Help My Brother Out: Too Many Eggs
Submitted by Stuart Broz on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 1:36pm
Recently, my brother moved to a 5+ acre bit of land in North Carolina. He has, among other creatures, over two dozen chickens. He's had a few chickens for quite awhile, but a big batch of them are young and just started producing eggs. Currently, he's getting about a dozen eggs a day. When spring comes around, he'll be getting more.
I think he's getting a bit tired of omelets, as he turned to me for suggestions on what to cook. He tries not to eat horribly unhealthy foods, which he sees as limiting what he can do with his egg bounty. When I was on the phone with him, I taught him how to make simple popovers, which were a big hit. I'll be sending him a list of other ideas, but I wanted to ask you all for suggestions.
There are a lot of things out there (not just baked goods) that use a surprisingly large number of eggs. What have you come across that's been great?
These are super-high-quality, ultra-fresh eggs produced by happy free-range chickens. What foods have you seen that really highlight the quality of the eggs used in them?
Can you help a brother out? Leave your suggestions below.
Comments
Well, he could always make
Well, he could always make homemade mayonnaise, ice cream, etc. Or maybe barter with a neighbor for something? People are always looking for fresh eggs.
Neighbors
He's definitely looking at that as an option. He's only met a couple of his neighbors so far. This might be a good way to rectify that...
Whites can be successfully
Whites can be successfully frozen for future use. While you're separating, great yolks make great hollandaise, mayo, pastry cream.
Depending on the recipe, creme brulee (or one of a thousand custards out there) can be made with whole eggs or just yolks. They may weep a bit when frozen and thawed, but the texture should still be good.
Another good eggy recipe is challah... he could practice all sorts of different traditional braids.
::nod::
Before he got chickens, he always had boxed egg whites in the freezer, so I think that he'll be amenable to that.
Too many chickens?
If he has too many eggs, perhaps he has too many chickens? That's pretty easy to solve, unless he's a vegetarian.
Yeah
I think, eventually, the goal is to sell eggs at a farmers' market or somesuch. They're currently in a middle phase where they don't quite have enough for that...
He could have one hell of a
He could have one hell of a Halloween prank!
Yeah
If he started saving now, he could be near 10,000 eggs by then...
Eggs benedicte is an
Eggs benedicte is an alternative, there are thousands of recipes out there. I never tried it myself but I am willing to so I have it on my mind. Another idea is crepes. He can use a sugarless version and roll salty ingredients into that: like chicken in bechamel sauce or even tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.
He can always learn to make pasta too.
A twist in the omelet too is tortilla de patatas. It is spanish omelet that is extremely different and tasty.
He can also fry them with ground meat, sumac powder and accompany them with a bit of plain yogurt.
Unless he decides to go "Rocky Balboa" and drink raw eggs for breakfast! lol
Raw eggs
They aren't just a Rocky thing, actually. I know some people who really enjoy them.
He might like the idea of making his own pasta, actually.
Egg-stravaganza
He could always sell them - just put a sign out on the road and people will come. I recently did a 24,24,24 event, posted on my blog, where I served egg and pancetta tarts, chinese tea eggs, egg-stuffed ravioli, and a pavlova. Any combination of those dishes should help him lower his egg count a bit! Also, eggs can be used as a face mask or hair conditioner, if he's into beauty remedies. Also, remind him that you can freeze eggs, egg yolks, or egg whites - just be sure to label them clearly as to how many are in your freezable container!
Huh,
Thanks!
The beauty remedy thing might actually synergize really well with some other things he's doing.
Dessert!
I realize this may fall into the unhealthy category, but meringues and mousse are both excellent for using up eggs.
As far as desserts go,
As far as desserts go, meringues aren't too bad...
Lots of ideas
The problem makes me wish I lived near your brother. I'd definitely help him with his problem. :)
The best advice I can give is for him to make egg-centric dishes that store well such as:
Lemon curd (http://www.joyofbaking.com/LemonCurd.html)
Can be jarred and stored for up to 3 months
Classic Hollandaise Sauce (http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Side/Eggs-Dairy/recipe.html?dishid=642)
Lasts in the fridge up to a week.
Also this thread has a lot of great ideas:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/415031
More good recipes here:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/favorite-egg-recipes-recipe.html
Ultimately though, there's only so many eggs a man (and his family) should eat. The extra shouldn't go to waste. A sign at the end of his driveway should bring him some traffic. It always works when my Dad grows too many turnips, corn, or what-have-you. It was also a good way for my parents to meet their neighbours (and stop trying to get their kids to bring home trunk-loads of vegetables). :)
Thanks!
Yes! Lots of ideas!
That will help.