Easy Peel Hard Boiled Farm Fresh Eggs

My parents have a chicken coop with about 30 hens.  They roam free on an acre lot, eat bugs and worms, roll in the dirt, and lay beautiful eggs.  These are some happy ladies.

If you've ever boiled farm fresh eggs, you know the egg white sticks to the shell and you loose half the egg.  I've heard the older the egg, the easier to peel, but I want a fresh egg.

Well, baking soda is the key ingredient to having an easy peel fresh egg.   FineCooking.com says the baking soda helps the albumin in the egg white stick to itself rather than the shell.

You will need:
1 large pot

1 teaspoon baking soda

farm fresh eggs

6 cups cold water

Gather and clean your eggs.  

Add water, baking soda, and eggs to your pot.  Be careful with the eggs.

Turn the stove on medium heat to slowly heat the water until it starts to boil.  I've learned the hard way with cracked eggs by heating the water too fast.

Cover with a lid, turn the heat to low, and let sit for 20 minutes. 

Rinse the eggs off with cold water to speed the cooling process. 

Make sure the eggs are cool enough to peel.  Smack the wide end of the egg on the counter or hard surface to start the peeling process.  An air bubble forms in this area, creating a little pocket.  This pocket is an easy place to start peeling. 

Notice the egg white doesn't stick to the shell! 

Wahoo!  We did it!

 I like to eat the egg white with salt.    

 
Support your local farmers or raise your own chickens.  Make sure the chickens are cage-free and happy.  Happy chickens produce happy eggs.  
Check out these three blog posts about local food:
Farmers Market Libations, Garlic and Wild Flowers.html
Farmers Market Beet Fries.html
Support The Local Food Movement.html

Cherry Chocolate Oatmeal (easy and vegan)

This quick, healthy oatmeal is perfect for breakfast any day of the week.

Oatmeal reminds me of my dad and going out to breakfast before one of his crazy far runs or bike rides.  He would always get oatmeal.  He says it sticks to your ribs, giving you energy for hours to come.  I have oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast now.  It keeps me full and keeps me on track with my weight.

If you want to make this delicious oatmeal, 

you will need:

• 1/2 cup slow oats (you can use quick oats, but they seem to be mushy once cooked)
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup soy, almond, coconut, or rice milk  (I use soy since it has more protein than the other milks)
• 1/8 cup dried cherries  (I got my dried cherries from Costco)
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (I use Trader Joe's Brand)
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon or more of maple syrup to add some sweetness
• 1/8 cup of pecans for crunch

Add one cup of water to a small pot and bring to a boil.  

Add 1/2 cup oats, cocoa powder, and cherries.  Turn the stove to low and let the oats cook for about 5 minutes.  The cherries will plump up and the cocoa powder will cook into the oats and cherries during this time.  

Take the oatmeal off the heat and add the maple syrup, soy milk (if desired), a pinch of salt, and pecans.  Stir and pour the oatmeal into a bowl.   

Let cool and devour.  

 Cherry chocolates have always been a favorite goodie.  

Now I get to eat it for breakfast! 

See more of my oatmeal and breakfast recipes:

Spiced Oatmeal

Potato pancakes

 Also, check out The Oatmeal for a good laugh.