Traditionally eggs are associated with breakfast; but in
modern times eggs can either form the main ingredient of many dishes or it can
be an important side-ingredient of just as many dishes. The reason is that eggs
are very versatile because it can be used in a great variety of ways. They are excellent
in dishes where a light fluffy or foamy texture is required due to their
foaming and thickening properties.
There are two interesting cooking facts about eggs that
every chef or wannabe-chef should know: very hot heat should be avoided in
cooking eggs and eggs go on cooking even after the heat is turned off. A
further attribute of eggs is that although heat solidifies an egg, the white
hardens at a much lower temperature than the yolk, which means that with
accurate cooking temperature and timing a perfectly cooked egg with the white
set but the yolk beautifully running can be obtained.
Generally, eggs are full of nutritive values – it contains
high-quality protein, which includes all eight amino acids, sodium, chloride,
sulphur, iron, pantothenic and vitamins A and B12. Additionally the yolk
contains biotin and vitamin D. The only negative attribute is that the yolks
are high in cholesterol. Fortunately, with trial and error, this problem could
be solved: For example, when making scramble eggs, combine one whole egg with
the white of a second egg. The fat, kilo-joules, and cholesterol will be only
the half of two whole eggs. With many recipes, the same strategy can be
followed with success: substitute two egg whites for one whole egg.
But, enough serenading the attributes of eggs. The proof of
the pudding is in eating it. Therefore, here are 5 delicious ways to use eggs:
1. Carrot, celery, and egg salad
Ingredients
Preparation
Grate the carrots coarsely and place in a bowl. Grate celery
and add to carrots.
Dice eggs into small pieces and add to carrots and celery.
Blend lemon juice into mayonnaise and add to salad. Season with salt and pepper
and mix ingredients together.
Serve this on lettuce.
2. Egg mousse
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, hard-boiled
- 1½ tsp. powdered gelatine
- A small bunch of watercress
Preparation
Melt the butter in a saucepan over a gentle heat, remove the
pan and stir in the flour then, when it is well blended, gradually stir in the
milk to make a smooth sauce. Return the pan to the heat and, stirring all the time,
bring the sauce to the boil and boil it for a few minutes to cook the flour.
Check the sauce for seasoning and set it on one side. Chop the eggs roughly and
mix them into the sauce with the chopped parsley. Add seasoning if necessary.
Dissolve the powdered gelatine in the water in a small pan
over a gentle heat, and then stir it into the egg sauce.
Grease a ring mold with a little salad oil, then pour in
the mousse and smooth over the surface. Leave to set then turn it out and
garnish with watercress.
3. Eggs in bread
rolls
Ingredients
- ¾ tablespoon chopped fresh chives, savory and chervil
Preparation
Cut a slice off the bottom from each roll and scoop out the
entire soft crumb inside.
Work the herbs into the cheese spread and season with salt
and pepper. Line the inside of each roll with the cheese. Break an egg into
each, top with flakes of butter and bake in a moderate oven (190⁰C)
for 14-16 minutes, until the eggs are set to liking.
4. Egg pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickle
Preparation
Roll out half the dough on a floured board and line a 15 cm
flan ring with it.
Cut he eggs in halves lengthways and lay them flat on the
pastry, radiating from the centre. Melt the butter; blend in the flour and
curry powder. Add the milk and stir with a whisk until it boils. Boil for a
minute or two, remove from the heat, and stir in the pickle and season with
salt. Pour over the eggs and leave until cold before covering.
Roll out the rest of the dough. Moisten the edge of the
crust with cold water and cover the flan with the second piece, pressing the
two edges together to stick firmly. Trim the edge and decorate the rim by
marking with a knife handle. Prick the top with a fork, brush with milk and
bake in a hot oven (200⁰C) for 20-30 minutes, until nicely browned.
5. Savoury eggs
Ingredients
- 1 cooked kipper fillet, skinned
Preparation
Cut one-third off each egg at the pointed end and scoop out
the yolks.
Put the yolks in a basin and beat them with a fork, then
beat in the flaked kipper fillet and moisten the mixture with a very little of
the mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut a shaving off the rounded end of each egg to enable them
to stand firmly, then stuff them with filling to just above the rim.
Replace the tops.
Arrange the eggs on a plate with a small spoonful of
mayonnaise to anchor them and dust with paprika.
6. Quick ham and egg
snack
Lay slices of cooked ham on a greased ovenproof plate. Break
an egg into a cup and slip it beside the ham. Bake the egg in a moderate oven, (180⁰ C)
for seven or eight minutes, just to set the egg, and by this time the ham will
be hot.
7. Cheese, leek and
egg pie
Ingredients
- ½ cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 small egg, beaten and a small amount of additional grated
Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked ham, cut into pieces
- 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
Preparation
Sift the flour with a pinch of salt. Grate the margarine
coarsely and add the grated cheese. Stir these ingredients evenly through the
flour with a knife. Add enough cold water to make the dough just a little
softer than crust pastry. Cover in creased paper and set aside.
Slit the leeks lengthwise and wash. Cut it into small pieces
and boil in boiling water for 4-5 minutes and drain the liquid.
Melt the butter and remove from heat. Stir in 1 Tbsp.
additional flour and dry mustard.
Add the milk and stir the sauce over a gentle heat until it
reach boiling point and is thick. Season with salt and pepper. Add the leeks
and meat to the sauce and place in an oven-proof dish. Soft boil the 6 eggs and
shell it. Make hollows for each egg and place the eggs in it. Leave until cold.
Roll out the pastry and cover the top of the pie. Brush the
dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle the grated additional cheese.
Bake the pie in a hot oven (220⁰ C) for 15 minutes. Reduce
heat to 180⁰
C for a further 15 minutes.
8. Eggs with
anchovies on bread
Ingredients
- 6 medium sized canned anchovy fillets
Preparation
Drain the anchovy fillets and soak them in the milk for
about 5 minutes; remove, drain and chop it into pieces.
Melt the butter in a saucepan and pour into an oven-proof
dish.
Place the chopped pieces in the dish and spread it evenly
out.
Break the eggs over the anchovies; making sure the eggs are
evenly distributed in the dish.
Cover the dish and bake in a pre-heated oven for 5 – 6
minutes.
Serve with French bread.
9. Bacon, mincemeat, eggs, and mushrooms bake
Ingredients
Preparation
Melt the butter in a pan. Add the bacon and fry gently.
Add the sliced mushrooms and mincemeat and fry for a further
3 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Break the eggs individually into a cup and slide each egg
carefully into the pan.
Cover and cook over low heat until eggs are to liking.
10. Eggs served in
baked potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. grated Cheddar cheese
Preparation
Cut a small slice off the top of each potato and make a hole
for the egg.
Add a ¼ Tbsp. of butter to each hole, season with salt and pepper
and egg into each potato’s hole.
Top each egg with 1 Tbsp. grated cheese.
Place the potatoes on a greased baking plate and bake in a
moderate oven until cooked to liking.
Eggs are there for the enjoyment. By using one’s imagination
and culinary skills, egg dishes or dishes with eggs as secondary ingredient can
be out of this world!
Enjoy and remember to compliment the chef!