Baked (Shirred) Eggs p. 798

I've seen several baked egg recipes circulating cooking blogs lately. It was a totally new concept to me. Baked eggs. Eggs are usually scrambled or fried ... but baked?

Baked eggs are incredibly easy and perfect for weekday breakfast or a leisurely weekend breakfast. There are also many ways you can vary them.

Mark Bittman gives a 30 minute prep and cook time in the book, but it shouldn't take you longer than 16 minutes, 15 of those are cooking.

Start off with a ramkin or small baking dish. Butter it or rub olive oil all over. Then break an egg in there and bake for 10-15 minutes.

He also suggests adding a bit of cream to the bottom of the bowl if you wish. When its done add a little salt and pepper to taste.

There are tons of ways to spice it up or vary it:
- You can add cooked or uncooked meats or vegetables. I've used proscuitto. But I'd love to try some asparagus with baked eggs.
- Add cheese!
- Fresh herbs
- Your favorite spices.



For this particular baked egg dish I add proscuitto to the bottom, cream, and a little parmigano on top. With both the proscuitto, cheese, and salt it was way way too salty, but still delicious.

Everyday Scrambled Eggs p. 792

Scrambled eggs was the first thing I ever learned cook. Growing up, when my dad was out of town and my mom didn’t feel like making dinner, we would have breakfast for dinner, which always involved scrambled eggs. I’m not really a breakfast eater, but every once in a while I have a hankering for a real breakfast, and I always make scrambled eggs. The other morning was one of those mornings. Instead of just making them way I normally do, I decided to consult How to Cook Everything first.

Initially I didn’t think it was very different, only the addition of cream or milk and adding butter before adding the eggs. Mr. Bittman also suggested using a rubber spatula to scrape the sides where the egg seems to dry out. Normally I use a wooden spoon and the idea of using a rubber spatula was novel, yet made so much sense.





After making the eggs I was so angry. I thought I could cook scrambled eggs… but I was proven wrong. These eggs were lighter and creamer than before and the pan was so easy to clean. Next time I’m going to throw in some cheese with it, which I know will make them unbelievable.

Fried Eggs, p.791

I was feeling a bit hungry the other morning and instead of our standard toast or scrambled eggs, I decided it was time to turn to How to Cook Everything to try my first recipe from the Eggs, Breakfast, Diary chapter.

We happen to have a bunch of eggs on hand, so I turned to the fried egg recipe. Its easy and great for those people who don't fully function til after they've consumed a full cup or two of coffee, like me.

First, heat your skillet, spread a little butter or oil on the skillet. Crack eggs in pan.


Turn down heat to low and cook til done.


The recipe says they are done when you poke it close to the yolk and it stays firm. However, one egg fell apart due to my poor spatula skills.