May is National Egg Month. In the spirit of National Egg Month, arecetafor.com would like to answer some frequently asked questions about eggs, provide a nutritional analysis of eggs, and offer some interesting facts about eggs. Finally, we have included a delicious recipe for baked eggs.
Nutrition:
A medium egg has 78 calories. Eggs are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and low in saturated fat. Eggs are a valuable component of a healthy diet. The protein in eggs is known as “complete” protein because it contains all the essential amino acids needed by the human body. Eggs contain most of the recognized vitamins except vitamin C. They are a good source of all the B vitamins and also contain significant amounts of vitamin D and vitamin E. Eggs are also an excellent source of zinc, selenium, calcium, and iron. Eggs also contain lecithin which helps in the transport of lipids within the blood and the metabolism of cholesterol.
Frequently asked questions about eggs:
o Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
The risk of food poisoning from eggs is higher with raw and undercooked dishes. It is best not to serve raw or undercooked dishes made with eggs.
o What are the stringy white pieces in egg whites?
These rope-like strings of egg white, called chalazae (ka-lay-zee) are not blemishes or budding embryos, but a natural, edible part of the egg. They keep the yolk centered in the thick white.
o How long will the eggs keep?
Fresh shell eggs can be kept refrigerated in their carton for at least 4-5 weeks after the pack date. Quality loss should be negligible if eggs are refrigerated as soon as possible after purchase in a refrigerated case. Hard-boiled eggs should be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week.
o Is there a difference between brown and white shelled eggs?
No. Shell color is determined by the breed of hen and is not related to quality, nutrients, flavor, or cooking characteristics.
Egg curiosities:
o Eggshells are made of limestone. The same ingredient in stalactites, clam shells and corals.
o Egg tempera is an artistic medium. To make egg tempera, the paint is made by mixing pigment, water, and egg yolk.
o The egg is used in the sport of egg balancing. This is a game where people run while carrying eggs on spoons. The first to cross the finish line without breaking the egg wins.
o Eggs are also used in the sport of egg speckling. This is a game where eggs are rolled against each other down a hill. The person with the unbroken egg at the end wins. Egg speckling originated in Europe and is practiced at the White House every Easter. However, this is not the only answer!
o Eggs have long been recognized as symbols of continued life. The ancient Greeks, Persians, and Chinese gave away eggs at spring festivals. In mythology, the Sun-bird hatched from the egg of the world. In mythology, two halves of an egg were believed to make up Heaven and Earth.
o In America, we have the Easter bunny. But, in other countries, different animals deliver the eggs at Easter. The Germans believe that roosters and foxes also deliver Easter eggs.
prescription:
Baked Smoked Gouda Sausage and Egg with Spinach Cream Sauce
INGREDIENTS
8 large eggs
or ¼ cup of flour
or 1 cup cooked, chopped sausage
or salt and pepper to taste
or 1 cup half and half
or 1 cup cottage cheese
or 1 cup grated smoked Gouda cheese
Spinach Cream Sauce:
or ¼ cup butter
or ¼ cup of flour
or 1 cup and ½ half and half
or 1 ½ to 2 cups spinach, blanched and chopped
or 2 to 3 drops of Tabasco pepper and Worcestershire sauce
or grated cheese (optional)
Butter 8 individual ramekins or two 9-inch pie pans. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, flour, gouda, half and half, cottage cheese along with the salt and pepper. Place equal amounts of chopped sausage in each ramekin or mold. Fill the containers with the egg and cheese mass. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add flour to make a roux. Cook and stir for one minute. Add half and half. Add the spinach. Season with sauces and cheese.
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