Over the years I have amassed a sizeable collection of cookbooks of all kinds: large and small, for special occasions, for everyday use, haute cuisine, patisserie, oven-baked recipes, Mediterranean salads, homemade cakes, chocolate… I even own one that I hold especially dear, chronicling Dalí’s culinary tastes through recipes, letters and anecdotes.
Undoubtedly, the first thing that catches the eye with this kind of book is the photography, which confirms the old adage that food is eaten with the eyes; yet for a book to become indispensable rather than merely decorative, it must also offer easy-to-apply tips that can solve everyday cooking challenges, such as those Ferran Adrià shares in The Family Meal (RBA), a book you’ll love if you’re drawn to the world of El Bulli.
The trick for telling whether an egg is fresh
There are cooking tips that are worth their weight in gold, such as those offered by the Catalan chef to prepare a sofrito that will serve as the base for many recipes, to make excellent chips as a side dish, or to know whether a fish is fresh.
Where fish is concerned, the mystery can be solved by inspecting its eyes, skin and scent; but knowing if an egg is fresh is much simpler. Take note, because as Ferran Adrià explains in his book: “To check if an egg is fresh, dip it in water. If it remains on the bottom of the container in a horizontal position, it is fresh. If its thicker end rises, it is not as fresh and the higher it rises, the less fresh it is. If it floats, it’s best to discard it.” Did you know that?
Recipes to make the most of fresh eggs
Now that you’re clear on how to check an egg’s freshness, it’s time to put it to good use and reap the benefits of its protein and other properties. How? Through delightful recipes such as those that follow.
- Egg-based dinners are one of the best ways to round off the day. The walnut and mushroom soufflé and the little tomato pots are among the tastiest (and easiest).
- If you’re after ideas for different omelettes for a protein-packed, light meal, try aubergine, courgette and tomato omelettes. Slice the vegetables into thin rounds for a better result.
- The opened artichoke omelette with feta cheese and pumpkin seeds is another idea worth keeping on hand for when you want a nice dinner but lack inspiration. And it’s ready in 10 minutes.
- Turkish eggs are another easy recipe that solves dinner in the best possible way. And there are also tuna-stuffed eggs, pure protein too.
- Fancy something sweet? Give the protein flan a whirl—it takes just 3 minutes, a delicious dessert to enjoy whenever you fancy.
