RV Omelets

My Number One Fan gets total credit for bringing this recipe to Kitchen Tapestry. We don't own an RV, but if we did, we would probably make more of these delicious omelets, made in a Ziploc freezer bag and dropped in boiling water for thirteen minutes.  Still, even without the RV, it's nice to be able to have a delicious breakfast omelet with virtually nothing to clean up. To be sure, it is no substitute for a genuine pan-made omelet, recipes for which you can get by clicking here.  That said, however, this is a damn good alternative for those mornings when you feel a little lazy and just don't want the hassle of cleaning up.  Or, if you're in an RV (or camping out), and have limited space (or patience for conducting housekeeping chores).

Now, there is some controversy surrounding this technique. This recipe was in pretty hot Internet circulation a few years ago until some Buzz-Kill at the University of Illinois said this technique might be leaching plastic into your diet.  Even the website at S.C.Johnson, manufacturer of Ziploc, says:

Can I boil in Ziploc® Brand Bags?
No. Ziploc® Brand Bags are not designed to withstand the extreme heat of boiling.

So, in the interest of full disclosure, you have to weigh the risk for yourself, but I don't have a problem with it.  In the first place, I do not let the foodstuffs sit in the bag for any length of time prior to cooking, and I use the freezer-style bags, which are considerably thicker than the standard plastic sandwich bag.  Secondly, we have observed that the plastic remains firm and unaltered to the touch after removing from the boiling water; it isn't softened or melted in any way. And finally, of course the risk management lawyers at S.C. Johnson are going to say their product was not designed for this purpose to avoid any possibility of a product liability lawsuit.  Why would they say otherwise?

By the way, this method of omelet cooking uses no butter or cream, two ingredients necessary for cooking the more conventional recipe.

Ingredients
2 fresh large eggs
any combination of:

• cooked bacon
• cooked sausage
• chopped ham
• chopped green onion
• chives
• any style of cheese

I do not recommend tomatoes as an ingredient.  We found that they leech too much water and make the omelet soupy.

The Recipe
Bring a large pot of water to boil.  You want enough room for the Ziploc bags to roll and tumble while cooking.

Whisk the eggs well and pour into a sandwich-size Ziploc Freezer bag.  Add whatever ingredients you want in your omelet.  Zip up the bag and shake to combine the ingredients, then "burp" the bag so you get out as much air as you can.

Put the Ziploc bags in the rolling, boiling water.  Immediately set the timer for thirteen minutes.  You do not need to wait until the water resumes boiling to commence the countdown. Do not overcook.

Carefully remove the Ziploc bags from the water and slip contents onto a plate.