Which came first?
The chicken or the egg?
Oh, life’s great mysteries! One thing is certain – eggs are delicious and one of my favorite foods to eat. I suppose I am a bit nostalgic when it comes to eggs. When I quite a little girl, around three or four, I was known around the house for my ability to microwave (gasp!) “omelets” using store-bought eggs and an absurd amounts of dried spices. Looking back, it seems that I always had an affinity for the round, golden jewels – and an urge to cook – microwave oven, commercial eggs and all.
These days, I go outside to fetch eggs from our chickens. I cook the eggs, low and slow, on the stove. Preparing fresh eggs requires a touch of patience to reach silky, tender perfection. My children, Littlest Guy and Snu Magoo, like their eggs creamy and fluffy, with a touch of garlic, salt and pepper. No need for milk or cream; they prefer their scrambled eggs completely unadulterated.
Oh, the gorgeous, bright orange color of a fresh egg. Picasso in a pan! There is nothing quite like it the vibrant, rich shade of a “farm egg.”
Our eggs come from six chickens that live a happy, free-range life of leisure in our backyard. The three older chickens are called “The Mean Ladies.” They bite – especially the red-head; that girl has spunk! The three younger chickens are called “The New Ladies.” They are much friendlier.
We probably did a better job socializing The New Ladies than The Mean Ladies when they came to us as wee, little babes. I suppose raising chickens is a bit like parenting children – you make a few errors with the first ones and learn from your mistakes for the kids (or chickens!) that follow. Regardless, all of the chicken’s eggs are quite tasty – though The Mean Ladies defend their prized eggs with the vigor of a protective mother. Bite, bite, bite – peck, peck peck – at my feet!
I hope that you are able to find some gorgeous, fresh and free-range eggs (as Snu Magoo says: “Look, I found The Golden Egg(s)!”). If you do, maybe you’ll prepare the munchkins’ favorite scrambled eggs for you and your loved ones.
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Snu Magoo and Littlest Guy’s Silky Scrambled Eggs
All you need is a few eggs – and a bit of patience
Ingredients:
6 fresh eggs
2 tsp. extra virgin garlic-infused oil
1 tsp. unsalted butter
a few grinds of sea salt (Snu Magoo loves pink Himalayan sea salt)
generous amount of grinds of cracked white pepper
more salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation:
1.) In a small bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until well-combined. Mix in the salt and pepper.
2.) Place the butter and garlic oil in a frying or cast iron pan over low heat. Swirl the pan until they are melted. Add the eggs and cook over low heat until cooked through, stirring them with a spatula every minute or so.
3.) Resist the urge to turn up the heat and continue stirring for silky, creamy eggs. Preparation times vary; the eggs usually finish cooking in about twenty minutes. They are done when just slightly wet and not dry. Taste and re-season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Enjoy!
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©Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, shannaward.com (2013), unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author, Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, and/or owner is strictly and completely prohibited.
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Curls and carrots 
The scrambled eggs look so creamy and delicious! If there is one food item I can’t live without, it’s eggs! I am so jealous that you can get fresh, free-range eggs from your own backyard!
Thank you, Ada! I agree; eggs are soooo yummy – and versatile. From a thousand egg dishes, to aioli, to casseroles – eggs do it all. I am very lucky that my hubby (Farmer Greg) takes care of our chickens. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and reading the blog post!
Shanna–I read your stuff and I can’t help but smile. Absolutely delightful!
Thank you, Chef Janet! I appreciate you stopping by and am glad to share a smile anytime. 🙂
Just look at the color of those eggs in that pan! If they’re not perfect, nothing is. I get my fresh eggs at the farmers market, Shanna, and just love the color they bring to my pastas. (Mom taught me well.) My problem, though, is that the market closes in a couple weeks. I need to find another source — or some yellow food coloring. 🙂
Thank you, John! Your mom taught you well, indeed – eggs add so much to pasta. 🙂 You may want to look up the local farm and feed store where chickens and chicken feed is purchased. They often sell fresh eggs. Oh, it’s a sad time when the farmer’s market closes. Good luck!
I don’t care which came first. I’ll eat them at the same time 😉 🙂 Very nice pictures!
Thank you for the lovely compliments. A fellow egg-ophile! 🙂 I appreciate that you have stopped by!
I absolutely adore eggs also! Lovely recipe 🙂
Thank you so much! I also love eggs… A world without them would be a sad place. I appreciate your kind comment and that you have visited Curls and Carrots!
Very true!
🙂
I’m so impressed you guys are raising your own hens! They look like such happy chickens too (even if the mean ones nip 🙂 ) That’s really great to see!
Thank you, Melissa, for the kind words. We love our chickens, even though grouchy Mean Ladies. We are lucky – pretty much everywhere in New Mexico, city or rural, is zone for chickens. Not roosters, of course…
I love that you have chickens! A dream of mine…someday 🙂
If you ever have any questions about chickens, let me know. It has been great for our family! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a nice note!
Shanna–What a terrifically written post. There is something about reading about chicken that give me the giggles. Will you be wringing The “Mean Ladies” necks anytime soon?
Thank you, Chef Janet! I appreciate all of the compliments!
Oh, those MEAN Ladies. They bit Littlest Guy the other day, and I contemplated taking them down to the Valley (the region where they butcher chickens here) and having some fried chicken for dinner.
But their eggs taste too good. Alas, they will stay a part of the family…
I’m glad that you stopped by! 🙂
How lucky you are to have chicken and fresh eggs at your beckon call! (Can you even say that, beckon call?) 🙂
Oh, yes, I am quite fortunate. My thanks go to Farmer Greg! 😉
Per handy dictionary – beck and call:
Summons and control, in a position of servitude or as an attendant.
So you are right – I am indeed lucky to have the eggs at my beck and call. We often share with friends, as well – it’s nice to share the eggy love. 🙂
Hahahaha guess what when I was a kid I also microwaved eggs with tons of herbs! 🙂 Wow you have your own chickens! I love that! No wonder the munchkins have gorgeous eggs unadulterated. xx
Hi, Sofia – How interesting that you also did the same thing as a child! That is so neat. 🙂 Oh, yes, the munchkins adore the eggs, full of nutrients and with bright orange yolks. Take good care! Shanna xx