Spanish Tortilla with Caramelized Onions, Thyme & Picual EVOO Aioli

Have you been searching for an easy, tasty, inexpensive, nutritious, one dish, meatless meal?  Well search no more.  The traditional Spanish tortilla is an egg and potato dish that fits this criteria.  It can be eaten hot but is just as delicious enjoyed at room temperature which makes it an ideal meal on a warm summer night.

I’ve paired the tortilla with a garlic aioli made from fruity Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  The Tortilla provides a nourishing comfort food, rich with egg and hearty potato.  The aioli condiment provides a counterbalance to the rich caramelized flavors of the tortilla with zesty lemon, piquant garlic and fruity extra virgin olive oil.  Add a simple salad and you have a well balanced, delicious meal.

Tortilla

3 pounds of waxy potatoes sliced 1/8″ thick, such as Yukon or Red Bliss
9 large eggs, beaten
1 large sweet onion sliced thin, such as Maui
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a 12″ cast iron skillet.  Add the sliced onions and saute until light brown in color add the thyme and saute for another minute. With a slotted spoon remove the onions and thyme and mix them in to the beaten eggs.  Season the egg-onion mixture with sea salt and pepper.  Heat the oven to 375.  With the oil remaining in the skillet, lightly season the potato slices with a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper and layer the slices in concentric circles at the bottom of the skillet.  Continue layering until all potatoes are used.  Brown the bottom layer of potatoes over medium heat-high for 2 minutes being careful not to burn the potatoes.  Pour in the egg-onion mixture over the potatoes and cover the skillet with a lid.  Place the covered skillet in to the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the egg layer on top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender.  Invert the tortilla on to a platter and serve warm or allow to cool to room temperature.  Serve with aioli.

Aioli

2 large egg yolks
1 cup Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt

Add the egg yolks and sea salt to the bowl of a food processor or in to a blender.  While processing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.  Stop the machine and scrape down the sides if necessary.  Once all the oil has been  added, pour in the lemon juice and process until combined.  Check for seasoning.