My Favorite Anytime Meal, Lately...

When nothing looks particularly good in the fridge, and I don't want to cook something just for myself I whip this up in less than 10 minutes. Number One Husband and I do not eat breakfast together unless it is a late morning breakfast. I do not like to eat in the mornings. In fact, the smell of food in the morning nearly makes me ill. 

This morning was one of those mornings. Actually, it was nearing noon before I became hungry. I have always been this way. For years and years, I had a 10:45 lunch schedule and it just stuck. 

I did not want to go to the trouble of preparing something grander this morning for myself other than eggs and toast. It is a one pot meal. Number One Husband cannot stand the thought of eating eggs. His grandmother was the same way. So, I rarely ate them until lately.  I cannot get enough. It's quick, easy and downright delicious. 

Eggs on toast with a hot cup of Jane. 

 

Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

Egg Substitutions And Super Inflation...

Eggs used to be a cheap protein source, but not anymore. Now they are extremely expensive like most animal proteins. If you find them on sale buy what you can and freeze the excess. Follow the link for instructions: Egg Preservation

I am really glad that I was able to preserve eggs last year. My hens took a strange weather-related egg laying break in the middle of egg laying season. It's winter now and they do not lay in the winter months due to the lack of daylight. I like to use a natural plan when it comes to raising animals. 

Prices are all over the place when it comes to eggs, and they are hard to come by in a lot of areas. I noticed that the eggs in our grocery store are now so low in stock that they only rate a small endcap cooler and most of it was empty. This change was alarming to me because the cooler had doors that could be locked if needed. 

There are many substitutions used for eggs in baking. They range from aquafaba (bean cooking water) to bananas. I put together a list of substitutions from a simple Google search. 

Substitute: Aquafaba (Bean Cooking Liquid) Replacement: 3 tablespoons aquafaba = 1 large egg 

Substitute: Chia Seeds. Replacement: 1 tablespoon chia seeds (whole or ground) and 3 tablespoons of water = 1 large egg 

Substitute: 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder and 3 tablespoons water = 1 large egg

Substitute: 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 large egg for most recipes

Substitute: 1/4 cup mashed banana = 1 large egg

Substitute: 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil = 1 large egg
 
Substitute: 1 teaspoon of baking soda +1 tablespoon vinegar = 1 Large egg

* Hint: I save canned bean water in a freezer bag in the freezer. I add it to add to any number of soups and sauces for added flavor and nutrition. It can also be used to make vegetarian marshmallows. And now I know it can be used as an egg substitute. It is true what they say, you learn something new every day. 

Mrs. Smith

Pickling Eggs...



Boil or steam some eggs...




This is Stella, a 13 year old young pup that I was taking care of while her owner was away. I had lots of company while I was cooking and peeling the eggs.  



Have you ever wondered what to do with your left over dill pickle juice?

More company...



Peel your boiled or steamed eggs...



Add cooked and peeled eggs to your left over dill pickle juice. Make sure the eggs are fully covered with juice.



I also made pickled eggs using left over pickled beet juice. I used the same technique that I used with the left over dill pickle juice. I made a spicy version of pickled eggs using 2/3 c apple cider vinegar, 2/3 c water  and 2 oz of hot sauce for 1/ 2 dozen eggs. Let the eggs marinate in the fridge for at least two weeks before eating. The pickled eggs should last  up to 3 months or longer if stored properly.  


 

This is Evander, a hungry abandoned Llama that was also looking for a hand out. We have had amazing snow drifts this year that have covered up the grass most of the winter. Evander has never once come into our yard until this year. We picked him up some hay, so he wouldn't starve.