>A while ago we raided the chicken. This week, we raid her eggs. We’re fortunate to have an acquaintance who raises chickens on a small farm and sells the eggs inexpensively. Husband comes home with a dozen whenever we need one or whenever this coworker has too many. The fresh organic eggs are delicious; they really do have a stronger flavor than the store-bought variety. And fresh? Sometimes we buy eggs the same day she gathers them. Deep sigh of contentment: these eggs are good.

Over easy, scrambled, omelets, Dutch Babies, French Toast, deviled eggs and more, all are good egg dishes. Those are almost too easy; how does the pantry raid fit in? I thought you’d never ask.

Taco-eggs. Scramble eggs, mix in leftover taco meat. Amigo likes his with hot sauce. I like mine with grated cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Coffee on the side, of course.

Hard-boiled eggs chopped and sprinkled over a salad. That’s for the humans, not for the rabbits in the family. I was tempted to hard boil a few of the farm eggs with green shells for Dr. Seuss Day at my school, but we’d used them for breakfast the day before. Now I can honestly say I’ve eaten green eggs and ham!

Fun with Omelets. Husband made omelets with thin-sliced andouille sausage, diced onions, green pepper, and grated cheddar for lunch on Saturday. I don’t know what else he added, though, because those were hot omelets! I’ve added leftover ham to an omelet, sandwich meat diced in small pieces, and all kinds of cheeses. They’re also good with chives, fried potatoes, and almost anything I can find in the fridge.

Then there are the options for adding an egg to an unrelated dish. Sometimes this adds to the taste, sometimes it stretches the meal to go a little farther. Meatloaf, superburgers, meatballs. Egg bread, biscuits, pancakes, pie crusts (whisk the egg white and spread it on top for a golden crust), dumplings; the list goes on and on.

Then there are the shells: compost them or crush and dry them to plant under the tomatoes to provide extra fertilizing power. You didn’t think I’d neglect that point, did you?

Add your ideas in the comments! I’d love to hear them.