas, is possibly one of the most well-know dishes. The ingredients vary by region, but the most common version is a simple combination of potatoes, onions, and eggs. It is a versatile dish, which can be eaten warm, at room temperature, or even cold. It’s great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just as a snack.