Good eggs

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Posted at 10:49AM, 20 February 2009 by Jenni Muir - Food writer

When I was a kid (ooh, centuries ago) suppers based on eggs were a fairly regular occurrence. Curried eggs and rice was a particular favourite in our house, though that dish does seem hilariously retro now - not like black forest gateau and veal schnitzel, which you could say are fashionably retro. Breakfast was often boiled egg and soldiers, or poached eggs on toast.

Then suddenly the cholesterol content of eggs was deemed a problem. Breakfast turned into muesli and other cereals, and eggs rarely made an appearance beyond a lunchtime salad or sandwich. We were told we shouldn't eat more than three eggs a week.

Did you take that advice on board at all during the last 30 years? According to an NOP poll last year, 45 per cent of Brits did. And wouldn't you say that many of the people who didn't consciously avoid eggs still ate less of them, and stopped thinking of eggs as suitable supper food?

The confirmation that there really is no need to limit egg consumption couldn't come at a better time, could it? Even the large posh eggs down at our farmers' market are only £2 a half dozen - compare that with how much you can spend on meats, fish and cheese.

Even the large posh eggs down at our farmers' market are only £2 a half dozen - compare that with how much you can spend on meats, fish and cheese.

In celebration I might dig up that old curried eggs recipe for fun (I think it was based on white sauce) - see how it compares to this rather more glamorous, and probably simpler, South Indian version. Indian scrambled eggs are heavenly too - as are Mexican egg dishes. In fact pretty much anything with eggs and chilli gets my vote.

My Chinese friend Valerie often makes a dish of steamed eggs for dinner, seasoning them with a little soy sauce and chives from the window box and cooking the mixture in a Pyrex pie dish set in a steamer. Served over rice, it's her favourite comfort food, a fast, pared-down version of Japanese. chawanmushi. I like the Thai version with prawns.

And who could forget tortilla? Though to be perfectly honest I don't think my husband would be happy getting that, or one of Spain's simple scrambled egg dishes, for dinner too often. If I make an egg dish with hot spices in it he'll think he's having a curry - serving omelette and scrambled eggs will have him complaining that breakfast has arrived 12 hours early.

What about you? Are you going to be cooking more egg dishes or did you never think to restrict them?

Comments

Girl Flower

20 February 2009, 11:53AM
Girl Flower

It never entered my mind to restrict my egg quota at all. I didn't know we were supposed to! The amount of eggs I get through currently is far more than ever however as, like Jenni, I have realised they can be a very cheap and yummy dinner. In fact you have got me thinking.. I might go and make an egg curry myself... I love the stuff!

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James

20 February 2009, 12:48PM
James

Does anyone really listen to such advice? Everything that's ever pronounced can is based on evidence that can be taken two ways - depending on if it suits you - take drinking red wine as another example. Americans got around the cholesterol thing by just cooking (or ordering when they're out) egg white - as in scrambled white, egg white omlettes etc. Isn't the egg white asaparagus omlette the californian thing? Put an omlette on an english lunch menu and see them go, and watch the place fill up. Nothing's as popular. Poached on a Sunday morning though. And because of their simple flavour kids love them - which is also why eggs remain a comfort food when your older. Omlette with jam - now that's the thing.

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sioden

20 February 2009, 2:50PM
sioden

I was not alive 30 years ago when it was deemed that more tah 3 or 4 eggs a week was too much, yet I still believed that I should eat too many eggs. But at the same time, I eat eggs whenever I feel like. They are a fabulous filler at breakfast (especially good for a hangover), and rediculousy quick scrambled on toast for a wholesome filling supper. Bring back eggs in every form I say!!

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MissEricaCourt

20 February 2009, 5:46PM
MissEricaCourt

i love omelettes...especially nice if made with chilli flakes and really thin, then shredded and tossed into a leafy salad with soy sauce and/or sweet chilli sauce - a delicious and quick salad. my favourite eggs however, would have to be creme eggs :D

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James

21 February 2009, 12:59PM
James

If it's eggs benedict why not make the muffins too? This has to be the ultimate - http://www.thekneadforbread.com/2009/02/13/english-muffin-recipe/

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Babs

23 February 2009, 4:02PM
Babs

I love eggs, scrambled with chopped ham, boiled egg with solders, fried egg in a sandwich with tomato sauce or mushroom omelette with salad and new potatoes, pure simple, cheap fresh comfort food

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James

26 February 2009, 1:48PM
James

Chorizo with roasted (skin on) potato trimmings and scrambled egg - midnight feast.

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joanneheather

8 March 2009, 8:16PM
joanneheather

A lovely 2 egg omelette with some fresh herbs and cheese, served with a big spinach and rocket salad - yummy and a good low calorie supper!

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jogreen68

10 November 2010, 2:31PM
jogreen68

You cannot beat a really good omelette

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