Eggs...There is No Substitute

Eggs...there is no substitute. Well, that's not exactly true! Actually I use egg substitute quite often with terrific results as well as without the cholesterol. So, you may be wondering why we are talking about eggs. Eggs are a great way to help your grocery bill, that's why! Eggs are still relatively affordable and they can be used in a multitude of ways.

Eggs provides protein so you could substitute some of your expensive meat eating meals with them. Many people think of eggs as just for breakfast; however they can really be used for every meal around the clock! Omelets, fritatas, burritos, salad, scrambles, quiches, pizza, poached, fried, hard boiled and even quesadillas!

I'm not going to get into the difference between brown eggs, organic eggs, hormone filled eggs or about vegetarianism etc....we're just talking recipes here. We have personally replaced a minimum of two meals a week with eggs instead of meat with great results. We both love egg salad sandwiches so we bought a two dozen pack of eggs at Costco and quickly hard boiled half of them. Hard boiling is so simple, just make sure you store them in an air tight container unless you want everything in the fridge smelling like eggs - LOL!

Hard Boiled Eggs for Snacks or Sandwiches

Hard Boiled Eggs

Place the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by a 1/2-inch or so. Bring to a gentle boil. Now turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for exactly seven minutes. Have a big bowl of ice water ready and when the eggs are done cooking place them in the ice bath for three minutes or so - long enough to stop the cooking. Repeat until totally cooled and then use or place into air tight container.

Fiesta Frittata

Wouldn't this Fiesta Frittata be perfect for dinner? No meat whatsoever and it's delicious!

FIESTA FRITTATA

Ingredients:
8 Eggs (or egg substitute totaling 8 eggs)
1 (8-ounce) carton low-fat cottage cheese
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chile peppers, slightly drained
½ cup reduced-fat sour cream, optional
½ cup chunky salsa, optional
Cilantro sprigs, optional

Beat eggs; add cottage cheese and 1 cup Mexican cheese, blend well; set aside. In a 10-inch, non-stick, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add green chilies and stir to mix. Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet; cook for 2-3 minutes or until mixture looks set around the rim. Keeping mixture in skillet, bake in 350ºF oven until knife inserted in center of dish comes out clean or about 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese and place under broiler for about 1 minute to brown and melt cheese (watch carefully). Cut into wedges and serve with reduced-fat sour cream and salsa and garnish with sprigs of cilantro, if desired. Hint: To make the skillet oven-proof, wrap the handle with aluminum foil.

Pizza Eggburger

How about a Pizza Burger? My husband loves these and I think they would be a hit with kids too.

PIZZA EGGBURGER

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon butter
1 egg
1 whole wheat hamburger bun
2-3 slices of pepperoni
1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon pizza sauce

Heat butter in small skillet over medium heat. Break and slip egg into pan. Break yolk, if desired. When egg is set but still moist on tip, add slices of pepperoni. Turn egg over and sprinkle with cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. Open bun, spread with pizza sauce, and top with cooked egg.

Egg Bundle Appetizers

These Egg Bundles would be perfect for appetizers and look fancy but are really simple to make.

DELICIOUS EGG BUNDLES

Ingredients:
1 package (16 ounces) frozen phyllo dough, thawed
¾ cup butter, melted
½ cup dry bread crumbs
1 package cream cheese, cut into cubes
12 eggs
1 cup ham, diced
1 cup shredded provolone cheese
2 tablespoons minced chives

Directions:
Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a cutting board; brush with butter. Top with another sheet of phyllo; brush with butter. Repeat three times. Cut phyllo in half lengthwise, then cut widthwise into thirds. Repeat process so you have 12 stacks.

Grease 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle bread crumbs into bottom of muffin cups. Carefully place phyllo stacks into cups. Brush edges of dough with butter. Top each with cubes of cream cheese.

Break each egg separately into a custard cup; gently pour egg over cream cheese. Sprinkle with ham, provolone cheese and chives. Pinch corners of phyllo together to seal. Bake at 400°F for 13-17 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Serves 12.

Want even more eggstraspecial recipes?

FRITATAS: http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Breakfast-and-Brunch/Egg-Dishes/Frittata/ViewAll.aspx

FARMER'S MARKET OMELET: http://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes-and-more/recipes/farmers-market-omelets

BACON & EGG QUESADILLAS: http://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes-and-more/recipes/bacon-egg-quesadillas

BAKED CUSTARD: http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Baked-Custard.aspx?recipeid=29738

VEGGIE POACHED EGGS: http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/breakfast-brunch/eggsegg-substitutes/vegetable-poached-eggs.aspx

Please share your favorite egg recipes in the comments...Happy Cooking!

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