CONCEPT 18: FAT MAKES EGGS TENDER Flashcards
Describe the perfectly cooked eggs texture.
Tender and soft.
Cooking causes egg proteins to do what?
Denature (unfold) and form a latticed gel.
Are cooked eggs a solid or semisolid?
Semisolid
What explains how eggs thicken custards, puddings and sauces?
Coagulation
Distinct elements of an egg.
Whites and yolks.
Whites represent how much of the eggs total volume?
2/3
% of water, protein and other elements in egg whites.
88% water, 11% protein and 1% minerals and carbohydrates.
% of fat and related elements in yolk.
34%
% of water in a yolk.
50%
% of protein in egg yolk.
16%
What happens to water in eggs when heated?
Turns to steam.
Are the heated proteins of egg able to hold water?
Yes, this helps makes them tender and fluffy.
What happens to moisture when you overcooked eggs?
The latticed network of proteins form very tight bonds that squeeze out too much liquid.
Why do most scrambled egg recipes call for dairy? What does it do?
Fat in milk coats proteins and slows down the coagulation process.
Is the dairy only used for fat?
No, water in the dairy provides additional moisture.
How does the moisture from dairy help create a lighter, more tender egg?
Additional moisture also means more steam, which translates into fluffier scrambled eggs.
While scrambled eggs should be more fluffy, an omelet should be…
More compact.
Should milk be used to make better omelets? Why?
No, adding dairy means extra liquid that prolongs cooking time and toughens omelet.
What should be used in place of milk for an omelet? Why?
Small cubes of butter contain lots of fat and very little liquid.
Why is frozen butter better than room temp?
It disperses more evenly throughout the egg while cooking.
Describe uncooked egg proteins in a word.
Globular
TEST KITCHEN: OMELET COOKED WITH BUTTER AND WITHOUT.
Buttered omelets were crushed by a 2-pound sinker while no butter held their structure.
Should you salt eggs before or after scrambling? Why?
Adding salt affects the electrical charge on protein molecules in eggs, reducing tendency of the proteins to bond with each other. A weaker protein network means eggs are less likely to over coagulate.
Does adding salt an hour before cooking make eggs taste better?
Test kitchen stated, “they were nearly identical to eggs salted just before cooking.”
How did eggs salted after cooking taste?
Firm and rubbery.
Dairy to egg ratio.
1 tbsp per 2 eggs.
Half-and-half substitute
2 tsp whole milk to 1 tsp heavy cream.
Is whipping eggs before cooking?
No, over-beating causes premature coagulation of egg proteins and will turn out tough. It also invites unwanted air bubbles to the party; could cause uneven cooking.
Best way to beat scrambled eggs?
Lightly with a fork until large bubbles form.
What is weeping?
The layer of moisture that sometimes forms between a meringue and a pie filling.
What % of half-and-half is water?
80%
How does the water in HNH help eggs?
It interrupts the protein network and dilutes the molecules, thereby raising the temperature at which eggs coagulate; provides a safety net for over-cooking. Also adds lift as it evaporates (just like in bread).
Why do you add extra egg yolk?
Boost egg flavor and minimize dairy tones.