Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (2024)

Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (1)

Yia-sas (Hello) from a not so sunny Greece

Apologies for the lack of email last week, I think I got a bit too relaxed here in Kalamata and in the holiday mode despite the weather here not being quite as good as we expected. It rains most days which is very unusual for this time of year.

Not that I’m complaining as it is warmer here than back home and I don’t like it too hot. This break is supposed to be more like getting a feel of living in a different country for a short time rather than a full-on holiday. I have managed to swim in the sea most days something I definitely would not be doing in the UK so I am happy.

Last week I posted the above image of a tortilla we had for our lunch on Instagram and someone asked me for the recipe. It is a dish I have made many, many times and was basically my Easy Spanish Tortilla/Omelette which is puiblished on Recipes Made Easy. This time I had added some chopped dill, a herb that is used a lot in Greek cooking and it was a delicious addition.

Anyway that made me think now would be great time to share my recipes for Tortilla and Frittata as they make great meals for warmer days.

Until next time.

Have a delicious week.

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Is Frittata simply the Italian name for what the Spanish would call a tortilla, or what we Brits refer to as an omelette? To satisfy my curiosity, I did a little research.

The word "frittata" in Italian comes from "friggere," which roughly translates to "fried." Originally, it was a general term for cooking eggs in a frying pan or skillet.

More recently, "frittata" has become a term for a deeper omelette with at least one additional ingredient mixed with the eggs before cooking. Unlike a conventional omelette, where the ingredients are added on top of a cooked omelette before folding.

In a frittata, the eggs may be whisked to incorporate more air compared to a traditional omelette, resulting in a deeper filling and a fluffier outcome. The mixture is then cooked over low heat, taking more time than an omelette, until the underside is set while the top remains slightly runny. It can be flipped, grilled briefly to set the top layer, or even baked. (source: Wikipedia)

So, essentially, a frittata is a flavourful, deep omelette. But how does it differ from a tortilla?

According to The Gormandmum, the main difference lies in how the eggs are finished. A tortilla is always cooked entirely on the stovetop, while a frittata is often finished in the oven.

Now, it's worth mentioning that this differs slightly from the Wikipedia definition, as there are variations in tortilla recipes. While a traditional tortilla is indeed cooked on the stovetop, I've come across many baked tortilla recipes as well, including my own Baked Tortilla.

So, we can conclude that a frittata and a tortilla are, in fact, really quite similar.

While both dishes involve eggs and cooking in a similar manner, the primary differences lie in their specific ingredients, preparation techniques, and cultural origins. Yet outside their native speaking country the names are almost interchangeable.

In the end, whether you're making a frittata, tortilla, or calling it an omelette, what matters most is creating a delicious dish that suits your taste and preferences. So go ahead, follow the recipes or experiment as I do. Call it what you will and enjoy the culinary journey creating a delicious dish that suits your taste and preferences.

Easy Spanish Tortilla

Easy Spanish Tortilla - Potato and Onion Omelette - makes a great midweek meal. Ideal for using up leftover cooked potatoes, or you can cook the potatoes from scratch to make this simple, quick and very, very tasty dish!

Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (3)

Spanish Tortilla Recipe

Pea and Spring Onion Frittata

This pea and spring onion frittata is ideal for lunch or a midweek evening meal. Delicious served hot or cold.

Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (4)

Frittata Recipe

Baked Tomato, Spinach and Mozzarella Tortilla

Perfect served hot or cold, this Baked Tomato, Spinach and Mozzarella Tortilla is nutritious, delicious and very easy to make.

Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (5)

Baked Tortilla Recipe

Have you seen?

Frozen Strawberry Greek Yogurt Lollies

Made with creamy Greek yogurt and juicy strawberries, these delightful treats are a healthier alternative to most ice creams and lollies.

Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (6)

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Is it a Tortilla, Frittata or Omelette? (2024)

FAQs

Is it frittata or tortilla? ›

The Frittata (Italian) and the Tortilla (Spanish) are very similar. The main difference between them seems to be how the eggs are finished. Both begin with the filling and the eggs, cooked on a hob in a frying pan. The frittata is traditionally finished in the oven and the tortillas are flipped and finished on the hob.

Is a frittata just an omelette? ›

While it's similar to an omelet, crustless quiche, and Spanish tortilla, the way a frittata is cooked is what sets it apart. Frittatas are generally thicker than omelets. A frittata is made with the exact same ingredients as an omelet, but here, the milk, or more preferably, cream, is crucial.

Is a tortilla an omelette? ›

The word tortilla, which is the diminutive form of torta, literally means 'small cake'. In European Spanish and in some variants of Latin American Spanish, it means omelette. A potato omelette is a tortilla de patatas or papas.

What is a frittata in Spanish? ›

Tortilla means omelette or frittata in Spanish (from Spain also called Castillian).

Is it an omelette or a omelette? ›

An omelet (or omelette) is a type of egg dish, often served at breakfast or brunch. Neither spelling is wrong, but there are some guidelines for when to use which.

Is tortilla bread or omelette? ›

It is a thick omelet whose main ingredients are eggs and potatoes. Until recently, the most traditional and documented origin of the tortilla was from a letter addressed to the Cortes de Navarra in 1817. In that letter it was mentioned that people in the capital ate beaten eggs mixed with potatoes and bread.

What do Mexicans call an omelette? ›

tortilla f francesa ⧫ torta f de huevos (Mexico) ▪ proverb: you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs no se puede hacer tortillas sin romper huevos.

What is a fancy word for omelette? ›

WordReference English Thesaurus © 2024. Synonyms: omelette (UK), egg , frittata, scrambled eggs, Spanish omelette.

Is an omelette just an egg? ›

An omelette (also spelled omelet) is a dish made from eggs, fried with butter or oil in a frying pan. It is a common practice for an omelette to include fillings such as chives, vegetables, mushrooms, meat (often ham or bacon), cheese, onions or some combination of the above.

What do the French call a frittata? ›

The word omelet is basic French while the Italians call their version a frittata.

What is a frittata in English? ›

Frittata is an egg-based Italian dish similar to an omelette or crustless quiche or scrambled eggs, enriched with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, or vegetables. The word frittata is Italian and roughly translates to 'fried'.

How do you eat frittata? ›

Frittata Serving Suggestions

To dress up individual slices, top them with additional fresh herbs or serve with sliced avocado, dollops of lemony yogurt, or scoops of pesto, pico de gallo or tomatillo salsa. For a weeknight dinner, I like to serve my frittata with a kale salad and some good bread.

What is another name for frittata? ›

What is another word for frittata?
omeletUSquiche
omeletteUKscrambled eggs
crustless quiche

What are 3 main differences between a frittata and a quiche? ›

Origin: Frittata is an Italian dish whereas quiche is a French dish. Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust. Base Ingredients: While both frittatas and quiches are made with eggs, quiche is made with an egg custard, which also includes cream or milk.

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