During the spring (vernal) equinox (about March 21), it is said that an egg will stand on its small end.

Although some people have reported success, it is not known whether such results were due to the equinox or to the peculiarities of that particular egg.

If an egg is accidentally dropped on the floor, sprinkle it heavily with salt for easy clean up.

Frying eggs

Over Easy
Fry eggs as indicated above, except turn eggs over quickly when whites are set.  Cook 3to 4 minutes.

Poached Eggs Photos courtsey The American Egg Board Heat a thin layer of butter, bacon fat or spray heavy skillet with a cooking spray.  Fill greased skillet with enough hot water to cover eggs by 1 inch.  Add salt (1 tsp per quart).  Bring to a boil; then reduce to simmering.  Break each egg into a cup or bowl and pour gently one at a time into the water.  Cover pan, cook below simmering 3 to 5 minutes. Old fashioned poached eggs, try using milk in place of water.

Microwave:  Omit butter.  Break and slip eggs into lightly greased or sprayed pie plate.  Gently prick yolks with tip of knife or wooden pick.  Cover with plastic wrap.  Cook on 50% power just until eggs are almost done, about 2 to 3 minutes.  Let stand, covered, until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

 

Photos courtsey The American Egg Board

Scrambled eggs Place in bowl with egg 1 tbsp. Milk or cream for each egg, a dash of salt, and pepper.  Beat with a fork.  For a marbled look, do not blend completely. Heat a thin layer of butter, bacon fat or spray heavy skillet with a cooking spray, in a medium high skillet.  Pour in egg mixture and reduce heat to low.  (Eggs should be scrambled slowly and gently.) When eggs start to set at bottom and sides, lift the cooked portions of the egg with a spatula, and turn gently so all egg gets cooked evenly. As soon as eggs are cooked through, but are still moist and glossy (5 to 8 minutes) or until you smell the cooked eggs, quickly remove from skillet and serve. I like to add chopped spinach leaves, chopped green onions, and grated cheddar cheese just before done cooking.

What's an egg all about?

What came first the Brown or white egg?

The difference between eggs that are brown or white, is only the difference of breed of hen that laid it.  White Leghorns  have white feathers and ear lobes and they lay white eggs. Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire and Plymouth Rock hens all have red feathers or ear lobes and lay brown eggs.  So what is the difference?  Preference.  Most Americans prefer white eggs it depends on what you were raised on.  You will find that brown eggs are more popular in the new England area.

Do happy chickens get around?
Free-range eggs

Chickens that aren’t caged up and have the freedom to move around and get exercise are called “Free range”.  Hens that  have access to outdoors on a daily basis, are genuine “free range”.  Others are indoor chickens that are caged and able to move around are called indoor-floor operations.  Does this make a difference in the eggs?  I suppose if you aren’t caged up all the time then you might be a happier chicken and have less stress, which some might consider a better egg source.

What do the whites tell me?

Note the color of the egg white. Egg white can also tell you the freshness of an egg.  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.

Safety

When buying eggs, open the carton to be sure none of the eggs are cracked; discard any that are, they may have bacteria that might contaminate the egg.

Buying and storing tips

Eggs should be stored at 40 degrees (4 Celsius) or below.  A relative humidity of 70 to 80%.  Egg freshness is determined both by how recently the egg was laid and the storage temperature.  To test for freshness of an egg, test the weight – the heavier the egg the fresher it is.

Be sure to store you eggs in the original egg carton in the refrigerator.  Don’t take them out and put them in the door.  Every time the refrigerator door is opened it exposes the egg to the room temperature.

Storing cooked eggs

Hard boiled eggs should be used within a week of cooking.  Don’t let foods containing eggs sit a room temperature for more then two hours.  It is best to refrigerate egg dishes immediately to avoid contamination.  Egg dishes should be used within 3 to 4 days.