Money-Saving Eggstravaganza!

Posted by Regan Burns

With the price of meat sky-high, I've been giving a lot more love to a favorite protein source these days: eggs.

For most of us, eggs are a weekend thing, unfairly (I think) singled out as breakfast fare. But they make a delicious and fast dinner option and boy, are they cheap!

Last week, Martha brought in dozens and dozens of fresh eggs from her farm (pictured here) to share with the office (yes, we are very lucky!). The hens at her home in Bedford, New York, started laying around Christmas -- now about 100 eggs are collected from the coops each day! Guess what I had for dinner that night...

Now, all eggs are good, but fresh eggs that come from happy hens like Martha's are truly a revelation. Since they are relatively inexpensive, I urge you to seek out the freshest eggs you can find, laid by chickens raised on an all-vegetarian diet and with plenty of space to roam -- if there's no Martha in your life, try your local farmers' market. Then get cracking!

Here are a few dinner-worthy egg dishes:

• Poached eggs served over greens are classic. Our Spinach Salad also includes bacon and a tangy vinaigrette.

• Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce are so delicious, they might become a weeknight staple in your home (like they have in mine).

• Use produce from your garden to make ratatouille, and then serve it with eggs for a dinner that literally costs pennies.

• Making a Zucchini-Tomato Frittata is a great way to turn eggs into dinner. Serve warm wedges alongside salad tonight; any leftovers make a tasty sandwich for tomorrow's lunch.

• Hard-cooked eggs bulk up a classic Caesar salad (and can be stored in the refrigerator by the dozen).

How do you like your eggs?

Comments

[Lynn]

I made the Spaghetti Carbonara from Marthastewart.com. It was really good. My whole family loved it. It was quick and easy. It only has 5 ingredients plus salt and pepper. So easy and it has only three eggs in it. I just found this Dinner Tonight site recently and I love it.

[Mel]

Poached eggs with some spicy black beans and a slice of toast is my favorite egg dinner.

[Tanya]

my family loves frittata for a quick, easy, cheap, yummy dinner - so many options, too, w/any combo of veggies, meats, cheeses...YUM! :D

[Jaime Richardson]

Aren't eggs a miracle?? They are so versatile, simple, and perfectly beautiful!

[Cate O'Malley]

My favorite ways with eggs are Deviled Eggs, Poached Eggs with Sliced Tomato and Wheat Toast and Spaghetti Carbonara. Yum.

[Jasi]

A quick quiche or frittata is a great way to use up leftovers. Paired with a crisp salad it's a fabulous meal.

[ozjane]

Now we are not talking about diet food here are we?

What I love is scrambled eggs made in the microwave, with about 3-4 eggs to a small bottle/container 300ml of cream.
Stir as they cook and they are so light and fabulous. Can sprinkle cheese over if desired.

The other one I often make is an omelette with eggs a dash of water and the amount that stays on the knife when I put it into the cornflour jar. Mix well, butter pan and cook..

And at the best quiche shopI have ever been to, I finally asked the secret. They said equal weight of eggs and cream.
So I make mini quiches for savories, larger ones in muffin tins as individual lunch ones and of course a whole quiche in a fluted metal quiche dish (the bottom is removeable).

Then of course there is 'Queen's Toast"
Mix egg and milk with wisk and have in flat bowl..put in a slice of bread, or a cheese sandwich and then cook in a pan with a smear of olive oil and then butter.

I could go on to the 12egg chocolate cake but you get so weary on separating the eggs..lol. Must make it again though. It is cooked in a bain marie.

[CS]

Over-medium with hot sauce and toast to soak it all up! yum.

[Olga]

A few days ago I made sweet potato and broccoli hash and topped it all with a poached egg: delicious and easy