Eggs are so versatile and can be prepared in so many different ways - which requires that you have some essential tools in your kitchen to prepare them correctly.  I eat eggs almost every day for breakfast (at least when my chickens are laying!) And since the average American eats about 280 eggs a year, apparently I'm not alone.  I would say it's a safe guess that the majority of American families are sitting down to a breakfast of eggs more often than not. Fried, scrambled, poached, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, cooked into an omelet, or baked into a frittata or quiche, each method of ..read more

Don't worry. Those white ropy strands aren't an embryo, an imbilical cord or a sign that the egg has been fertilized. They're actually a sign of freshness. Contrary to popular belief, that white stringy thing floating in your egg isn't a baby chick’s umbilical cord. It’s not an embryo, either. It’s actually a sign that the egg is super fresh. What are These White Stringy Things in my Eggs? When you crack an egg into a bowl or your frying pan, you might have noticed opaque twisted strands floating in your egg white. They are called chalaza (plural is chalazae) and are nothing more than prote ..read more

Chickens and ducks are very different when it comes to feeding, housing and caring for them. Although we have been raising both chickens and ducks for almost 15 years, and they have been sharing a coop and run for the majority of that time, they are actually very different in so many ways.  While chickens and ducks can successfully live together in (relative) peace and harmony, it is important to understand all the ways that they differ in their dietary, living and other needs in order to provide them both optimal care. The difference between chickens and ducks will become apparent ver ..read more

Celebrate spring with fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese baked in fresh eggs. Frittatas are sort of like crustless quiches. I love how quick and easy they are to make - and they're delicious warm right from the oven or at room temperature. Unlike quiches, they're not technically baked, but instead briefly cooked on the stove top, then finished up under your broiler. And they're versatile. You can use any combination of meats, cheeses and vegetables in your frittatas, so they're a great way to clean out the fridge. This is my favorite frittata recipe. I look forward to each spring and havi ..read more

You won't even miss the carbs in this elegant twist on a traditional Eggs Benedict recipe. Flavorful asparagus provides the foundation for the fried egg, and then the whole thing is drizzled with decadent homemade Hollandaise sauce in this elegant Fried Egg with Asparagus and Hollandaise recipe.  We used to grow our own asparagus in Virginia, and for anyone who has tried, you know that it takes several years, along with a lot of patience and scrawny spears, before you’re finally able to harvest full-size asparagus!  We had almost gotten to that point in our garden when we packed ..read more

This hearty breakfast featuring eggs baked in squash rings is perfect when you have a busy day ahead and might not have time for lunch later. These baked eggs are such a fun way to use squash, and make a really hearty, if slightly unorthodox, breakfast! I am partial to butternut, but acorn or spaghetti squash would work equally as well.  Roasting the squash before adding the egg ensures that the squash is tender and slightly caramelized, while the egg is cooked to perfection in the center.  I love how the color of the egg yolks matches the butternut squash, so it's what I normally ..read more

Baking eggs in a bath of heavy cream yields richly decadent results. These baked eggs are so smooth and creamy, you'll find yourself making them again and again. They're addictive in their creaminess and also make for a beautiful presentation in the pan.  I leave the yolks runny, but if you're not a fan of a jammy eggs, bake the dish for another minute or two, until the yolks are cooked to your liking. Cheesy Baked Cream Eggs 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ¼ cup heavy cream 8 eggs 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon sliced scallion,  green parts only Kosher salt ..read more

Here's a Big Mac copycat recipe. Make it at home - but make it a pizza. I try to avoid eating fast food as much as possible, but who hasn't been on a road trip absolutely starving (or bored!), so you stop at McDonald's and grab a Big Mac.  I'll admit to that and so I definitely am familiar with the taste of a Big Mac burger with special sauce. Two All-Beef Patties, Special Sauce... Furthermore, who as a kid didn't sing the quintessential jingle, "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun..." (and yes, you're welcome for that ear worm that ..read more

Sprouting microgreens for your chickens provides them a nutritious treat they'll love - in just 5 days! Microgreens have become popular in human cuisine over the last few decades and with good reason. They add not only a pop of green on the plate and a bit of delicious crunch, they're also packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants. But they're not only for people. Your chickens will love them too! How (and Why) to Sprout Microgreens for your Chickens in 5 Days Microgreens are easy to sprout and will be ready to share with your flock in just 5 days (although "true" microgreens do require a bit ..read more

This variation on a traditional swirl bread has braided layers of cardamom, vanilla and sugar to sweeten it. If you've never had bread flavored with cardamom, you're in for a real treat! I love to substitute cardamom for recipes that call for cinnamon. I find the subtle flavor much more to my liking.  For this recipe, I started with a traditional, basic cinnamon raisin swirl bread recipe and subbed in cardamom for the cinnamon, added some vanilla bean paste, and ditched the raisins. Then just for fun, I decided to braid the dough before the final rise in the loaf pan. The result was a ..read more