Eggs are one of the most complete, naturally produced foods containing many essential nutrients for a balanced diet for adults and children alike. Eggs are an excellent source of protein - one of the cheapest available - and are rich in vitamins A, D, E, B12 and niacin - and minerals - calcium, zinc and iron.Moreover they have low calories and fat.



An essential food, which can adapt itself to all different cooking forms, and can also be eaten raw, the egg is supposed to be the ideal food in a small way, for the world which comprises of children, invalids and old people.

In the West, when people speak about eggs without speaking precisely of the bird which lay it, we mean poultry and chicken eggs. Nearly every sort of advantage is offered by the egg, especially as it can be cooked quickly or it can be presented upon the table as a side dish or garnish.

To make sure that you get all the nutrition from an egg and that it is digested easily, the egg has to be completely fresh. If it is not fresh, it can be dangerous and lead to indigestion as well as more serious problems. The growth of salmonella in spoilt eggs is a known fact.

How to recognize if the egg is fresh.

The egg should be plunged into a bowl of salt water.

If it floats, use it without hesitation. If it hits bottom, be very careful, if it floats in the middle, reject it without a second thought.

Different ways of cooking an egg.

Boiled eggs

There are many ways of boiling eggs.

Put them in boiling water, cover them and allow them to boil for three minutes. But there is the chance that the egg might crack. So I would suggest if you have to use boiling water, put a little bit of salt or vinegar in the water and then put the egg in. If the egg is already cracked and you are sure that it is going to crack further when you put it in the water, spread some oil or vinegar upon the crack, to save the dam when the pressure and the temperature changes.

The other ways to boil an egg is to put it in cold water and then allow the water and the egg to boil slowly .

The best way is to boil some water, take it off the heat and place the egg in it. Nine minutes will give you a perfectly hardboiled egg.

Ingredients:

Poached eggs

Eggs

Water

Salt & pepper powder to taste

Preparation:

?In saucepan or deep omelet pan, bring 2 to 3 inches of water to boiling. Reduce heat to keep water gently simmering.

?Break cold eggs, 1 at a time, into custard cup or saucer or break several into bowl. Holding dish close to water's surface, slip eggs, 1 by 1, into water.

?Cook until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, about 3 to 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, lift out eggs. Drain in spoon or on paper towels and trim any rough edges, if desired.

?Serve poached eggs hot sprinkled with salt & pepper powder to taste.

Stuffed eggs

Ingredients:

4 eggs (hard boiled)

1 tbsp ghee / oil

1 tbsp chopped onions

3 tbsp cooked ground / minced meat

Salt To Taste

1 green chili (chopped)

1/2 tsp ginger (grated)

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp corn flour / corn starch

1 egg (beaten)

1 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)

1 lemon juice

breadcrumbs for coating

12 pieces of liver (fried) for garnishing

Oil for deep-frying

Preparation:

?Heat the oil / ghee in a frying pan and fry the onions till golden.

?Add the meat, salt, chili, coriander, ginger, tomato paste and lemon juice and fry for about 5 minutes.

?Peel the shell and cut the hard boiled eggs into half lengthways.

?Take out the yolks and add to the frying mixture.

?Cook for another 5 minutes and remove from the heat and allow to cool.

?Stir the corn flour into the beaten egg, making a batter.

?Place the breadcrumbs on a flat dish.

?Fill the meat mixture into the yolk cavity ( hole from where yolk is separated) of each egg half, cover with another half to make complete egg shapes.

?Dip the stuffed egg into the egg and corn flour batter and roll over the breadcrumbs.

?Heat oil in a kadhai / deep-frying pan over a moderate heat and fry the stuffed eggs until golden all over.

?Remove and drain on a paper towel.

?Serve garnished with fried liver, coriander leaves and with chutney or sauce.

Egg Pakora

Ingredients:

4 Eggs (hard boiled)

3 tbsp Gram flour (Besan)

Salt To Taste

Red Chili powder to taste

Little Black pepper powder

Oil to fry

Preparation:

?Peel and cut boiled egg into two halves.

?Sprinkle little salt and pepper on eggs.

?In a bowl take gram flour salt, chili powder and make a thick batter using water.

?Heat oil in a kadhai.

?Dip each egg piece in the batter and deep fry till golden brown on medium flame.

?Serve egg pakora hot .