What's Cooking Wednesday: egg-cellent ideas

Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and omega-3s. I think most people are familiar with the traditional preparations of eggs: scrambled, sunny side up, hard boiled, and of course the picnic classic, deviled eggs. But if you’re looking for a way to branch out and level up your egg game, here are a few ideas to try:

Dutch babies

If you are a person who likes breakfast or wants to linger over brunch, the Dutch baby is a must try. To prepare this fluffy egg pancake, you will blend eggs with a small amount of flour, sugar, milk, salt, and vanilla before pouring them into a warm cast iron skillet and baking the mixture. The result is fluffy, beautiful, and delicious. Variations may incorporate fresh fruit and other flavor boosters. Check out this recipe to give it a try yourself: https://www.budgetbytes.com/dutch-baby/

Quiche

Quiche looks like a food that might be difficult to prepare, but they are actually relatively easy to make. If you want to save a step, you can start with a prepared pie crust. I usually pre-bake my crust to keep it from getting soggy. Once that has baked, I add seasonal vegetables, cheese, and herbs to the crust. I pour over a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, and sometimes Greek yogurt (you can also use heavy cream). Bake again until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean, and viola! You have a delicious, protein-packed meal that you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There are dozens of variations on quiches, so this can be a fun and creative way to explore flavors! 

If you want to skip the crust altogether, you can pour your eggs and fillings into a greased cast iron skillet to bake, which will yield a frittata!

Egg Muffins

If you’re looking to prep breakfasts for the week to make your mornings just a little easier, consider making egg “muffins.” Some people will also call these egg bites or a baked omelet. Basically, you will mix up all your favorite omelet ingredients, pour the mixture into greased muffin tins, and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. These little egg bites are perfect for rushed mornings and eating on the go.