Eggsecutive Orders

EGGCELLENT EGGS

EGGS ARE ONE OF THE MOST BASIC INGREDIENTS in the kitchen. They’re great on their own, whether coddled; scrambled; fried; boiled; or simply accented in omelets, quiches, and custards. They serve to bind savory ingredients together, as in meat loaf, meatballs, croquettes, and so on. They make baking possible, forming a protein base for everything from cookies to cakes to pancakes to crepes to soufflés and beyond. Eggs are probably the single most versatile ingredient a cook works with. They’re also fast-cooking, full of nutrients and easily digested protein, and delicious. What more can any chef ask for?

I work long hours, so I frequently fix myself breakfast for dinner after a long day in the kitchen. There’s just nothing better than a fried egg sandwich for a late-night meal when I don’t feel like rustling up something complicated to eat. I refuse to apologize for it these days. Whenever I mention my little secret of eating breakfast food at night, my friends all confess to loving breakfast for dinner, too. It’s even become something I deal with in my job, because the First Family actually asks for breakfast for dinner about once a month, so I’ve added it to the official White House First Family Meal Rotation. I never thought my secret fetish for breakfast at night would become a job requirement. But eggs are comfort food, so I can see why they remain perennial favorites, especially in the White House.

Here are a number of good egg recipes to try for yourself, ranging from the simple to the refined. Eggs don’t have to be confined to breakfast or brunch. Try them for dinner. I bet you’ll find, as I have, that the people you’re feeding will love them. Happy noshing!

Ollie