Have you noticed that eggs are back in fashion and are considered the perfect protein, high in all the omega numbers and good for you? The belief that eggs equal cholesterol is now discredited and considered to be another food myth. Knowing the source of your perfect protein is important though. Choose eggs from suppliers that give their hens a good time, with the run of a grassy paddock, and a varied diet of organic feed. It’s worth spending an extra dollar or two on these parcels of total goodness.
Well, I guess you’d say, What can make me feel this way?
My girls (my girls, my girls), Talkin’ ’bout my girls….
Eggs make the perfect lunch or quick dinner and are very satisfying, especially for those folk who follow a vegetarian diet. Lunch time egg specials include hardboiled eggs sprinkled with Dukkah, or rosemary salt, or draped in a parsley pesto, or chopped through a salad of endive leaves then tossed in a garlicky mustard dressing. I love them cracked onto a bed of peperonata in a little rustic terracotta dish, then baked in the oven till set. Hard boiled eggs make for a simple tomato based Indian curry, served with rice. The Chinese chefs in Yunnan province stir fry them with tomatoes then add some soya sauce, while the French poach them perfectly and place them on top of a butterhead lettuce salad, with croutons and a good dressing. Two eggs tossed with a generous handful or two of finely chopped parsley and a grating of good pecorino or parmigiano makes a fast little lunchtime frittata. Made them paper-thin, then roll them up and serve in slices for a Spring starter.
Making dukkah once a monthย is a cheap way to add oomph to a lunchtime egg.
- ยผย cup of whole almonds (or hazelnuts or macadamia)
- 2 Tablespoons coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- ยฝย teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1ยฝteaspoons peppercorns
- ยฝย teaspoon dried mint
- ยฝย teaspoon fine salt
Serve with extra flaked salt and EV olive oil at the table.
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the nuts and toast until browned and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl. Repeat with the other seeds and peppercorns, toasting each separately and allowing them to cool completely. Put the peppercorns in a mortar and pestle and pound until crushed. Add the nuts and seeds, along with the mint and salt and crush to a course consistency. ( I used ย almonds and a coffee grinder for the nuts, then ground the toasted seeds, as they cooked, one at a time in the mortar).
Peel the eggs. Sprinkle with Dukkah, drizzle with oil, and add a tiny bit of flaked salt such as Maldon salt to taste.
Dukkah will keep in a well sealed jar in a cool place for up to one month. Cool!
The following method produces the most edible boiled eggs. A bit of care makes all the difference.
- Put the eggs in a saucepan of cold water eggs, covering them byย 2.5 cm/1 inch.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.ย Set the pan over high heat and bring the water to a boil, uncovered.
- Turn off the heat and cover the pan. As soon as the water comes to a boil, remove the pan from heat and cover the pan.
- Set your timer for the desired time.ย Leave the eggs in the covered pan for the right amount of time. This depends on whether you want soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs.ย For slightly runny soft-boiled eggs: 4 minutes. For custardy yet firm soft-boiled eggs,ย 6 minutes.ย For firm yet still creamy hard-boiled eggs,ย 10 minutes.
- Eat them hot or submerge the eggs in a few changes of cold water for a minute or two before cracking and peeling. They last for 1 week in the fridge, unshelled.
Recipe for dukkah from Super Natural Every Day,ย Heidi Swanson. Ten Speed Press.
How to cook the perfect hard boiled egg adapted from a guide here.
ALMOST ITALIAN 
There is nothing quite so fab as backyard eggs, is there? Instant lunch and perfect in a sourdough sandwich. Love it! ๐
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hmmm yes indeed. I cannot think of anything better.
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What a great idea, Dukkah and eggs! I love Dukkah and have been known to sprinkle it on salmon or salad, but I’ve never thought of eggs. This idea will get great use in our house, thank you!
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it makes for a nice breakfast, and no need for toast or any other intrusions.
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Beautiful in every aspect. That is a gorgeous board too! If ever you have any leftover Dukkah it goes very nicely in a sourdough loaf. I could eat boiled eggs forever and never get sick of them. ๐
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The board came from the market in Denpasar Bali. What a great idea, chuck the spare dukkah in the sourdough- your a genius Miss Maree.
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Blushing>>>
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Blushing…
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Excellent! I love eggs and the addition of dukkah sounds great.
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Home made version costs a few cents, as all those seeds are usually in my pantry.
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There is no comparison between a backyard egg and the store bought ones. I love your dukkah and will make it as soon as I get home.
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Home made dukkah is such an easy treat to make- and to think of the cost of the bought version!
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Simple but good Francesca.
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i’m in a simple state of mind – Spring eating – and cupboard clearance.
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Great suggestions. I love eggs. I’m in Italy right now where I can get them “da bere” as they say. I’m not one to eat them raw, but I so enjoy the fresh eggs hand fed by the fruttivendolo’s wife, and so my favorite way to eat them is sunny-side up with a couple of nicely buttered pieces of local, whole wheat bread. But when I return to the US, I’m going to put some of your ideas into practice with unfortunately store-bought, my only option.
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So good that you can get local, real eggs from la moglie del fruttivendolo. When you get back to the States, you might find the good eggs at a Farmers Market or equivalent? No, I’m with you, I can’t eat them raw- hahah ‘da bere’ so to speak!
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No, my opportunity is when I’m away from home. As you might imagine, Las Vegas isn’t known for farming…
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I can well imagine Karen.
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I love eggs any which way and often eat them with dukkah so can vouch the deliciousness of the two together. I pay big bucks for eggs and chicken, free range organic should be the only way if backyard chooks are not an option
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The laws have now been altered in Victoria but still, the free range claims of some in the egg industry are ludicrous. Free range often means outside, on a denuded paddock, with thousands of others. The density issue is one to monitor.
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True so it’s important to be sure about “brands.” Most available at big supermarkets fall short of ethical behaviour.
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This would be great with scrambled eggs. I was given a lovely big jar of dukkah and it’s so addictive! ๐
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I love your farm eggs Francesca. I buy them off mum and they are yum. My favourite way to eat them is poached on toast or fried over-and-easy with some bacon and tomato. Another more unusual way I love is frying 2 beaten eggs mixed with sesame oil (1 teaspoon), 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and 1-2 tablespoons of chives cut up small (no cheese as this is a Korean omelette). Takes only about 1 minute in a wok over high heat. You flip the omelette over half way through, then serve. Cut in half for a second person after cooking or if not enough for 2 people, use 3 eggs instead of 2. This makes a great breakfast.
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That sounds very tasty. Must keep it in mind. Just yell out if you want more eggs- I bring them each week to Mums. As I need regular customers now, I could include a doz for you each week?
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Yes that would be really good. I see mum about twice a week and can pay her for the eggs when I see her. Much prefer the farm eggs to the supermarket. Thanks Francesca ๐
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I love eggs! Especially from my free range chooks 24/7. Eggs and dukkah ..fab ๐
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