The concept of Jughandle’s Fat Farm is to lead our followers to a healthier existence. We can do that by teaching and examining the simple acts of gathering food (shopping, growing, etc) and preparing a meal. Once everyone understands why we eat and what the food does to our bodies we can then choose the path we would like to follow.
Instead of being pulled by the palate down the road of fast food and pre-prepared meals, we can make choices. Every one from Man to child should know how to cook (not just forage in the refrigerator) when they are hungry.
Cooking schools teach that Cooking an Egg is one of the most basic and important skills a cook can master. I had to learn what it meant to separate 7 eggs into two bowls. You don’t just put 3 eggs in one bowl and 4 in the other.
Egg Chemistry
Eggs are the most complex and important ingredient we will cook with. Because they are high in protein they react to different methods of preparation. Heating or the friction of whipping (also heating) causes those protein coils to unwind. They attach to each other when they unwind. The attachment creates a mesh that traps air or liquid that becomes set when the mixture is heated to the setting point. You can observe the trapped air reaction in whipped egg whites and the liquid in a custard. The difference between a thick egg mixture and scrambled eggs is just 10 degrees of heat. So most egg dishes should be cooked slow and low to better control the results.
Trick of the trade: make a speedy custard by adding cornstarch or flour to your mixture. That speeds the formation of the protein mesh, thus stretching the window between success and a curdled mess.
Eggs also provide moisture to a dish, which when heated create steam and aids in the rising of cakes and pastries. Eggs are also emulsifiers. One end of the molecule attracts water and the other attracts oil. That is why you need an egg in a salad dressing such as Caesar’s or in a thick dressing such as mayonnaise.
How To Cook An Egg
Lesson 1: How to Hard Boil An Egg
There are many ways to boil and egg, but remembering the slow and low method (think gentle) we will do the following:
place 4 to 6, three day old eggs, in a sauce pan.
Cover the eggs barely with cold water
place pan on high heat uncovered
when water comes to a rolling boil turn off the heat and cover pan
start timer for 10 mins
when timer is finished uncover pan and run cold water over the eggs until cool
Eat or refrigerate
Tip of the trade: 3 day to week old eggs make the best hard-boiled eggs because they peel more easily. Fresh eggs stick to the shell and waste the egg when peeled. Cook’s Bible says that ” if the pH of the egg white is below 8.9 it is likely to adhere to the inner membrane of the shell. Fresh eggs have a pH of 8 and a 3 day old egg is a little over 9.0.”
Lesson 2: How to Poach an Egg
In a pan of rolling boiling water put 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for every 6 cups of boiling water. Swirl the water by stirring, forming a whirlpool. Gently crack the egg into the center of the whirlpool. Cook 2 mins for a runny center, 3 mins for a thick center and 4 to five minutes for a hard cooked center.
Lesson 3: How to Fry and Egg
Remembering the slow and low method, most fried egg problems such as, over cooking, crispy edges or dried out whites, are caused from cooking too hot. Start your frying pan on med high then once the pan is hot turn it down to med-low. Put in 1 tablespoon of butter and crack the egg into the butter.
For “over-easy” eggs, wait until the white has set and gently flip or turn the egg with a spatula. Continue to cook until the yoke is done to your likeness.
For “sunny-side-up” or “partial-eclipse” eggs, cook until the white is almost set. Add a tablespoon of water to the pan and cover with a lid. Steam the egg until the yolk is to your liking.
Lesson 4: How to Scramble and Egg
Crack two eggs into a small bowl. Add 3 tablespoon of cream, salt and pepper to taste.
Cook in a non-stick skillet on med-low until done, stirring with a wood spoon as needed.
You can also use a double boiler over simmering water to cook these eggs.
Lesson 5: How to Make and Omelet
Start with 2 eggs. Whisk in salt (a pinch) pepper (to taste), fresh herbs (tarragon is nice) and 1 teaspoon of water per egg.
Melt a tablespoon of butter in a non-stick or well seasoned omelet pan over medium-high heat.
Add the beaten egg mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low.
After 10 seconds pull the edges of the omelet to the center with a spatula.
Tilt the pan to allow the uncooked eggs to run off the cooked ones and onto the pan
do this until most of the uncooked eggs are cooked.
Fill the omelet with cheese, ham, etc. and
slide the omelet to one side of the pan by tilting the pan.
Using the spatula, flip half of the omelet over the filling
Turn the omelet over to finish cooking for about 30 sec.
Slide on to plate and serve.
You are now an expert egg cook. Practice, practice, practice – jughandle