EGGS, AGAIN!?!

From all of the posts I write about eggs, you would think that I cook them all of the time.  After all, here at Greetings From the Asylum I have made Deviled Eggs, Egg Salad, Cyclops Eggs, Baked Eggs, Steamed Eggs, and Hootenanny Pancakes with Eggs.  The only thing we haven't done is boil them.  So guess what, that's exactly what I'm going to do today.  I'm going to show you how to boil eggs - to make an omelette.  That's right, I said, OMELETTE!

This recipe uses a fancy French cooking technique called Sous vide.  The literal translation means "under vacuum" and in basic terms you seal the food to be cooked inside an airtight plastic bag and cook it in heated water for an extended period of time.  For accomplished chefs of both the professional and home varieties, you can purchase a fancy-dancy machine that will make duck confit that will make your heart melt (or so I've heard).  Then there is the vacuum sealer that no one should be without.  But hey, that is only if you have an extra $1000 lying around.  There are less expensive options out there, but I'm going to show you a Sous vide method that you can accomplish with common tools you probably already have in your kitchen.

Let's begin, shall we...

Begin by breaking three eggs into a Heavy-duty quart-sized freezer bag like THESE.  (DO NOT use thinner sandwich bags.  That would be a disaster!)  Crack the eggs straight in, don't worry about mixing them.  That will come later.  Then add your favorite fillings and a dash of salt and pepper.  You really can't go wrong.  Just add what you like.  Everyone chooses their own fillings so everyone gets a perfect meal.  

Add your favorite fillings.  This is what I could find in my fridge.  Sorry about the nearly empty egg carton.

Once you have added what you want, squeeze as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it and shake, Shake, SHAKE!  This is the perfect job for little helpers.  Just make sure you have a good seal or you will find yourself with a very messy child and/or kitchen!

Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal.

I made the omelettes for my children with only two eggs.  First, I didn't have enough eggs for three, and they are little and wouldn't eat three anyway so there is no use wasting.  

Here is my son shaking his dinner.

Here is my daughter shaking hers.

BOIL for exactly 13 minutes.  You can cook as many as will fit in your pot at one time - such an improvement over cooking one omelette at a time.  Also, think of how great this recipe would be for camping.  It is such a mess-free recipe.  If you're careful you won't even have a pot to wash!

These omelettes can all cook at the same time so everyone eats at the same time. 

 The air inside the bags will expand while in the water bath.  This is why it is so important to remove as much air as possible before placing the bags in the boiling water.

The bags will puff out while in the water bath.

Once your timer rings, remove the bags from the boiling water.  USE TONGS!!!  The bags will be hot even at the tops that were not in the boiling water.  (After all, heat rises!)

Here is a finished adult omelette.

Here is a finished kid's omelette.

 Open the bags and pour the cooked eggs onto plates and serve immediately.  I served mine with toasted English Muffins, and vegetable sticks, milk and juice.  I was drinking my homemade  lemonade in a Jimmy John's cup.  (Use the time while the eggs are boiling to prep the rest of your meal.)  It looks like a great breakfast, but for us, it was dinner.  It really doesn't matter when you cook these omelettes, they are delicious anytime!

My vegetable side dish.  It is perfect for a hot summer day!

Why, yes,  I will have some English muffin with my butter.  Thank you for asking.

Let's review...Cooking your omelettes by boiling them (Sous vide) is great because there is no mess, everyone can choose how to dress up their own eggs, and everyone's meal is ready at the same time!  What's not to love about that?  Plus, no flipping!  Just think of all of the possibilities.  These eggs are perfect for a lazy morning brunch, a sunrise picnic, great for a fast breakfast around a campfire, or even dinner on a busy night.  What's not to love?  Try it today!