Egg Inspired Recipes
We love using our fresh eggs for new recipes and our family favorites. We know that not everyone has access to farm fresh eggs but there are so many awesome brands of eggs available now that offer cage-free, free-range and organic eggs. I did some research to figure out what all the labels really mean.
Cage Free- Is a voluntary label recognized by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Cage Free birds are permitted to roam in a room, building, or enclosure without the confines of battery cages. This does not mean they have much space or ever go outdoors.
Free Range- Is another voluntary label, which means that chickens have access to the outdoors. There are no regulations on how much time and space is allotted to being outdoors.
Pasture Raised- Is not currently defined by the AMS, the rules have not yet been developed. Mike Badger, executive director of the American Pasture Poultry Producers Association, says pasture-raised is a model in which birds are raised outdoors based on time of year, location, and age of the birds; and likely on a rotated pasture: One spot this week, a different spot next. “If you let the chickens repeatedly forage in the same ground, they’re eventually going to turn it into a dirt lot, no matter the size,” Badger says. “Rotate the pasture for both soil health and bird health. New pasture moves chickens away from their own manure onto fresh green grass, with the chance to forage for bugs.”
Organic- Certified Organic egg-laying hens are cage free, have access to the outdoors, and are vegetarian/organically fed. They also have to have year-round access to the outdoors.
Nutritional benefits of eggs-
Eggs are a very good source of inexpensive, high-quality protein. More than half the protein of an egg is found in the egg white. Eggs are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B2, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. Egg yolks contain more calories and fat than the whites. Eggs are a source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and lecithin.
Egg Inspired Recipes
Swedish Pancakes (crepes)-
We love our crepes! We make them almost weekly. They save well for left overs and we love playing around with toppings and fillings!
https://sugar-n-spicegals.com/2016/09/swedish-pancakes.html
German Pancakes-
Although our Swedish pancakes or (crepes) are our go to breakfast choice, this German pancake recipe was fabulous. It was like a thicker crepe pie! We loved the texture and watching it expand and contract coming out of the oven was a hoot. We used a cast iron pan to bake it and it worked perfectly. I topped it with three different sauces. First one was strawberries and powdered sugar, second was a combo of blueberries, sugar and lemon juice and third was sliced sauteed apples with cinnamon.
https://newsfromthecoop.hoovershatchery.com/our-familys-favorite-breakfast-german-pancakes-recipe/
Tater Tot Casserole-
This is our go to recipe for entertaining and is a firehouse favorite for Joe. You can make it the night before and then bake in the am. Joe likes to make it with hot bulk Italian sausage but I prefer Whole Foods fresh bulk sage breakfast sausage. I go a little lighter on the cheese too.
Paleo Breakfast Casserole-
This casserole is perfect for those seeking to eliminate dairy or seeking a paleo diet. I have grown to like sweet potatoes for breakfast after we tried this recipe. You can choose what ever breakfast sausage you like we use hot bulk sometimes too. I love to add spinach to the casserole as well.
https://www.clarkscondensed.com/recipe/sweet-potato-breakfast-casserole/#_a5y_p=3006264
Asparagus, Artichoke, Pesto, Goat Cheese Quiche with Quinoa Crust-
I chose this quiche for easter it was pretty easy to make and looks stunning. I made the mistake of not buying fresh artichokes but canned instead. So I had to cut the heart out of quartered canned artichokes. I think the texture would be better if I had steamed fresh artichokes and then cut out the heart. The quinoa crust is a great touch and gluten free! I thought it could have used some salt and pepper in the recipe. Overall we loved the pesto taste and blend of cheese and veggies!
https://www.closetcooking.com/asparagus-baby-artichoke-pesto-and-goat/
Egg Recipes I look forward to trying!
Fun Deviled eggs! I could not find the exact recipe for this but loved the idea. It’s like a deviled egg bar. I have to admit I hate deviled eggs but my husband loves them! The idea is you make normal deviled eggs and put crazy toppings on them like capers, sesame seeds, pickled jalepenos, capers, blue cheese, beets, tomatoes or anything that sounds fabulous on a deviled egg. Here is one recipe I found with a similar theme. https://www.awholelottaoven.com/blog/four-types-deviled-eggs/
Avocado Egg Salad-
This looks like a yummy and flavorful twist to Egg Salad.
https://downshiftology.com/recipes/avocado-egg-salad/
