Eggs around the clock: Ingredient offers versatility

Family Features

Eggs have been the star ingredient in breakfast dishes for centuries, and Americans are becoming more interested in new uses for eggs that extend beyond the morning hours.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Eggland’s Best found that 64 percent of Americans would follow a new food trend using eggs as a topping. In addi tion, more than one out of five indicated brunch or dinner as their favorite meal time to serve eggs.

“Eggs are so versatile and one of my favorite ingredients to cook with,” said Candice Kumai, celebrity chef and cookbook author.

“I always keep my fridge stocked with Eggland’s Best eggs to ensure my recipes come out consistent and tasting phenomenal.”

When it comes to cooking, Kumai also follows a “Foods with Benefits” philosophy, which is why Eggland’s Best can be found in many of her recipes.

Compared with ordi nary eggs, they contain twice the amount of omega-3s and vitamin D, and 10 times more vitamin E.

At-home chefs can get cracking in the kitchen with these egg dishes created by Kumai. Find additional egg recipes and tips from Candice Kumai at www.egglandsbest.com.

The Harris Interactive survey found 34 percent of Americans prefer to prepare their eggs scrambled. A delicious and healthy go-to recipe is the Skinny 3-Veg Scramble (left).

Skinny 3-Veg Scramble

Recipe by Candice Kumai, “Pretty Delicious,” Rodale Publishing 2011.

Makes 4 servings

6 large Eggland’s Best eggs

6 large Eggland’s Best egg whites

1/2 cup salsa

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

1 cup spinach, chopped

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup zucchini, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

4 toasted English muffin halves, whole wheat

Whisk whole eggs, egg whites, salsa, salt and pepper in medium bowl. Stir in roasted peppers, spinach, and beans. Set aside.

Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Add zucchini and cumin, stirring, until softened, for 2 minutes. Pour in egg mixture; gently stir until eggs are cooked to your liking. Serve over English muffins.

Sunnyside Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Recipe by Candice Kumai.

Makes 4 servings

4 large russet potatoes

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 cup baby bella mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 cups spinach

Nonstick cooking spray

4 large Eggland’s Best eggs

1 teaspoon fennel seed

Scrub skin of potatoes, dry well. Poke 5 holes in each potato with fork and place in 400-degree oven, approximately 1 hour.

In medium skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and onion; cook for 8 minutes. Lower heat, add mushrooms, salt, and pepper; stir about 5 minutes. Toss in spinach; cook until wilted, 2 minutes.

Cook sunnyside eggs in a lightly coated medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. After 2 minutes, sprinkle eggs with fennel seed; cook until yolk is medium.

Cut a horizontal slit into each potato. Stuff with spinach and mushroom mixture and gently top with an egg.

Summer Squash & Mushroom Frittata

Recipe by Candice Kumai.

Makes 6 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup sliced button mushrooms

1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 cup summer squash, thinly sliced

6 large Eggland’s Best eggs, beaten well

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon tarragon

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 Roma tomato, thinly sliced

1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese

Coat nonstick, oven-proof skillet with olive oil; heat on stove over medium heat. Add onion and mush rooms; saut 8 to10 minutes or until soft. Add bell pepper and squash; cook 3 to 4 minutes.

In mixing bowl, combine eggs, basil, tarragon and sea salt; mix well. Pour egg mixture over mushrooms and onions in pan.

Reduce heat to medium-low. When eggs begin to set, gently run a heat-proof spatula around edge of skillet. Cook until eggs are firm. While eggs are cook ing, pre-heat oven broiler to medium-high.

Remove skillet from heat; place tomato slices on top of frittata, and sprinkle cheese. Place under oven broiler for a few minutes, until cheese is melted.

Make Your Best Recipe Better

Enter your best recipe for a chance at $10,000. Eggland’s Best (EB) is launching its first Eggland’s Best “Your Best Recipe” Contest to see how fans use EB eggs in their best recipes.

One lucky at-home chef will have the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize, and three runners-up will have the chance to win a $1,000 category prize: Breakfast, Main Course, Appetizer and Dessert.

For official contest rules and to submit your original recipe, visit www.egglandsbest.com/yourbestrecipe, or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/egglandsbesteggs until Aug. 12.