1. Understanding Food Amy Brown
Chapter 13:
Eggs

2. Composition of Eggs
Just a few examples of how eggs are used in food preparation:
Structure
Thickening
Color
Emulsifying
Leavening
Binding
Coating
Glazing
Clarifying

3. Composition of Eggs The egg has five major components: Yolk
Albumen (egg white)
Shell membranes
Air cell
Shell

5. Composition of Eggs
Chalaza (pl. chalazae): The ropy, twisted strands of albumen that anchor the yolk to the center of the thick egg white.
Vitelline membrane: The membrane surrounding the egg yolk and attached to the chalazae.
Cuticle (bloom): A waxy coating on an eggshell that seals the pores from bacterial contamination and moisture loss.

6. Composition of Eggs

7. Purchasing Eggs Inspection
The Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970 requires that egg processing plants be inspected and that their eggs and egg products be:
Wholesome
Unadulterated
Truthfully labeled

8. Purchasing Eggs Grading
The best-quality eggs are graded USDA Grade AA, followed by USDA Grade A.
USDA Grade B, the lowest grade.

10. Purchasing Eggs
Candling: A method of determining egg quality based on observing eggs against a light.

11. Purchasing Eggs Haugh Units
The freshness of an egg can be detected by cracking it open onto a flat surface and looking at the height of its thick albumen.
Fresh egg whites sit up tall and firm, while older ones tend to spread out.

12. Purchasing Eggs Sizing is not related to grading in any way.
Eggs are sold in cartons by various sizes determined by a minimum weight for a dozen eggs in their shell.

13. Purchasing Eggs

15. Functions of Eggs in Foods
Eggs are often combined with other ingredients.
Their unique ability to:
Flavor
Color
Emulsify
Thicken
Bind
Foam
Interfere
Clarify
…makes them nearly indispensable in cooking.

17. Functions of Eggs in Foods
Clarify: To make or become clear or pure.

18. Preparation of Eggs
Eggs are extremely versatile and can be prepared alone or in combination with other foods.
Countless recipes that include eggs can be cooked by either dry- or moist-heat methods.

19. Preparation of Eggs Changes in Prepared Eggs
The key to cooking eggs is to keep the temperature low and/or the cooking time short.
Egg whites and yolks coagulate at different temperatures.

20. Preparation of Eggs
Dry-heat preparation of eggs primarily involves frying and baking.
Egg dishes that are commonly fried are fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and omelets.

21. Preparation of Eggs F I G U R E 1 3 - 9 Omelet preparation.
(a) With wire whisk, beat eggs with salt and water just until well mixed, but not too frothy.
(b) Slowly heat a 9-inch heavy skillet or omelet pan to medium heat. Temperature is correct when drops of cold water sizzle and roll off the pan’s surface. Add butter and heat until it sizzles but is not yet brown. Gently pour the egg mixture into the heated pan.

22. Preparation of Eggs F I G U R E 1 3 - 9 Omelet preparation continued.
(c) As egg mixture begins to set, use a spatula to push mixture back and allow unset egg to run onto pan’s surface.
(d) Continue loosening and tilting until omelet is almost dry on top and golden-brown underneath.

23. Preparation of Eggs F I G U R E 1 3 - 9 Omelet preparation continued.
(e) Add filling ingredients.
(f) Using spatula, fold omelet over itself. Tilt the pan and use the spatula to slide the omelet onto a plate.

24. Preparation of Eggs A soufflé is actually a modified omelet.
The main ingredients of a soufflé are a thick base generally made from a white sauce or pastry cream, an egg white foam, and flavoring ingredients
White sauce: A mixture of flour, milk, and usually fat.
Stiffly beaten egg whites are folded into the thick egg yolk mixture.
Figure 13-10

25. Preparation of Eggs Moist-Heat Preparation
Eggs can be prepared by moist heat using a variety of methods.
Most common among these are:
“Boiled” eggs
Coddled eggs prepared in a cup
Poached eggs
A variety of custards
Eggs that are prepared using the microwave
In all cases, eggs are cooked at simmering temperatures.

26. Preparation of Eggs Hard or Soft “Boiled” Hot-Start Method:
Soft: 3 to 4 minutes
Medium: 5 to 7 minutes
Hard: 12 to 15 minutes
Cold-Start Method:
Soft: 1 minute
Medium: 3 to 5 minutes
Hard: 10 minutes

28. Preparation of Eggs
Custards are mixtures of milk and/or cream, sweeteners (sugar, honey), flavorings (vanilla, nutmeg, etc.), and eggs or egg yolks.
Custards are distinguished by whether they are sweet or savory, and by their preparation method: stirred or baked.
Sweet custards are served as desserts in the form of puddings or as fillings.
Savory (nonsweet) custards are used for dishes such as quiches.
Stirred Custard (Soft Custard or Custard Sauce) ingredients are stirred while being heated.
Baked custard mixes are poured into ungreased custard cups that are placed in the oven.

29. Preparation of Eggs Microwaving
Eggs cook extremely rapidly in a microwave oven.
Special caution should be taken to avoid overcooking.
Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for microwave egg cooking.

30. Storage of Eggs
Eggs begin to deteriorate as soon as they are laid and lose quality very rapidly at room temperature.
An egg will age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.

31. Storage of Eggs
The size of an egg’s air cell provides another indication of its age.

32. Storage of Eggs
Restaurants, food service institutions, and other food manufacturers must be especially careful about storing eggs, because they purchase such large quantities.
Storage eggs, used by commercial food service establishments, are usually used within a month, but can be stored for up to six months
Storage eggs: Eggs that are treated with a light coat of oil or plastic and stored in high humidity at low refrigerator temperatures very close to the egg’s freezing point (29° to 32°F/ –1.5° to 0°C).

33. Storage of Eggs
Frozen
Freezing a whole egg is not possible because it will crack under the expanding liquids.
Food manufacturers solve this dilemma by breaking the eggs open at the processing plants where the contents are frozen
Whole (whites and yolk mixed together)
Separated as whites or yolks

35. Storage of Eggs Dried Drying eggs is a simple process.
Whole eggs or separated yolks are spray-dried to create a fine powder, which is mixed with anti-caking substances to prevent clumping.
Egg whites are dried in different ways to form granule, flake, or milled textures.
Once dried, eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a year, but they must be kept in tightly closed containers to prevent the clumping that can result from moisture accumulation.

37. Storage of Eggs Safety Tips
The chances of an egg being internally contaminated are relatively low, less than one in 10,000 commercial eggs.
It is more common for contamination to occur during handling and preparation after the egg has been removed from its shell.