Cook’s notes

What makes this omelette so good? The lovely freshness of the ingredients, to start with. There is nothing in the omelette that comes out of a can. There is no pre-mixed seasoning either.

There’s egg, of course. It’s an omelette after all and you can’t cook an omelette without eggs. There’s fresh shiitake, bok choy, carrot, cilantro and chilies. All parts of the cilantro are used. The stems and roots are sauteed while the leaves serve as garnish.

Thai stuffed omelette (khai yat sai)

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Servings: 2 people

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Thai

Label: Omelette

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Ingredients

4 tablespoons cooking oil divided
3 to 4 shiitake (fresh is used here; if using dried, rehydrate in hot water for at least an hour)
1 small carrot peeled and chopped
6 stalks bok choy or pak choy
1 small bunch cilantro rinsed (stems, roots and leaves separated)
1 bird’s eye chili finely chopped
3 eggs beaten
salt to taste
pepper to taste
fried shallots to garnish

Dipping sauce

2 cloves garlic minced
2 bird’e eye chilies thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

Heat two tablespoons cooking oil in a pan, and add the carrot pieces and chili. Cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the cilantro roots and stems. Cook for another 30 seconds.
Next, the chopped shiitake mushrooms caps. Add to the pan and cook for another 30 seconds.
Finally, add the bok choy or pak choy. Stir then remove the pan from the heat.
Stir the mushroom mixture to the beaten eggs, and sprinkle in a little salt and pepper.
Reheat the remaining oil in the pan. Pour in the eggs and mushrooms and everything else. Cook over medium heat until set. DO NOT STIR.
Slide the omelet onto a flat surface — like a chopping board — and cut into slices then transfer to a plate.
Mix together all the ingredients for the dipping sauce. Drizzle a little over the omelette and serve the rest on the side.
Sprinkle the reserved cilantro leaves on top of the omelette.
Place a heap of fried shallots on the side.
Serve hot. For breakfast or anytime of the day. By itself. Or with bread. Or rice.