The Incredible EGG!

Eggs… An Amazingly Versatile Food! Although most people think of eggs as a breakfast food; they can be prepared many ways, making them ideal at almost any meal! We will explore 5 basic preparations of egg. Simmered (boiled) Poached Scrambled Omelet Fried

Simmered Eggs Although usually referred to as boiled eggs, to be cooked properly they should be simmered. Eggs cooked at a full boil tend to be rubbery and may have a grey or greenish ring surrounding the yolk. This is a “sulfur” ring. As there is no visual clue to determine doneness, timing is important. The longer the cook time, the more done the yolk becomes. Some people prefer soft boiled eggs (runny yolk) while other prefer hard boiled (fully cooked yolk). Simmered Egg Demo from Rouxbe.com

POACHED EGGS Poached eggs are removed from the shell and cooked in liquid. Since there is no shell to protect them they must be cooked at a lower temperature than simmered eggs. It is also suggested that a small amount of vinegar be added to the water as this will aid in coagulating the egg white and give the egg better form. A perfectly poached egg is the centerpiece of many classic breakfast dishes including Eggs Benedict. Alton Brown Poaches

SCRAMBLED EGGS Eggs are cracked and beaten before cooking. A small amount of liquid should be added; this creates steam and makes the end product fluffier. The heat should also be kept moderate so that eggs don’t become dry, rubbery, brown, or curdled. Gordon Ramsay’s Sublime Scrambled Eggs

OMELETS Omelets are an extension of scrambled eggs as they are simply a sheet of scrambled eggs served folded or rolled. Omelets often include a variety of ingredients such as cheese, meat, and vegetables. A frittata is an omelet variation that is served open.

Link for Fried Egg Demo By Rouxbe.com FRIED EGGS Typically cooked on a griddle top or in a saute’ pan with a small amount of fat. Chefs prefer to use butter. Fried eggs can be cooked to a variety of doneness including, easy, medium, and hard. The most simple preparation of fried eggs are “sunny-side up”. These are fried eggs that are not flipped over during cooking. Fried eggs are now popular on top of many non-traditional breakfast foods like burgers and rice dishes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1wjhJaAC4Y Link for Fried Egg Demo By Rouxbe.com

IS IT FRESH? Egg Freshness: The freshest eggs will sink when submerged in water. Eggs that float should only be used for baking or as part of cooked recipes. If an egg floats on its side; it’s time to toss it out.

The Anatomy of an Egg