Eggs

Eggs can be prepared in a few minutes to create a nourishing, stylish meal. They can be combined with salad, or with a variety of cooked fillings in omelettes, crepes, soufflés, or quiches. Eggs are also an essential ingredient in many other foods, such as casseroles, muffins, sauces, and desserts—and, of course, eggs are a very popular breakfast item.

What’s in an egg? Egg white or albumen makes up about two-thirds of the egg’s liquid weight and contains most of the egg’s protein. It also contains the “chalaza,” thicker strands of egg white that anchor the yolk or yellow portion of the egg in place in the center of the white. The yolk makes up about a third of the egg’s liquid weight, and it contains all the fat in the egg. The shell is nature’s clever natural packaging, and it’s the egg’s first line of defense against bacterial contamination.

Varieties

Grading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state governments provide inspection and grading. Grade AA and A eggs are defined as eggs that hold their shape well, with tall yolks and thick egg whites. The chalaza is prominent, another sign of freshness. Grade B eggs may have flattened yolks and the white tends to be thinner; typically these eggs are used by food manufacturers, bakers, and institutions.

Size

The size of the egg is a reflection of the age, weight, and breed of the hen, with mature hens producing larger eggs. Environmental factors that lower the weight of an egg include heat, stress, overcrowding, and poor nutrition. Specific egg sizes are classified according to weight, expressed in ounces per dozen. Most recipes for baked dishes, such as custards and cakes, are based on the use of “Large” eggs.

Battery eggs

This term refers to eggs laid by chickens that are permanently caged. Although they are not required to be labeled as such, eggs are from battery-raised hens unless labeling indicates otherwise.

Brown vs. white

The color of the egg’s shell is a reflection of the breed of hen. Breeds with white feathers and ear lobes, such as White Leghorns, lay white eggs. Those with red feathers or ear lobes lay brown eggs. White eggs are in high demand among most American buyers, but in certain parts of the country, particularly New England, brown shells are preferred. Breeds that lay brown eggs include the Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, and Plymouth Rock varieties.

Duck eggs

Duck eggs are larger than those laid by chickens, and have a higher fat content. The white tends to be more gelatinous, and the yolks are a brighter yellow. Physical characteristics of the yolk reflect both the duck’s diet and the egg’s freshness. In some cases the duck egg has a stronger flavor than a chicken’s egg. Scrambled or in omelets, duck eggs are well complemented by onions, peppers, mushrooms, or cheeses. Cooks accustomed to using duck eggs use them much like chicken eggs, taking into account their larger size. Some combine duck and chicken eggs to achieve the consistency they want in particular dishes. Professional bakers are said to prefer duck eggs because of their rich yolks and because the baked goods have better texture and hold their shape better. In Asian cuisine, duck eggs are sometimes pickled or preserved to make what are called “Thousand-Year-Old-Eggs.” Some people who are allergic to chicken eggs are able to tolerate duck eggs. Duck eggs are difficult to obtain and may be available only through specialty shops, Asian grocery stores, or by special order.

Fertile eggs

These eggs are laid by hens regularly exposed to a rooster.

Free-range eggs

Eggs labeled “free range” are laid by uncaged chickens that are permitted to exercise and move about. Under genuine free-range conditions, hens are raised outdoors or have daily access to the outside. Some egg farms are described as indoor-floor operations; in this type of environment, the hens are raised indoors, but have some freedom of movement.

Ostrich eggs

The ostrich egg is said to have been a favorite food of Queen Victoria. Each egg contains the equivalent of about two dozen chickens’ eggs. An ostrich egg weighs about 3 pounds (1,360g); it would take roughly 40 minutes to hard-boil an ostrich egg.

Quail eggs

Gourmets report that quail eggs are among the most delicious in the world. The eggs are small and fine (about 1/5 the weight of a chicken’s egg), with richly speckled shells that range in color from dark brown to blue or white. The nutritional content is comparable to that of chicken eggs, with flavor that is comparable or perhaps more delicate. Quail eggs are associated with gourmet cuisine. Some people who are allergic to chicken eggs find that they can tolerate quail eggs.

Buying and storing tips

The freshness of the eggs you buy reflects both how recently they were laid and the temperature at which they were stored. Ideally, eggs should be stored at 40°F (4°C) or below, and at a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent.

Safety

To avoid food poisoning from Salmonella bacteria, it is important that you buy only eggs that have been well refrigerated. Before purchasing, open the carton and make sure none of the eggs are cracked; if you discover cracked eggs at home, discard them, since bacteria may have contaminated the egg. To determine the freshness of eggs when shopping, test the weight—the heavier the egg, the fresher it is.

Check for air

Air builds up inside the egg as it ages; this pocket of air is the reason hard-boiled eggs are flattened at one end. If you hold a white egg up to the light, you will be able to see the air pocket (brown eggs are too dark for the air pocket to be visible). When eggs are graded, Grade AA eggs may not contain an air cell that exceeds 1/8-inch in depth. The air cell of Grade A eggs may be 3/16 or greater. Grade B eggs have no requirements regarding the air cell.

Egg white

Note the color of the egg white. The cloudy appearance of an egg white actually indicates freshness, due to its higher carbon dioxide content. As the egg ages, the carbon dioxide escapes and the egg white becomes more transparent.

Packing dates

When reviewing dates on the egg carton, note that those packed in plants that are inspected by the USDA display the date they were packed, written as a Julian date, numbering from 1 to 365 to reflect the day of the year (for example, December 29 would be 363). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that eggs can be used up to four weeks from the time they are packed without loss of nutritional quality. The cartons also often carry an expiration date beyond which the eggs should not be sold.

Storage hints

Store eggs in the original carton in the refrigerator. Do not wash the shells, and do not store eggs on the door of your refrigerator; this exposes them to room temperature every time the refrigerator door is opened.

Storing cooked eggs

Use hard-cooked eggs (in the shell or peeled) within one week after cooking. Cooked eggs, including hard-boiled eggs and egg-containing foods, should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate leftover cooked egg dishes immediately, and save for no more than three to four days. Large portions should be divided into several shallow containers so they will cool quickly.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Eggs are the centerpiece of a range of foods. Many egg dishes, such as omelets and frittatas, can be prepared quickly with many interesting fillings, such as peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini.

Basic egg dishes

Even the humble scrambled egg becomes a meal in itself when it’s served with spicy potatoes. Other types of egg dishes that require more planning and preparation time include baked (shirred) eggs, which become eggs Florentine when prepared with spinach (or zucchini). Baked soufflés are a classic egg dish—or bake miniature soufflés (served in ramekins, or individual serving dishes); season these with ingredients that can be varied endlessly. Or try timbales, for which the eggs are beaten rather than whipped like soufflés, and may then be mixed with a puréed vegetable, such as asparagus, before baking.

Omelettes

One of the most popular egg dishes is the omelette. Making an omelette is a process that mixes technique and personal artistry. Use a 9- or 10-inch (23- to 25-cm) sauté pan with rounded, sloping sides. Be sure the surface of the pan is smooth and slick so that the egg mixture does not stick to the pan. For a two- or three-egg omelette, break the eggs into a bowl, add about 1 tablespoon (15mL) of cold water, and salt to taste. Beat the eggs thoroughly with a fork. When the pan is hot enough to make a drop of water sizzle, add 1 tablespoon of butter to coat the surface. Pour the egg mixture into the pan, and give it one quick swirl with the fork. As it begins to set, gently lift the edges with a fork or spatula so the liquid on top can run underneath. The omelette should be thoroughly cooked on both sides (based on safety guidelines), so once it is done, turn it as you would a pancake and cook the other side briefly to ensure that all surfaces of the egg are cooked to the point where they are no longer moist.

Hard-cooked eggs

When preparing hard-cooked eggs, choose large eggs, place them in a pan, and cover with cold water. Simmer eggs at 185 to 190°F (85 to 87.7°C) for 7 minutes. Cool immediately in cold water. Peel when cool.

Frying eggs

Frying eggs by steam-basting cuts the amount of fat needed. Coat the pan lightly with oil or butter, heat it over a medium heat, and crack the egg into the pan. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute, then add 1 teaspoon (5mL) of water, cover the pan tightly, and cook for at least 6 more minutes.

Poached eggs

Cook poached eggs until the yolks are firm. Bring 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5 cm) of water to a simmer in a saucepan or small skillet, break an egg into a cup and, holding the cup just above the surface of the water, gently slide the egg into the pan. (You may wish to stir a little “whirlpool” into the simmering water before adding the egg, to help the egg keep its shape.) Cook until the white and yolk are both firm, which takes about 5 minutes. Lift the egg out with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels.

Scrambled eggs

To prepare scrambled eggs, break the eggs into a bowl, add a tablespoon of cold water, and whisk together so that the yoke and whites are blended. Coat the pan lightly with oil or butter, heat it over a medium heat, and pour the egg mixture into the pan. As the mixture begins to set, use a spatula to scrape the eggs from the edge of the pan to the center. Cook until the mixture is firm; scrambled eggs should not be runny.

Cooking temperature

No matter how you are preparing eggs, always cook them thoroughly, bringing the temperature to 160°F (71°C) or higher for at least 3 minutes.

Varieties

Buying and storing tips

Preparation, uses, and tips

Nutritional Highlights