Healdsburg Press - The egg cookbook : the creative farm-to-table guide to cooking fresh eggs

Copyright 2014 by Healdsburg Press, Berkeley, California

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Requests to the publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, Healdsburg Press, 918 Parker St., Suite A-12, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering medical, legal or other professional advice or services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an individual, organization or website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the individual, organization or website may provide or recommendations they/it may make. Further, readers should be aware that Internet websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.

For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the United States at (866) 744-2665, or outside the United States at (510) 253-0500.

Healdsburg Press publishes its books in a variety of electronic and print formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books, and vice versa.

TRADEMARKS: Healdsburg Press and the Healdsburg Press logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Callisto Media Inc. and/or its affiliates, in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Healdsburg Press is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

ISBN: Print 978-1-62315-388-5 | eBook 978-1-62315-389-2

Introduction

T here is a good chance that at some point in the last week you ate an egg in some form. Perhaps it was for breakfast, on a sandwich, or in a cake or cookie for dessert. Eggs are a huge part of most meal plans and many people are taking a special interest in this amazing food. Many consumers want new recipes, cooking techniques, and even information on how to raise their own chickens in order to have access to healthy, fresh eggs daily. This book will answer many questions you might have concerning eggs (and chickens) as well as provide more than 110 easy recipes to expand your cooking repertoire and introduce new ways to enjoy eggs.

This book is broken down into easy-to-follow sections that:

• Introduce various chicken breeds
• Educate about the types of eggs available
• Answer common questions on raising chickens and cooking with eggs
• Describe egg dishes from around the world
• Walk you through basic egg preparations
• Discuss the tools and equipment that make egg cooking and preparation simpler
• Outline tips to save time and money when planning, preparing, and storing your egg-based meals

Eggs are some of the most economical ingredients for home-cooked meals, which have become increasingly important for people looking to scale back on dining out and avoid processed, pre-made foods and meals. Backyard chicken coops take home meal preparation one step further, making fresh, nutritious eggs readily available for those carefully considering health and budget. You certainly dont need to set up your own chicken coop if you want to include more eggs in your diet, but it is nice to know that so much support and information is available if you wish to go this route. Bottom line, eggs are a healthy, versatile meal choice, and they are quick and easy to prepare for both beginners as well as seasoned home cooks.

PART ONE

Understanding Eggs

CHAPTER ONE

The Chickens and the Eggs

Eggs probably seem like the simplest ingredients in your fridge, but there is a great deal more to this humble food than you might think. For one, there are many types of eggs from many types of chickens from which to choose.

Whether scouring the supermarket shelves or picking up a dozen eggs at your local farmers market, you might be confused by the different packaging labels and varieties of eggs available. Eggs can be labeled as organic, omega-3 enhanced, free-range, vegetarian, cage-free, humane, or pastured. These varieties of eggs are actually describing the conditions in which the hens live when producing the eggs, rather than anything that happens to the egg itself. In the interest of sourcing healthier product, it is important to be aware of where your eggs came from (i.e., how the chicken was raised) before you whisk them up into an omelet. See Not All Eggs Are Equal below for a more detailed explanation about labels.

If you have the space, permission, and the inclination, consider raising a few chickens to gather your eggs directly from the source. Note that some cities and states have restrictions on home chicken coops. Chickens are incredible birds with unique, quirky personalities that vary depending on the breed. You can have affectionate birds who follow you around like dogs or ones that have silky fur-like feathers and will actually play with your children. Each breed has different strengths and produces different types of eggs, even pretty sky-blue and green ones!

Surprisingly, many people raise chickens in their backyards through the use of mobile coops and enjoy fresh, healthy eggs every day. There is a great deal of information, guidance, and resources available for anyone wanting to try to raise chickens, and it is not as complicated or expensive as you might think. Learning about chickens and eggs will give you a greater appreciation for the fluffy scrambled eggs on your plate.

NOT ALL EGGS ARE EQUAL

The life of an egg before it arrives in your refrigerator can be just as essential as what transpires on the stove top. Unless you are raising your own chickens, it is important to understand the variety of eggs for sale and their differences. Use the Egg Feedback Chart to keep track of what eggs best suit your needs.

Store-Bought Conventional Eggs

These are the least expensive eggs most commonly purchased at the supermarket, usually sold in foam containers. Unless labeled otherwise, they come from hens often living in overcrowded cages and in buildings that might never let in the light of day. These hens are fed grains supplemented with vitamins and minerals, and the chickens are usually treated with a daily dose of antibiotics to prevent infection. Conventional eggs are considered a quality protein source as a healthy meat alternative and do contain vitamin A, potassium, and B vitamins such as folic acid, choline, and biotin. However, critics point to the presence of antibiotics as potentially problematic for our health and suggest that poor raising conditions can actually decrease the vitamin and mineral quality of the eggs.