Tag Archives: Egg

September 11, 2012 · 11:00 am

recipe goodness :: heidi swanson’s harissa spinach chop salad

A few good ingredients

A few good ingredients

I know a few people who would rather leave the lettuce eating to the rabbits. But they like cooked greens — spinach, collards, amaranth greens will all be happily stabbed with a fork and consumed. I also know a few vegetarians who roll their eyes when people suggest all they eat are salads. So when I came across Heidi Swanson’s {a well-known vegetarian cookbook author} recipe for a warm spinach chop, with hard-boiled eggs, garlic, almonds and harissa, not only did my mouth begin to water, but I felt like I discovered a solution to a salad that’s not just another salad.

Everything on this ingredient list I usually have on hand, except the spinach — so it’s an easy last minute menu saver if you can get your hands on some fresh cooking greens. And with the spice of the harissa, the crunch of the almonds, the tartness of the lemon and the substance of the egg, you’ll find this chop combines complex flavors and doesn’t leave you feeling like a peckish rabbit.

Heidi Swanson's Spinach Chop

Heidi Swanson’s Spinach Chop

Heidi Swanson’s Spinach Chop

1 lb. spinach {or other good cooking green — kale, collards}
1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs. harissa
4 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup slivered or whole almonds, toasted
Scant 1/2 tsp. fine-grain sea salt
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon

  1. Remove any tough spinach stems. Add ½-inch water to a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add spinach and stir constantly until the spinach collapses entirely, about a minute. Drain spinach and run cold water over it until cool. Spin-dry very well in a salad spinner, or press-dry in a clean kitchen towel.
  3. Finely chop the spinach. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute, without letting it brown. Remove pan from heat and stir in harissa and spinach. Add eggs, almonds, salt, and lemon zest and stir again gently to combine well.
  4. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Stab-Worthy Salads:
Julia Child’s Salade Nicoise
Lime-Kissed Peach and Corn Summer Salad
Orzo, Spinach & Feta Summer Salad
Spinach, Strawberry & Halloumi Salad
Tomato, Basil & Feta Salad
The Ultimate Summer Slaw

1 Comment

Filed under @home {recipes to love}

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

June 14, 2012 · 10:00 am

recipe goodness :: egg on egg salad {introducing bottarga}

egg on egg salad sandwich

egg on egg salad sandwich

Ok this is a totally spectacular way to amp up an otherwise standard mid-week lunch. Egg salad: meet your new friend bottarga, also known as poor man’s caviar. Stop. Keep reading. This is not caviar. Bottarga is a delicacy beloved by those salty Italians, but has been finding its way more recently onto U.S. restaurant menus. Shaved over pasta, pizza and yes, even eggs, this salt-cured, sun-dried mullet roe is the perfect way to add the saltiness of the sea to a dish with very little effort. It comes pressed into a hard form that can be swiped along your microplane to finish a dish like a fine pecorino or can be slid along a mandolin for more decadent paper-thin slices that become a central addition to your plate. Lucky for us there is now an American-produced Cortez bottarga that you can get your hands on from Anna Maria Fish Company.

Egg on egg means business. With a little creamy mayo and peppery dijon to bind the this salad together, all I did was toss in a few radish leaves {no you should not throw those out when you buy radishes — they have amazing flavor!} and green scallions for color and a contrasting herby flavor. Then zested some salty bottarga over top to make this standard lunch truck sammie a true stand-out.

The goods

The egg on egg goods {bottarga lower left}

Egg on Egg Salad

Serves 1

2-3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and  roughly chopped
1/2 tablespoon mayo
1 teaspoon dijon
1/2 small scallion diced {or 2-3 chives}
4-5 radish leaves, washed and julienned
Pepper to taste
Bottarga for grating
Good crusty bread

  1. Roughly chop your eggs. I often remove one of the yolks to cut back on the dry bits.
  2. Toss everything, except the bottarga in a bowl, reserving some scallions for topping later.
  3. Add more of anything you desire, then serve in a bowl or on top of a toasted piece of bread.
  4. Sprinkle with some scallions for giggles and then grate your bottarga across the top, adding as much or as little as your salty italian desires.
  5. Sit down and be amazed by your revamped american favorite.

Other Ways to Jazz Standards:
Blueberry, Lemon & Coconut Pancakes
Herbed Buttermilk Biscuits
Cumin & Dill Dijon Egg Salad with Radish Sprouts
Creole Roasted Fresh Corn-Tomato Salsa

1 Comment

Filed under @home {recipes to love}

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

June 2, 2012 · 11:00 am

recipe goodness :: mastering julia child’s rolled french omelet #jc100

Julia Child's Rolled Omelet

Julia Child’s Rolled Omelet

“A good french omelet is a smooth gently swelling, golden oval that is tender and creamy inside” — Julia Child 

Julia Child has a very particular way to make an omelet. Through perfected pan tilt technique she promises a light fluffy interior with a beautifully browned exterior, all rolled up into a marvelous breakfast package. I didn’t have her leaning over my shoulder to tell me if I mastered her method correctly, but in the end it tasted and looked good, so that’s all that matters.

 

Julia Child's French Omelet

Julia Child’s French Omelet

Julia Child’s Rolled French Omelet

7″ non-stick pan
2-3 eggs per omelet
Big pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
1 tablespoon butter
Garnish or filling, as desired

  1.  Proper way to beat eggs: Just before melting the butter in a pan, break the eggs into a mixing bowl and add the salt and pepper. With a table fork, beat the eggs only enough to blend the whites and yolks thoroughly, about 30 sec.
  2. Place the butter in the pan and set over very high heat. As the butter melts tilt the pan in all directions to film the sides. When it starts to foam and is at the point of coloring {indicating the pan is the right temperature}, pour in the eggs.
  3. Let the eggs settle in the pan 2-3 seconds to form a film of coagulated egg in the bottom of the pan.
  4. Grasp the pan handle with both hands and immediately begin jerking vigorously back and forth at a 20 degree angle over the heat.
  5. It is the sharp pull of the pan that throws the eggs over the far lip of the pan then back over the bottom surface of the omelet. After several jerks the omelet will start to thicken.
  6. A filling should go in at this point if desired.
  7. Then increase the angle of the pan to 45 degrees, which will force the egg mass to roll over itself with each jerk of the pan.
  8. As soon as the omelet has shaped up, hold it in the angle of the pan for 2-3 seconds to brown up, but no longer. The center of the omelet should remain soft and creamy.
  9. Turn the omelet onto a plate with the pan slightly off center so it rolls into the middle of your plate.
  10. Garnish with maldon salt, a pat of butter {if you want to stay true to Julia} and some fresh herbs.

Mastering the Art of Julia Child
recipe goodness :: mastering the art of julia child’s chocolate mousse
Do This!: Celebrate Julia Child’s 100th Birthday

1 Comment

Filed under Detroit Best

Tagged as , , , , , ,

April 2, 2012 · 9:00 am

recipe goodness :: clean-the-cupboard poached egg over red rice with cilantro and black truffle oil

Poached Egg Over Bhutanese Red Rice

Poached Egg Over Bhutanese Red Rice with Cilantro and Truffle Oil

I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to use things in my cupboards before I stock up on more boil-water-to-cook items. I seem to have a smattering of 1/4-full bags of every size and variety of grain that are just taking up space. Not enough for a dinner party, but certainly enough for a mid-week meal. Here’s the thing, if you have one fresh herb on hand at all times and a pantry with a few key spices or oils, you can pretty much create a spectacular meal out of next to nothing and in relatively little time. The equation for success: a flavorful grain, a fresh herb, 1-2 pantry seasonings {maldon sea salt and truffle oil in this one, but this is where experimenting gets fun} and maybe top it all off with a creamy protein-rich poached egg ?

Clean-the-Cupboards Poached Egg Over Red Rice
with Cilantro and Truffle Oil

1 cup Bhutanese Red Rice {or farro, quinoa, freekeh, rice, couscous…}
1 1/2 cups of water {or whatever your chosen grain package calls for}
1 farm-fresh egg
1 tablespoon vinegar {any kind}
Maldon salt and pepper to taste
Truffle Oil for drizzling
Small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped {or any other herb you love}

  1.  Combine 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 cup red rice and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, bring another small pot of water to a boil for the poached egg. Crack your egg into a small bowl and set aside.
  3. Once rice is done, remove from heat, fluff and serve in a bowl.
  4. When water for the egg is boiling add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water and gently slide the egg into the water, stirring in a circle to help the white come together. Let the egg cook 1-2 minutes until the white is firm, but center is tender. Using a slotted spoon, remove from the boiling water and place on top of your rice.
  5. Drizzle entire dish with truffle oil, sprinkle with maldon salt and pepper and top with some roughly chopped cilantro. Thank me later.

More Easy Mid-Week Meals:
Barcelona Balsamic Chick Pea Salad
Grilled Thyme-Cumin Vegetable Kabobs
Roasted Cauliflower with Gremolata Breadcrumbs
Savory Cauliflower Fried Rice
Spicy Tomato-Meyer Lemon Stewed Chick Peas
Farro Salad with Steamed Kale and Roasted Pinenuts

Leave a comment

Filed under @home {recipes to love}

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

May 6, 2011 · 9:00 am

recipe goodness :: how to cook the perfect poached egg with melted ramp butter

Perfect Poached Egg with Melted Ramp Butter

They don’t call them Spring chickens for nothin’. The grass is newly growing and our little pecking friends are spreading their wings, enjoying the fresh Spring forage. This is the season when truly free range eggs can especially be savored. And seeing as how they are my favorite food, I thought I would dress them up with another Spring favorite — ramps {looks like a spring onion, smells like garlic — a match made in heaven!} After poaching the eggs, one little dollop of the intensely flavorful ramp butter will make a dish so good, it  should be illegal. So swing by your local greenmarket, pick up the goods and make yourself {or your mother} a spectacular Spring brunch. More Mother’s Day Breakfast Inspir-egg-tion below!

Poached Egg with Melted Ramp Butter
Serves 2 

2 free range farm-fresh eggs
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon ramp butter {recipe below}
Salt and pepper to taste

Ramp Butter
Makes 1 lb

1lb unsalted butter
3.6 ounces ramps
zest of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon Maldon salt

  1. Blend ramp butter ingredients together in a food processor and add to an air-tight container to keep in the fridge.
  2. Bring a small sauce pot of water to a boil.
  3. Add vinegar.
  4. Crack your eggs into separate small bowls.
  5. Turn the boiling water down to a low simmer. Swirl the water into a whirlpool and pour the egg into the pot, one at a time, but close in timing.
  6. Cook for 3-4 minutes until white is firm and then remove with a slotted spoon into a serving bowl.
  7. Add 1/2 tablespoon of ramp butter to the top of each warm egg, allowing it to melt and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

2 Comments

Filed under @home {recipes to love}

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 3, 2011 · 10:23 am

recipe goodness :: inside-out scotch eggs w/ ground lamb, harissa yolk & panko gremolata

Inside-out Scotch Egg

What is an inside-out scotch egg you ask? If you want to be a traditionalist, the scotch egg usually involves enrobing a hard boiled egg with ground meat, breading it and deep frying that sucker. As I prepared for 8.ate@eight’s Robert Burn’s night with the Tippling Bros., I knew I didn’t want to be deep frying, nor serving something that ends up being the size of your fist, so I took inspiration from these flavors, flipped them inside out and created an appetizer that is creamy, spicy and somewhat devilish — the perfect drinking companion. Serve this at your Superbowl party and you will be legendary!

Inside Out Scotch Egg With Ground Lamb, Harissa Yolk & Panko Gremolata
Makes 12 | Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

6 Eggs, two-weeks old

Lamb:
¼ lb ground lamb
1 teaspoon harissa paste
salt

Harissa Yolk:
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chives, chopped very fine
1 teaspoon harissa paste {add more for spicier kick}
1/8 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Panko Gremolata:
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped

For the eggs and lamb:

  1. Use two-week old eggs to allow hard boiled egg to separate from the shell more easily. The night before you plan to make, rest each egg horizontally in the carton with the lid open. This will help center the yolk for better presentation.
  2. Bring eggs to room temperature for 30 minutes {still resting on their sides}.
  3. Add eggs to a large pot and fill with water, covering the eggs by at least an inch. Salt the water and bring to a boil.
  4. When water is boiling, remove from heat and cover with a lid for 30 minutes.
  5. While eggs rest, sauté ground lamb, harissa paste and salt until no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess oil.
  6. After 30 minutes, cool eggs in ice bath immediately and rest for 20 minutes.
  7. While eggs cool, make gremolata.
  8. Once cooled, roll each egg along the counter to crack shells and place back in cold water for 5 minutes to allow for easy separation between egg and shell.
  9. Remove the shell, cutting each egg in half and remove the yolk into a separate bowl.
  10. Mash the egg yolk till powdery and then add remaining ingredients. Taste mixture and add additional harissa if you prefer spicier flavor.
  11. When ready to assemble, use a small spoon to scoop lamb into the cavity of each egg half.
  12. Using a pastry bag and tip with a large opening, pipe the egg mixture on top of the lamb in each cavity.
  13. Right before serving, sprinkle the gremolata on top of the yolk and enjoy!

For the Gremolata:

  1. In a small sauté pan heat olive oil on medium heat and add panko breadcrumbs. Continue stirring until panko breadcrumbs are light brown in color.
  2. Add minced garlic and lemon zest and stir to release the flavors, about 2 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and add to chopped parsley.
  4. Set aside until ready to serve {may get soggy if added to eggs to early}

You Might Also Like These:
How To Cook The Perfect Sunny Side-Up Egg
How to Cook the Perfect 8.5 Minute Egg
Mini Wild Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie w/ Scotch! {bottom of post}

3 Comments

Filed under 8.ate@eight, @home {recipes to love}

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,