We want to start off our new recipe feature with that most basic of Spanish dishes, a potato omelette – tortilla de patatas. You can find these at every tapas bar in various types and sizes. With this recipe you can make any kind of tortilla you like by simply adding different ingredients such as spinach, roasted red peppers, jamón and chorizo, cheese, etc. Some of my favourite ones don’t have any potato at all.

The most important thing is to have a good thick frying pan that maintains heat evenly, and to make sure the potatoes are thoroughly cooked through before you add them to the eggs, but without letting them brown too much. Everybody has their own way of making tortillas, along with various flipping methods. Feel free to experiment!

• 1 kilo potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 6 eggs
• sea salt to taste
• olive oil

Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, then slice them again crosswise (into about 1 cm slices). Cut the onion into quarters and slice or chop finely. Heat a 22cm pan and add about 2 tbsps of olive oil. When the oil is hot add the sliced potatoes, stir well to coat them with oil, then turn heat down to med-low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring gently now and again. Add the onions and salt, mix well and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or so, until the potatoes are cooked through.

 Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add the cooked potato and onions (don’t worry if the egg starts cooking in the bowl). Stir well. Using the same pan add a bit more olive oil if necessary and turn up the heat until the oil begins to sputter, then add the egg mixture and immediately turn the heat down to low. When the omelette starts setting shake the pan gently so the sides of the omelette don’t stick, then continue cooking on low heat until it’s about 3/4 done. Slide it out onto a plate, invert the pan over the top and flip the omelette back into pan. Return to low heat and cook another five minutes or so until totally done. Let the tortilla cool to room temperature before serving.