Scrambled eggs
From Free net encyclopedia
Scrambled eggs refers to a method or style of cooking typically chicken eggs and eaten typically for breakfast. Other common ways to serve eggs include hardboiled, fried, or in an omelette.
To make scrambled eggs, the eggs are first scrambled, or beaten, with a whisk or fork to blend the egg white and yolk. Some salt and pepper or other seasoning is usually added and the mixture is then cooked. To make lighter, fluffier scrambled eggs, some milk, cream, soy milk or water is also added. Cheese is sometimes a popular ingredient. The eggs are finally cooked in or on a heat-transferring surface, such as a frying pan coated with melted butter, margarine, or cooking oil. Cooking experts generally recommend cooking the eggs over medium heat until the eggs are just set, and there is no runny liquid; this is to eliminate harmful microbes which otherwise could remain in undercooked eggs. The eggs continue to cook from internal heat after being removed from the heat source. A double boiler may be used if cooking at low heat is desired. High, quick heat produces a firmer mass of cooked egg.
Scrambled eggs may also be made in a microwave oven by placing the ingredients in a glass bowl and alternately cooking for 30 seconds and whisking until the desired consistency is achieved.
The eggs are not allowed to set undisturbed, as with an omelette or "sunnyside-up" (fried unturned). When the egg mixture starts to solidify, it is repeatedly scraped up with a spatula, lifted and folded over. This action introduces more air into the mixture and, along with the milk or cream, causes the eggs to acquire a fluffy, curd-like texture. The size and stiffness of the clumps varies with the frequency of the folding and length of cooking time. The eggs will become firmer the less often they are folded and the longer they are cooked.
Various health movements have led to the increased popularity of scrambled egg whites alone.
In Canada and the United States, scrambled eggs are common fare at diners and truck stops as well as family restaurants such as Perkins, Country Kitchen, etc.
When eaten for breakfast, scrambled eggs usually accompany toast, hash browns, pancakes, bacon or sausages. They may be seasoned with pepper and/or salt. Paprika and Old Bay are occasionally used. Popular condiments served with scrambled eggs are ketchup and hot sauce.
A "scramble" is scrambled eggs mixed with other food items, such as a "bacon-onion scramble" or a "lox-onion scramble".
Other Uses of the Term
- Scrambled eggs is also the nickname for the oak leaf embellishments on the peaks of dress hats worn by high ranking military officers, usually on U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard hats – the embellishments on U.S. Air Force hats, which has clouds and lightning bolts in place of oak leaves, are known as "farts and darts."
- The working title for the tune "Yesterday", by The Beatles was "Scrambled Eggs", before Paul McCartney came up with the current lyrics.