3 Creative Ways to Cook Eggs

For many people, the best ways to prepare eggs is either to boil or scramble them. Although you can still get delicious eggs by employing the boiling or scrambling method, the truth is that there are multiple creative methods that can help you cook delicious eggs. If you love exploring different cooking techniques, then this post is for you.

1. Grill your Eggs

Top on our list for cooking delicious eggs is cooking them on the grill. Before you fire up that grill and get ready for an exciting grilling adventure, it is important to start by check whether your eggs are in a good condition. Fortunately, there are multiple ways on how to tell if the egg is rotten.

Once you are certain about the condition of the egg,  the following simple method to grill eggs will provide you with a delicious meal:

1. Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
2. Choose Your Approach:
   • Direct Grilling: For a quicker method, crack the eggs directly onto the grill. Be cautious as the whites may spread; using a non-stick griddle or aluminum foil can help contain them.
   • Indirect Grilling: Alternatively, if you prefer a neater result, use a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe pan. Place it on the grill and crack the eggs into the skillet.
3. Control the Heat: If using direct heat, ensure it’s not too high to avoid burning the eggs. For indirect heat, close the grill lid to allow even cooking.
4. Add Flavor: Season the eggs with salt, pepper, or any desired herbs or spices. You can also brush a little oil or butter around the edges for added flavor.
5. Cook to Your Preference: Grill the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks reach your desired consistency. This can take around 5-7 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill and how you like your eggs.
6. Serve: Carefully remove the eggs from the grill using a spatula. Serve them directly from the grill, perhaps with some grilled toast or vegetables for a delicious and unique meal.

2. Smoke the Eggs

Smoking eggs can infuse them with a delightful smoky flavor. Here’s a simple guide to smoking eggs:

1. Preparation: Start by hard-boiling the eggs. Place them in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil, then cover and let them simmer for about 10-12 minutes. Once done, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and cool them quickly.
2. Peeling: Peel the cooled hard-boiled eggs carefully, ensuring the shells are removed without damaging the egg whites.
3. Set Up the Smoker: Preheat your smoker to a low temperature, ideally around 225°F (107°C). Use wood chips or chunks that complement the flavor you desire—options like hickory, applewood, or mesquite work well for smoking eggs.
4. Smoking Process:
   • Place the peeled eggs directly on the smoker grate or in a smoker-safe pan.
   • Let the eggs smoke at the low temperature for about 30-45 minutes to absorb the smoky flavor. The longer they stay in the smoker, the more pronounced the smokiness will be.
5. Check for Desired Smokiness: After the initial smoking time, check the eggs for the desired level of smokiness. If they have absorbed enough flavor for your taste, remove them from the smoker.
6. Cooling and Storing: Once smoked to your liking, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool down and stop the cooking process. Pat them dry with paper towels before storing them in the refrigerator.
7. Enjoy: Smoked eggs can be served as they are, added to salads, used for deviled eggs, or enjoyed as a flavorful snack.

3. Cambodian Grilled Eggs

Cambodian grilled eggs, known as “pong tia koon,” are a tasty and straightforward dish to prepare. Here’s a traditional recipe:

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Salt
• White pepper (optional)
• Banana leaves or aluminum foil (if using an oven)

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Hard-boil the eggs as you normally would by placing them in a pot of water, bringing it to a boil, then simmering for about 10-12 minutes. Once done, cool them in an ice bath and peel off the shells.
2. Seasoning: Lightly sprinkle the peeled eggs with salt and white pepper if desired. This step is optional, and you can adjust the seasoning to your taste.
3. Grilling: If using a grill:
   • Heat your grill to medium heat.
   • Place the seasoned eggs directly on the grill grate.
   • Grill the eggs, turning occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes or until they develop a light golden-brown char. This step infuses a smoky flavor and creates a slightly crispy exterior.
4. If Using an Oven or Stovetop: If a grill isn’t available, you can recreate a similar effect using an oven or stovetop.
   • Wrap the eggs individually in banana leaves or aluminum foil to simulate grilling.
   • Place the wrapped eggs in a preheated oven at around 350°F (175°C) or in a pan on medium heat.
   • Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until they achieve a similar golden-brown char.
5. Serve: Once grilled or heated through, remove the eggs from the grill, oven, or stovetop. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

3. Eggs In A (Veggie Hole)

Ingredients

• Bread slices (thick slices work best)
• Eggs
• Assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, etc.)
• Butter or oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: grated cheese, fresh herbs, avocado slices for topping

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Chop or dice your chosen vegetables into small pieces. You can use a combination of veggies or stick to one type for simplicity.
2. Make the Veggie Hole: Use a cookie cutter, small glass, or even just a knife to cut a hole in the center of each bread slice. Keep the cutout piece aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In a skillet, heat a bit of butter or oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables to the pan and sauté them until they’re slightly softened. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
4. Cooking the Bread: Place the bread slices in the same skillet. Toast one side for a minute or two until it’s lightly golden brown.
5. Add the Vegetables: Flip the bread slices over and distribute the sautéed vegetables evenly over the toasted side of each slice.
6. Crack an Egg: Carefully crack an egg into the hole you made in each bread slice. Season the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Cover and Cook: Cover the skillet with a lid and let the eggs cook. Cook for around 3-5 minutes, depending on how runny or firm you prefer the yolks. If you like your yolks runny, check them at around 3 minutes.
8. Serve: Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, carefully transfer each slice to a plate. Optionally, sprinkle some grated cheese or fresh herbs on top, and serve with avocado slices or any other preferred toppings.

Also read>> How to Make Grilled Asparagus in Foil: [STEP BY STEP GUIDE]

FAQs

How to make scrambled eggs on the grill?

Prepare scrambled eggs on the grill by preheating it to medium heat. In a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe pan, melt butter or oil. Beat eggs with a touch of milk, salt, and pepper.

Pour the mixture into the heated skillet. Using a heat-safe spatula, gently stir the eggs as they cook.

Keep the skillet on the grill, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are creamy and cooked to your desired consistency, usually around 5-7 minutes.

Serve the smoky, grilled scrambled eggs hot and garnish with herbs or cheese for added flavor. Remember, grill temperatures may vary, so keep an eye on the eggs while cooking.

Can you fry eggs in a grill pan?

Yes, you can fry eggs in a grill pan. Preheat the grill pan on medium heat, add oil or butter, crack eggs onto the pan, season, and cook until the whites are set. Adjust heat for desired yolk consistency. A grill pan adds a unique touch and flavor to fried eggs.

How do you cook an egg in coals?

To cook an egg in hot coals, ensure the coals are glowing and spread evenly. Use tongs to make a small indentation in the coals. Place the egg directly into the indentation or wrap it in aluminum foil.

Cook for about 5-10 minutes, depending on desired doneness. For a runny yolk, aim for shorter cooking times.

Retrieve the egg with tongs or a heat-resistant glove, then carefully brush off any ash or debris. Crack it open and enjoy! It’s a rustic method that imparts a smoky flavor. Be cautious handling hot coals and use heat-resistant tools to avoid burns.