Ultimate Recipe Swap: Eggs

I love EGGS! Seriously, I could eat them for every meal... there are days that I do! We usually get about 3 dozen fresh EGGS at a time, and it will normally last us a week and a half to two weeks! Normally I just scramble them for burritos, or make yummy omelets with them. But here are a couple of my favorite EGG recipes!  Head over to Life As Mom to read more!

Mini Bacon and Cheese Quiches

prep: 15 min / cook: 20 min / total: 35 min

1 spray(s) cooking spray

36 item(s) wonton wrapper(s), 3 ½-inches square each

1 small onion(s), finely chopped

1 cup(s) fat-free EGG substitute**

1 ½ cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk

½ cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

4 slice(s) cooked crisp turkey bacon, crumbled

* Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat 36 miniature muffin cups with cooking spray.

* Gently press 1 wonton wrapper into each muffin cup allowing ends to extend above cups. Spray edges of wrappers with cooking spray; set aside.

* Meanwhile, in a small skillet, stir-fry onion over medium-high heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together EGG substitute, milk and cheese. Stir in bacon and onion until well combined. Fill each wonton wrapper with about 1 tablespoon of filling mixture.

* Bake until quiche mixture is set and edges of wrappers are lightly browned, about 20 minutes. 

POINTS® Value: 3

**You can use real EGGS, I've done it before. You will just have to disregard the points value**

Broccoli and Cheese Mini Egg Omelets

total: 25 min

4 cups broccoli florets

4 whole EGGS

1 cup EGG whites

¼ cup reduced fat cheddar

¼ cup good grated cheese like pecorino romano

1 tbs olive oil

salt and fresh pepper

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°. Steam broccoli with a little water for about 6-7 minutes.

When broccoli is cooked, mash into smaller pieces and add olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Spray cupcake tin with cooking spray and spoon broccoli mixture evenly into 9 tins.

In a medium bowl, beat EGG whites, EGGS, grated cheese, salt and pepper. Pour into the greased tins over broccoli until a little more than ¾ full. Top with grated cheddar and bake in the oven until cooked, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator to enjoy during the week.

The Amazing Egg

On my breakfast burrito post I had started typing a side note about eggs, but then one paragraph turned into two.... Finally I decided to just make a new post about it!

Egg Trivia:

• Unsure if an egg has been boil or is raw? Spin it. A hard boiled egg will easily spin because it is solid. A raw egg will wobble because of the liquid inside. 
• The color of an egg's shell is determained by breed. Hens that have white feathers and earlobes will produce white eggs. Hen's that are red or brown feathered will make brown eggs. It has nothing to do with taste or nutrition. 
• Brown eggs tend to cost more because brown hens cost more to raise. 
• In Macedonia, an egg can mean the difference between life and death. According to local lore, if you share a birthday or even a birth month with a dying relative, your days are likewise numbered. The only way to cheat fate is to share the yolk of an egg with this relative while standing on opposite sides of a stream. Similarly, a dying man might save himself if he finds someone to share a sugared egg with him on the threshold of a house.
• Eggs will age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.
• Eggs contain all the essential protein, minerals and vitamins, except Vitamin C. But egg yolks are one of few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D. Eggs also contain choline, which is necessary for healthy cell membranes in the body. Choline stimulates brain development and function and helps preserving memory. Eggs also are good for your eyes because they contain lutein which helps prevents age-related cataracts and muscular degeneration. In fact, eggs contain more lutein than spinach and other green vegetables.

Ok...  enough trivial knowledge! Have you looked at the choices of eggs in a grocery store lately? It seems like everyday someone comes up with another way to sell eggs! Let's take a look at some of the different choices you'll see out there....

• Certified Organic: These are produced by hens who have been fed an organic diet, free of any pesticides or hormones. Eggs labeled as this have to meet the USDA's guidelines.
• Free-Range: Eggs with this label are produced from hens who are raised outside, or at least have daily access to the outdoors. These eggs usually cost more because these hens normally produce a lower volume of eggs and the upkeep costs more. 
• Cage Free: This is a term that you should always be very skeptical of. It is not USDA regulated and therefore there are no guidelines or regulations as to how it can be used. It is usually mean to mean eggs produced by hens who are allowed to roam around in a barn, but not outside. 
• Fertile Eggs: This just means that the eggs came from hens who are in pens with roosters. You will usually find these at farmers markets, or if you buy straight from the farm. 
• Nutrient Enriched: These eggs, in my opinion are a waste of money. The hens are fed nutrient enriched feed, so that they will produce eggs that are higher in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals, or that have less saturated fats. These usually cost over $4, and you really aren't getting much of a difference in your diet with them. 
• Pasturized: These eggs are flash-heated to kill off any salmonella. They're good if you have a compromised immune system. 

You have to be very careful what type of eggs you buy. Just because it says something on the package doesn't mean the company hasn't found a loophole, just so they can say that. Do your research!
              And no matter what.... Don't buy eggs in Styrofoam!!!!!!!!!!!