Eggs. One of the most common pantry foods that most Americans have stocked up in their fridge. We use eggs in a variety of different dishes, whether you're using them for baking, to make dough, as a coating for fried food, or mixed into sauces. This humble ingredient is truly amazing when you think of all the ways it can be used. Let's try to cover 20 of them today, opening your eyes to some cooking methods you might not have known about before.
1. Fried Eggs
Arguably the most common method of cooking eggs, the fried egg is a classic. Perfect as a quick morning meal, great for going into sandwiches, topped on rice, and so much more, the fried egg is not only delicious, it's so easy to prepare. You can have it sunny-side up with the yolk nice and runny, over-easy with the yolk slightly cooked, or over-hard with a fully cooked yolk. How do you best prefer yours done?
Image by Richard Eisenmenger from Pixabay
2. Scrambled Eggs
If you're not a big fan of egg yolks, your favourite way to eat eggs is likely scrambled. All whisked together and seasoned nicely, you're left with creamy and rich eggs that pair great with any breakfast food. There are a ton of different recipes online that all boast they have the "best scrambled egg recipe", so why not give them a go?
Image by Mario Cvitkovic from Pixabay
3. Boiled Eggs
Depending on what you're making, sometimes the recipe calls for a good ol' boiled egg. Arguably the easiest method of preparation, all you need to do is place the eggs in some boiling water and carefully watch the time. Remove the eggs earlier and you're left with a delicious soft-boiled egg, but leave it in longer and you'll get a fully cooked through, hard-boiled one.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
4. Poached Eggs
Everyone who loves a creamy, runny yolk absolutely loves poached eggs. It's one of the best ways to get the most tender and creamy result. And there's no doubt that cutting into that oozing yolk will be Instagram-worthy each and every time. It's just so satisfying.
Photo by David B Townsend on Unsplash
5. Omelette
If one egg just isn't doing it for you, how about combining several of them to make a filling and tasty omelette? Not only do you get to enjoy soft and fluffy eggs, but on the inside, there's a bunch of your favourite fillings like cheese, veggies, and meats all packed full. Customize it however you want!
6. Baked Eggs (Shakshuka)
With a name as fun as that, you know it's got to be good. Shaksuka, also known as baked eggs, features a delicious tomato sauce spiced with peppers, onions, and other seasonings. And right dab in the middle is a baked egg with the yolk still perfectly runny. It's served with some toasted bread that is great for dipping, creating an explosion of flavour with every bite.
7. Deviled Eggs
A popular potluck item and appetizer, deviled eggs certainly give a unique take on this humble food. Taking the yolk from a hard-boiled egg, it's blended with other ingredients like mayo, mustard, and spices before being piped back directly into the egg white. It's like an elevated hard-boiled egg in a way.
8. Egg Salad
Great in sandwiches or simply topped on a cracker, egg salad is a refreshing way to prepare eggs. After hard-boiling your eggs, chop them up until they're in small pieces. That's when the magic happens - mix it with mayo, mustard, diced celery, and some herbs to create a creamy and rich blend.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
9. Quiche
Just think of a quiche as an egg pie. This hearty way of cooking eggs is incredibly filling and satisfying to eat; you can pick your favourite foods to throw in the egg mixture, or simply use leftover ingredients from the fridge. All you need to do is bake it until everything is nicely set, leaving you with a thick and savory pie made out of eggs.
Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash
10. Frittata
When it comes to food, you can always trust the Italians to know what they're doing, even with something as simple as cooking an egg. And with their classic egg dish the frittata being utterly delicious, they proved this to be true again. Just think of the frittata as a thick, Italian-style omelette that's packed with all the goodies like vegetables, meats, and cheeses. It's one breakfast item you'll race out of bed to eat.
Photo by Subagus Indra on Unsplash
11. Coddled Eggs
Before you skip to the next item on this list because "coddled" eggs sounds a bit strange, hear us out! For all the soft egg lovers, this might be something you'll want to try. Gently cooked in a special coddling dish, the egg comes out somewhere between being poached and soft-boiled. It's quite simple, but just take some buttered, toasted bread and dip it in - you'll quickly see why it's so delicious.
12. Cloud Eggs
Cloud eggs sound a bit dreamy, don't they? It immediately makes you picture the fluffiest eggs ever. And in a way, they are! Prepared in a unique fashion where the egg whites are whipped until stiff, they're then baked with the yolk placed back in the center. While it does seem like a lot of extra work, you won't complain once you get a bite of that incredibly airy and light texture.
Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay
13. Tamago (Japanese Sweet Omelette)
If you love a bit of sweet and savory with your breakfast foods, you'll definitely appreciate what Japan's got cooking. Tamago, aka Japanese omelette, is such a fun way to prepare an egg. By repeatedly folding the thin layers in a custom rectangular pan, you're left with a light and fluffy layered egg that's seasoned with a bit of sweetness.
14. Basted Eggs
Not a huge fan of egg whites? If the soft, sometimes slimy texture is offputting to you, you might want to check out basted eggs. Essentially a fried egg with a runny yolk, you then pour a spoonful of hot fat or water to gently cook the rest of the whites on top. This means you'll still get that creamy yolk, but with whites that are fully cooked.
15. Spanish Tortilla
No, we don't mean tortilla as in the wrap used for burritos and tacos. A Spanish tortilla is a little bit different; it's essentially a thick omelette that's made with eggs, potatoes, and onions. It's a hearty mix of ingredients that will definitely leave you feeling satisfied and energized in the morning.
Luca Nebuloni from Milan, Italy on Wikimedia Commons
16. Eggs Benedict
A popular brunch item, Eggs Benedict is a classic dish that really highlights the beauty of eggs. While the toasted and buttered English muffin and bacon are delicious, it's the poached egg that really shines. You can't call your Eggs Benedict a good one if the yolk isn't perfectly runny.
17. Scotch Eggs
Over in the UK, they've created something truly bizarre and unique. Imagine a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. Now picture that all deep-fried until the outside is nice and golden. Creating a one-bite explosion of flavour, the Scotch egg is truly amazing. It's easily packable too, making it great for picnics or potlucks.
Sodanie Chea from Norwalk, Ca, United States
18. Steamed Eggs
It's so amazing to see how eggs can be served in a variety of different textures. One consistency we haven't yet explored is the steamed egg. This is arguably the most delicate and light egg dish of them all; the steaming process results in a silky, custardy egg that is light as air. Typically seasoned with soy sauce and garnished with green onions, it's a fantastic flavour and texture experience you have to try.
Andy Li, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
19. Century Eggs
While a name like century egg might scare you a little bit, we can assure you there's nothing to fear. Also known as preserved eggs, these are a staple in Chinese cuisine. By preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs for several weeks to months at a time, you end up with these dark, scary-looking eggs. Don't worry though, they haven't gone bad. Just a heads up, the taste is rather strong and might not be suitable for many people.
20. Egg Drop Soup
Last but not least, we can't leave out the popular Chinese dish, egg drop soup. The name is essentially how you make it. By pouring (or "dropping") beaten eggs into the hot broth, you'll watch in amazement as beautiful ribbon-like strands form. The result is fluffy eggs that soak in all the wonderful flavours of the broth, leaving you with a comforting dish that will warm you right up.
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