The egg.

The epitome of spring, a symbol of Easter, birth and new beginnings. And lucky for us – a beautiful and nutritious food!

I always opt for what I like to call ‘happy eggs’ meaning that the eggs come from a farm where the hens have space to scratch about, forage for insects and worms, take dust baths, perch and lay eggs in nests. Basically, living a happy hen life; happy hen = happy egg.

Here is a photo of happy hens at Holdanca Farm, Nova Scotia:

Most eggs you see in a supermarket are from large operations where the hens are kept in extremely small cages – a space equivalent to one chicken standing on a standard size piece of paper (imagine being ‘cooped up’ in an elevator with no room to move or stretch for your entire life – YIKES!) Labels and names on egg cartons may make you think that the hens are well treated – but the best way to make sure is to ask the egg producer or farmer about their hen’s living conditions. Pasture raised is the best choice.   Ask questions: “Are your hens pasture raised?” “Are they outside when weather permits?” “Do they have nests?”

“But pasture raised eggs are more expensive, Edie”     Yes, that is true – but how can we enjoy an egg knowing that it came from a miserable, stressed out hen! ?   Annnnnd pasture raised eggs are markedly more nutritious than conventional eggs. Many studies have shown that vitamins A, D and E are higher in pasture raised eggs. They have lower fat and cholesterol and are much higher in Omega 3′s. A hen eating its natural diet produces a more nutritious egg – Mother Nature wins again!

Hunt for your eggs at a farmer’s market, directly from a farmer or a market that stocks happy eggs.

This is a very sad short film on battery hens :

Humane Society International on Battery Hens

HOW TO COOK A SOFT BOILED HAPPY EGG

I used to drop eggs into boiling water and watch the egg whites seep out of cracked shells. Over and over I did it this way and then I became…eggwhitened!

Here is a foolproof method:

Place your eggs in a saucepan so that they can all sit on the bottom.

Add cold water so that the eggs are well covered.

Bring water quickly to a boil over high heat. Immediately cover the saucepan and remove from the heat to stop boiling. Let eggs stand in the water, covered, for about 4 minutes for large eggs.

Remove eggs from the water. Run cold water over the eggs.

Place in an egg cup. Slice off the top end and eat with a spoon

Hope you had a hoppy, happy Easter!!

xoedie