Eggs are one of those foods that got a very bad rap during the low-fat era, poor things. The yolk, especially, was banished from virtuous plates and in its stead appeared cartons of clear goo; essentially eggless eggs. Such a pity. As with many of the dietary mandates from that period, much of what we shunned eggs for–they’ll make us fat, they’ll clog our arteries–turned out to be a bunch of hooey.
Here’s what is true. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients. And guess where all that good stuff is found? That’s right, the yolk. The part we’ve been leaving out. Eggs won’t make you fat either; one large egg has just 75 calories, about the same as a small apple.
But perhaps the biggest shame of having relegated eggs to the no-no list is that we’ve deprived ourselves of so much pleasure. I cite a freshly-laid egg fried in extra virgin olive oil as my first major food epiphany–yes, it was THAT good. Egg pasta made with super-fresh eggs is an absolute revelation; golden-hued with the texture of silk. And a yolk added to a dressing (think Caesar) or a pasta sauce (like carbonara) adds unparalleled lusciousness.
So when you’re dyeing your eggs this week leave a few for the plate as well . . . all the better if you can talk a friend or a farmer into sharing a few fresh ones with you!