Egg-Citing Ways to Cook Eggs for Breakfast or Brunch!

Eggs have been a breakfast staple for generations. Most of us enjoy eggs, not only for their flavor and texture but also for their nutritional value. When you think about it, of all the ingredients we use in cooking some of our favorite dishes, very few can compare in nutritional value. Did you know that one large egg contains about 6 grams of high-quality protein and 14 essential nutrients?

So whether you like them soft-boiled, scrambled, baked, or poached, there's an egg dish that fits your breakfast/brunch style perfectly... any time of the day!

Now for a brunch with friends or family, in my mind that brunch isn’t just about the food; it’s about connection. Sharing a meal with friends and loved ones can lead to laughter and joy, making the experience unforgettable.

Creative Egg Dishes to Try

1.

I love to start my day with a great-tasting breakfast containing an egg as it keeps me feeling full much longer than cereal or toast. Normally, I keep a few hard-boiled eggs in the fridge so for a quick and healthy breakfast, I simply top a Ryvita crispbread with a sliced hard-boiled egg and sliced cucumber.

For something more substantial, especially when starting the day a bit later than my usual 5-6 am start, I occasionally make a bowl filled with salad greens, sliced avocado, peppers, cucumbers, and green apples that I top with one or two quartered hard-boiled eggs. When I serve this salad at a brunch, I often also add a bit of cooked quinoa to make it a bit more filling (as per photo below).

2. Egg Cups

Mini egg cups are a fantastic option for those on the go. Simply whisk eggs with your choice of vegetables, cheese, and cooked meats, pour them into muffin tins, and bake. These bite-sized treats are cute and versatile.

You can experiment with flavor combinations such as spinach and feta or ham and cheddar. Each egg cup generally has about 70-90 calories, making them a lighter option.

3. Classic Eggs Benedict

Eggs benedict is the epitome of brunch indulgence, with poached eggs, English muffins and bacon, all topped with rich hollandaise sauce.

Personally, I love my eggs poached on a bagel or home-made sugarless waffles with toppings such as smoked turkey and cheese or steamed asparagus. However, if you want to switch things up, consider using crab cakes or smoked salmon instead of ham and asparagus, and add avocado slices for a creamy touch.

For those of you who would like to make perfectly poached eggs, take a look below. This is the way I do mine: To poach eggs, you will need the following:

2 large Eggs – really fresh eggs are always better

A pot

Water

Vinegar

A slotted spoon

A coffee cup

A plate covered with kitchen paper

Preparation Method

Boil the water in pot with a tablespoon of vinegar. When the water reaches boiling point, reduce heat and allow water to simmer. Now crack the first egg into a cup and dip the egg into the water allowing the water to cook the egg for a really short moment before you let it drop into water. Do the same for the second egg. While the eggs are cooking gently keep the water moving with a spoon. For soft poached eggs remove with slotted spoon after 3 minutes and eggs with a more solid yolk, 4 – 5 minutes.

Drain as much of the water of with slotted spoon and the place eggs on a paper towel. If needed and when cool enough to handle, pick up each egg very carefully and use a pair of scissors to cut away any pieces of the white you don’t like.

Season with salt and paper and serve immediately.

Tips!

Poached eggs can be held in an ice bath for up to an hour. When it's time to serve, put them back in the hot water until they warm up (about 45 seconds) and serve.
Before you decide to cook poached eggs for guests or a crowd, make sure to make a few for yourself as you are bound to be unhappy with a few eggs until you get the hang of it!
I prefer cooking one at a time for the perfect results. I leave it up to you to decide what works best for you.

4. Fluffy Omelets

With omelets, creativity knows no bounds. Whisk eggs and customize your filling with anything from sautéed peppers and onions to smoked salmon and herbs.

To ensure your omelets are fluffy, cook on low heat, avoid overcrowding the pan, and lightly fold them. A perfect omelet can be achieved in about 5 minutes, showcasing that great taste doesn’t have to take long!

For something even more substantial try making my Potato Omelet with Onions and Red Peppers that I shared with you some years ago but that I still love and make often for Brunch on weekends.( Photo here below).

https://www.cook-eat-go.com/post/2017/11/30/potato-omelet-with-onions-and-red-peppers

5. Deviled Eggs

Once considered an old-school appetizer, deviled eggs are making a comeback as a brunch staple. You can prepare these creamy bites in advance and customize them with toppings like bacon bits, jalapeños, or fresh herbs.

These delicious pieces are pretty easy to make and always make a colorful addition to your brunch menu.

Traditionally, to make deviled eggs, you basically need peeled, hard-boiled eggs that are cut in half lengthwise. Then, the yolks are carefully removed and transferred to a bowl, and mashed with a fork.

Next, you make a creamy filling of your choice that is seasoned to your liking and then combine it with the mashed egg yolks to create a creamy paste.

For the creamy filling, mix the cooked and mashed egg yolks with either softened butter, whipping cream, mayonnaise, yogurt, and other seasonings and/or herbs to taste. NB: When I want a really healthy version, I actually cream high protein, low fat cottage cheese in a blender and then mix that with the egg yolks and herbs of choice or other seasoning.

Finally, divide the creamy egg mixture among the egg white cavities or, if you prefer, pipe the filling into the egg white cavities. Place it on a serving dish and enjoy!

A Few Extras to Complement Your Egg-Centric Brunch and/or Breakfast

While eggs take the spotlight, don’t forget some sweet treats or breads to balance your breakfast and/or brunch. Often, a visit to the nearest good bakery in your area will take care of the breads or sweets you might want. However, if you feel like making some on your own, here are a few ideas that can be found on my website. Just tap on the photo you like below; the links will take you to the blog post/recipe or go directly to the links below the photos: