Ode to the Egg Recipes
Creamy and rich, eggs are one of the world’s finest gifts to the cook, as they are delicious served scrambled, poached, whisked or fried. Thus, this week’s delivery is devoted to the glorious egg, and an extra-special one at that, too, with decadent oversize duck eggs to go along with those from our own brood of heritage-breed hens. Also filled with an assortment of egg-friendly pairings—think: organic breakfast sausages from Skagit River Ranch, fresh Challah bread, housemade crème fraîche, and orange marmalade—plus, a bevy of fresh produce like asparagus, pea tendrils and bright citrus, this breakfast-themed box will help you craft the perfect egg.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Challah Bread French Toast
This lovely, light French toast gets an extra boost of flavor from this week’s duck eggs!
Spring Salad with Deviled Duck Egg Vinaigrette
This salad puts both egg yolks and whites to delicious use.
Buttered Radishes with Poached Eggs
Tender radishes and shallots are topped with a silky poached egg for the perfect finish.
Chive Blossom Vinegar
This punchy vinegar is fantastic incorporated into salad dressings.
Preserved Meyer Lemons
Use these preserves in salads or stews, or whisk the pulp into a salad dressing or a Bloody Mary.
Poached Duck Egg Salad with Frizzled Leeks
The lovely runny egg yolk becomes the vinaigrette for this beautiful salad.
Ingredients:
3-4 cups baby lettuce greens
2 duck eggs
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
2-4 tablespoons olive oil
Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Frizzled leeks (see recipe)
Method:
1. To poach the eggs, half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add a hefty pinch of salt. Meanwhile, crack each egg into it’s own small bowl and add a teaspoon of vinegar to each. Stir the boiling water vigorously with a balloon whisk until you have a whirlpool then immediately (and softly!) slip the egg into the pot. Turn the heat down low, and cook for 3 minutes. Gently lift eggs out of the pot and drain on paper towels.
2. Divide the spinach greens onto two plates, then add a poached egg to each. Season the salads with salt and pepper, then drizzle lightly with olive oil and lemon juice. Top with a generous helping of frizzled leeks. Serves 2, but can easily be doubled or tripled for more portions.
Mushroom & Asparagus Eggs Benedict
Served over toasted bread, this eggs Benedict is truly stunning.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
6 ounces wild mushrooms, halved or quartered depending on size
¼ cup white wine, or broth
½ cup heavy cream
4 slices multigrain bread, lightly toasted
12 spears asparagus, blanched
4 eggs
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add the butter and allow it to melt, then toss in the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Add the wine or broth, deglaze the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes and reduce the heat to low.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Swirl the water in the pot. Crack an egg into a bowl and gently pour the egg from the bowl into the water. Repeat with another egg. Let the eggs cook until the whites are set but the yolks are not, about 2-3 minutes then fish them out. Repeat with remaining two eggs.
4. To serve, place the toast on plates, top with the asparagus, poached eggs and creamy mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Poached Eggs Over Braised Greens on Multigrain Toast
Fantastic for lunch, brunch, a snack or supper!
Ingredients:
4 eggs
4 teaspoons vinegar
1 pound braising greens, such as spinach or baby kale
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Multigrain bread, sliced and toasted
Method:
1. To poach the eggs, half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add a hefty pinch of salt. Meanwhile, crack each egg into its own small bowl and add a teaspoon of vinegar to each. Stir the boiling water vigorously with a balloon whisk until you have a whirlpool then immediately (and softly!) slip the egg into the pot. Turn the heat down low, and cook for three minutes. Gently lift eggs out of the pot and drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the greens and cook until all are just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. To serve, top a piece of multigrain toast with a hearty helping of greens and a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with microgreens.
