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Eggs are a good source of protein and an easy fix for a quick meal.
Eggs are also used as an emulsifier and the whites for aeration.
Eggs are susceptible to salmonella poisoning and should be kept under refrigeration until use.
The yolk is high in cholesterol and is recommended to have fewer than 4 per week.
Some common cooking methods:
Poached- There are two ways to poach. First, boil water and add 1 tsp of salt and 1oz of vinegar, bring the water to a simmer and add one egg at a time, cook eggs to desired doneness and remove with a slotted spoon. Second (my favorite), using a poacher –add water to the base and place eggs in the tray cups with butter, cover with provided lid. Cook to desired doneness.
Basted (steamed)-to cook the egg whites fully, also the cheating way to make an over easy egg
Boiled –hard-soft – If available use older eggs; add salt to the water, when simmered add eggs. Soft boiled eggs take approximately 3-5 minutes and hard 7 minutes or more.
Other methods: Over easy, Sunny side up and Scrambled
The following egg genres require a little more time and preparation:
Omelets-try adding smoked salmon or marinara sauce
Benedict-the key is the creamy hollandaise
Frittata, Meringue, Mousse, Quiche, Soufflé
My multi-layer Mousse recipe will be posted shortly…stay tuned!
What constitutes a great chicken soup?
The stock that’s jelly when cooled!
After many years of preparing chicken soup I’ve devised the perfect recipe.
Start with sweating (cooking on low heat releasing moisture) the following vegetables in a stock pot – Do not add oil!
(Basic mirepoix : onions 50%, celery 25%, carrot 25%)
For our needs: 5 onions, 1 small head of celery, 3 large carrots
Wash the vegetables. DO NOT PEEL the carrots, the skin contains the sweetness and nutrients.
Add: Dill, Sweet potato, squash, or zucchini to make your soup distinctive.
Using a long wood spoon constantly stir your vegetables, you don’t want to brown or burn your stock.
Add 4-5 lbs. chicken bones – keeping the price modest.
Add water to just cover the chicken. Cover your stock pot, leave heat on low for 6-8 hours.
Every once in a while peek and stir, enjoying the heavenly aroma.
Remove all bones and vegetables from your stock using a china cap or strainer. Before discarding the garbage squeeze out the flavor into the stock. With cheesecloth remove the impurities from the stock.
Allow to cool and let sit in a refrigerator overnight.
The next day you will notice a fat layer on top of your stock. Remove this layer!
Place the stock back on a low flame and add your choice of fresh vegetables (see above) cut into pieces. Let simmer for 2 hours or until your vegetables are cooked and soft. Serve with egg noodles.
Enjoy!
The presidential race is heating up, Barack Obama has chosen a running mate-Joe Biden (said Bye-den), and after the Republican convention so will John McCain, that name sounds familiar, remember the Die Hard Movies, John Mclean, played by Bruce Willis.
So in honor of this hodgepodge I suggest sitting down in front of the internet with a bowl of nachos and cheese and my family’s famous tex mex while watching the politics unfold.
Here’s where you need to be creative. In a ramekin make the following layers:
Base: Refried beans
Guacamole
Salsa
Sour cream
Cheddar cheese on top with black olives and hot jalapeños’
Enjoy the race!
Remember going into the woods and picking fresh berries or climbing trees for the perfect cherries, apples or pears? I remember coming home with hives, scrapes and bruises. Here’s the lowdown… Remember being told “wash your fruit before you eat it”; or “those over there maybe poisonous”? We learn the hard way don’t we?
MMmmmmmm Blueberries! Get them from the market now!
Fresh wild blueberries! Create a refreshing breakfast with yogurt, blueberries and granola. Hot day, top some blueberries on a bowl of vanilla ice cream or blend and make a berry shake. Top a cheese filled crepe (blintz) with a homemade blueberry sauce.
Remember, when making your crepe always use a plastic spatula and a non-stick fry pan! Season your pan well and you will be able to use less oil. Keep this pan separate, and only use it for making crepes or pancakes, the investment is worth it.
Going over for an end of a summer barbecue? Treat your host with a fresh baked blueberry cobbler or pie. You will always be remembered in the good books! PS. Don’t forget the beer – wow them with a unique micro-brew forget the good books, you’ll go down in history!
