Eggs are one of the most complete, naturally produced foods
containing many essential nutrients for a balanced diet for
adults and children alike. Eggs are an excellent source of
protein - one of the cheapest available - and are rich in
vitamins A, D, E, B12 and niacin - and minerals - calcium, zinc
and iron.Moreover they have low calories and fat. An essential
food, which can adapt itself to all different cooking forms, and
can also be eaten raw, the egg is supposed to be the ideal food
in a small way, for the world which comprises of children,
invalids and old people.
In the West, when people speak about
eggs without speaking precisely of the bird which lay it, we
mean poultry and chicken eggs. Nearly every sort of advantage is
offered by the egg, especially as it can be cooked quickly or it
can be presented upon the table as a side dish or garnish. To
make sure that you get all the nutrition from an egg and that it
is digested easily, the egg has to be completely fresh. If it is
not fresh, it can be dangerous and lead to indigestion as well
as more serious problems. The growth of salmonella in spoilt
eggs is a known fact.
How to recognize if the egg is fresh. The egg should be plunged
into a bowl of salt water. If it floats, use it without
hesitation. If it hits bottom, be very careful, if it floats in
the middle, reject it without a second thought.
Different ways of cooking an egg.
Boiled eggs
There are many ways of boiling eggs. Put them in
boiling water, cover them and allow them to boil for three
minutes. But there is the chance that the egg might crack. So I
would suggest if you have to use boiling water, put a little bit
of salt or vinegar in the water and then put the egg in. If the
egg is already cracked and you are sure that it is going to
crack further when you put it in the water, spread some oil or
vinegar upon the crack, to save the dam when the pressure and
the temperature changes. The other ways to boil an egg is to put
it in cold water and then allow the water and the egg to boil
slowly . The best way is to boil some water, take it off the
heat and place the egg in it. Nine minutes will give you a
perfectly hardboiled egg.
Poached Eggs
Eggs, Water, Salt & pepper powder to taste
Preparation: * In saucepan or deep omelet pan, bring 2 to 3
inches of water to boiling. Reduce heat to keep water gently
simmering. * Break cold eggs, 1 at a time, into custard cup or
saucer or break several into bowl. Holding dish close to water's
surface, slip eggs, 1 by 1, into water. * Cook until whites are
completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard,
about 3 to 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, lift out eggs. Drain
in spoon or on paper towels and trim any rough edges, if
desired. * Serve poached eggs hot sprinkled with salt & pepper
powder to taste.
Stuffed Eggs
4 eggs (hard boiled) 1 tbsp ghee / oil 1 tbsp chopped onions, 3
tbsp cooked ground / minced meat, salt to taste, 1 green chili
(chopped), 1/2 tsp ginger (grated), 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp
corn flour / corn starch, 1 egg (beaten), 1 tbsp coriander leaves
(chopped),1 lemon juice, breadcrumbs for coating 12 pieces of
liver (fried) for garnishing, Oil for deep-frying
Preparation: * Heat the oil / ghee in a frying pan and fry the
onions till golden. * Add the meat, salt, chili, coriander,
ginger, tomato paste and lemon juice and fry for about 5
minutes. * Peel the shell and cut the hard boiled eggs into half
lengthways. * Take out the yolks and add to the frying mixture.
* Cook for another 5 minutes and remove from the heat and allow
to cool. * Stir the corn flour into the beaten egg, making a
batter. * Place the breadcrumbs on a flat dish. * Fill the meat
mixture into the yolk cavity ( hole from where yolk is
separated) of each egg half, cover with another half to make
complete egg shapes. * Dip the stuffed egg into the egg and corn
flour batter and roll over the breadcrumbs. * Heat oil in a
kadhai / deep-frying pan over a moderate heat and fry the
stuffed eggs until golden all over. * Remove and drain on a
paper towel. * Serve garnished with fried liver, coriander
leaves and with chutney or sauce.
Egg Pakora
4 Eggs (hard boiled), 3 tbsp Gram flour (Besan), salt to taste, Red
Chili powder to taste, little black pepper powder, Oil to fry
Preparation: * Peel and cut boiled egg into two halves. *
Sprinkle little salt and pepper on eggs. * In a bowl take gram
flour salt, chili powder and make a thick batter using water. *
Heat oil in a kadhai. * Dip each egg piece in the batter and
deep fry till golden brown on medium flame. * Serve egg pakora
hot.
