The egg and I and early death

Dale and I want to live long and healthy lives, but we’re not obsessed with every study or every trend that purports to buy us more time. At some point, you just have to tune out the noise and go about your business.

However, this week’s headline about eggs got my attention. I remember when eggs were on the naughty list. Now they’re good again, but I was skimming the news and read eating more than three eggs per week increases your risk of heart disease and early death.

I was devastated, because I eat about three eggs a week, not realizing, of course, the clause about early death. I’m no stable genius, but I’m proud of my adult-like response.

Fuck it, I’m eating eggs.

I mentioned the sad egg news to Dale, and he said no! It was three eggs per day. Surely, he was wrong, but it turns out he was right. I misread the headline. I would never eat three eggs a day, unless it was a cheesy three-egg omelet, and I had no free will.

So, yes, eggs are still on the menu. I sometimes eat a fried egg on toast with just a smidgen of butter for breakfast, but I do fry the egg without fat in a non-stick pan. Soft-boiled eggs are a tasty alternative with the potential for cute accessories – special cups, plates, spoons, snippers and even cozies to keep them warm! It’s like a cult.

As for evening, I might make a spinach souffle or omelet. My sister taught me to make fluffy omelets in high school. For years, omelets and tacos were the only two things I knew how to make … limiting for sure, but at least I chose well. Regrettably, those were days when I knew not of what I ate, and I recall putting chopped Vienna Sausages in my omelet.

But onto better times! Behold, Spaghetti Carbonara, where raw eggs mix with Parmesan cheese and Pancetta and cook with the heat of the pasta. Another favorite is Caesar Salad. I make the dressing with a 1-minute egg, olive oil, lemon, garlic and anchovies.

One of our favorite egg dishes is something I made up. I actually have several recipes in the category of Made-Up Mexican. We call this one Huevos Dineros. I know the translation is wrong, dinero means money not dinner, but it just sounds funny to me. It’s a heartier dish than the Huevos Rancheros I make for weekend brunch.

For Huevos Dineros, I fry corn tortillas in vegetable oil until crisp. Two each, slightly overlapping on a sheet pan or other broiler-friendly dish. Top with homemade red chile sauce or canned enchilada sauce that has been warmed and doctored up with cumin, cayenne and whatever else suits your fancy.

Gently slide a lightly fried egg on top of each serving and cover with grated cheddar cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbly. Use a spatula to transfer each serving onto a plate and add shredded iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, maybe a few radishes and perfect slices of ripe avocado. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream. Serve with salsa on the side.

You can always make it with two eggs each if you are all ungry like.

How do you like your eggs?

9 thoughts on “The egg and I and early death”

  1. I eat two eggs, whole wheat toast and fruit AT LEAST three to four times a week (I alternate with whole wheat waffles and oatmeal) and Ihave hard boiled eggs on hand for snacks on occasion. I have no intention of changing any of this although I have thought about using the fake stuff in baking.

    1. I would have a hard time using the fake stuff for anything. Your breakfast choices sound delicious! I love waffles, but I don’t have a waffle maker. I keep thinking about it, wondering if I really need one. I had a waffle recently in a restaurant, and it wasn’t very good. The waiter didn’t know what I meant when I asked if they had real maple syrup. At home, at least you get primo ingredients.

  2. A six-minute boiled egg is a favorite of mine, served on toast with salsa or chutney. Another favorite method is a fried egg with the yolk broken, topped with a little grated cheese that’s allowed to melt prior to serving. Again, served on toast. I also enjoy a pickled egg with salt & pepper for a snack. And then there’s an egg salad sandwich with dill pickle slices. I guess I like eggs. I think they’ve been given a bad rap, like butter and whole milk. I believe in everything in moderation, including moderation.

    1. Hi Mona – yum! I don’t believe I’ve had a pickled egg – that sounds good. We also enjoy almost all foods in moderation, including butter and whole milk and whole milk yogurt. Thanks for sharing your egg love.

    1. You and Guy Fieri! I have always loved the old-fashioned Chef’s Salad with ham, turkey, cheese and hard-boiled eggs. With Thousand Island dressing.

  3. Could’nt imagine a life without eggs.
    All the mentioned recipes and ideas are delicious.
    Sometimes I have “zwei Eier im Glas” for breakfast. That means to put two soft boiled and peeled eggs in a glass, garnished with a dollop of butter and a bit salt. Not spectacular, but good.

    I only buy free range eggs in very good quality.

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