How to stretch eggs

[DLgal]

Interesting you say this, I get vicious migraines from nearly all apples now, although it's less frequent during summer months so maybe what comes from the US is different. This didn't happen when I was young so I suspect they are either being treated with something different, were GMO or there is something else new I don't know about. I'll have it in apple pie around the holidays and brace myself for the migraines but otherwise avoid them.

It's very common to simply develop food intolerances/allergies as you get older. It doesn't mean there is anything different about the foods. It's just your body not liking it anymore.

 

[tvguy]

Now though, a dozen eggs where I am is now more expensive than many meats per pound so while it's a good way to mix it up not sure it's cheaper in any way other than it's controlled portions so in that sense it can be stretched to 12 portions more easily.

California is basically one big hen house so while there are empty slots of some brands of eggs, the stores seem to have them.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Stores today had some eggs, not a lot but some. I usually prefer cage free but accepted outdoor access since maybe the industry needs to catch up to the laws, maybe this is creating a strain with the timing of both issues at once? It's possible people are wiping the eggs out while restocking their homes so a blip might continue for a bit. Butter was very low but maybe this is from people using so much during the holidays, which is strange since this never happened in years past.

While shopping I wondered, those of you who have had no disruptions in supply, does your state not press the cage free issue?

 

[soccerdad72]

While shopping I wondered, those of you who have had no disruptions in supply, does your state not press the cage free issue?

I believe it's state-by-state right now. I found this online:

https://www.nelliesfreerange.com/blog/mapping-the-transition-to-cage-free-eggs-state-by-state

 

[DLgal]

California is basically one big hen house so while there are empty slots of some brands of eggs, the stores seem to have them.

Just went to Albertson's and no shortage, but cheapest available was $6.49/dozen. Ugh. I'll stick with Trader Joe's.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Heard about this today & feeling very lucky I don't live in Hawaii. What the what - how can taco night cost $50-120?
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/...ock-isle-grocers-even-with-inflation-cooling/

Still gonna stretch the eggs I found today in case they aren't around next week

 

[MICKIMINI]

I have to go to Market Basket to get cage free *medium* size eggs for $3.50 a dozen where white eggs are 6.99 dozen. I don't do much baking so I haven't noticed a difference. Prices are ridiculous as a year ago they were .99 dozen in our area.

 

[Ursula J]

Around here, even at Walmart we can't get a dozen for under 5.00! We're using this for baking and cooking when eggs are used for consistency. https://a.co/d/fgbP9aY Can't say we've figured out a sub for regular old scrambled eggs--just not eating those much right now.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Around here, even at Walmart we can't get a dozen for under 5.00! We're using this for baking and cooking when eggs are used for consistency. https://a.co/d/fgbP9aY Can't say we've figured out a sub for regular old scrambled eggs--just not eating those much right now.

It's good you found something that works for your family but I'm not going to try any substitute bags of chemicals. I'll do without and completely change what and how we eat if I can't find eggs but until then I'll just figure out recipes that use less of them.

 

[LuvOrlando]

A really nice way to make a substantial disn with less eggs is to make a savory rice pie which is eaten like a quiche or frittata. I'll cook enough rice for a brownie size pan, mix some eggs (maybe 4) with some parmesan, milk & ricotta, salt pepper and some veggies like zucchini and then oil the bottom with a bread crumb dusting then bake it until it's crispy on top. Used to love this when growing up.

 

[jo-jo]

Well I bought 6 dozen eggs from bjs today, since grandkids are visiting. $24. Year or two ago, aldi’s would have less than $6.

 

[longboard55]

eggs seem like they have been massively underpriced in the past, doubt we will see those prices again. Even at $6 a dozen we are talking 50 cents an egg, that is a lot of work for 50 cents

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Getting back to recipes that stretch eggs, yesterday and Sunday I made brunch with a nice plate of Shakshouka with one egg on top that poaches in the sauce with pita bread and it was lovely.

Love Shakshouka -- great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! We also do Chilaquiles (PW's recipe https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/chilaquiles-7473230 -- but there are lots of other recipes for this online) to stretch eggs for a meal. We use fresh tortilla chips (great way to use up a half bag so I don't munch through it all) and throw in leftover veggies, too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I posted this on a different thread but I’ll post it here too.
It was a segment on CBS Evening News the other night about the egg shortage.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/what-is-causing-egg-prices-to-skyrocket/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don‘t really know how to stretch eggs. We use a lot. We keep hard boiled eggs on hand to grab and go and love to cook breakfasts. But my MIL never wasted anything and used to make this to use things up. Really good. Not sure what it’s called.

Just spray a baking pan with Pam then put anything in there you want to clean out of the fridge (vegetables, ham, etc.). Scramble some eggs, pour it over, and bake. Add some cheese to the top a few minutes before done. Really good, and filling. Also a relatively healthy snack.

 

[RangerPooh]

We built a chicken coop over the summer and bought chicks. So far, I’m paying about $500 per dozen eggs. I should break even in 5 years

We started our flock spring of 2020, gave/sold off a bunch winter 2021 when we moved. We are now down to 4 hens, and are considering getting a few chicks. Costly at first, but with the current prices, it may pay off quicker

While I rarely eat eggs (intolerance), my boys and mom eat them a lot. Plus we were the neighborhood supplier, lol. Heck, my co-workers asked two weeks ago if we had any extras to sell.

 

[tzolkin]

We built a chicken coop over the summer and bought chicks. So far, I’m paying about $500 per dozen eggs. I should break even in 5 years

We did the same last year. That's why I always laugh when people say that eggs are "free" if you have chickens. Sure, the eggs are free, but the chickens are fairly expensive pets that you have to care for to receive the free eggs. Just like dairy and meat are not really free when you add up the expense of raising the animals that produce them.

 

[DLgal]

The best way to stretch eggs, since that's the topic here is to make French toast. You can make a lot of French toast with a dozen eggs.

 

[mrodgers]

We did the same last year. That's why I always laugh when people say that eggs are "free" if you have chickens. Sure, the eggs are free, but the chickens are fairly expensive pets that you have to care for to receive the free eggs. Just like dairy and meat are not really free when you add up the expense of raising the animals that produce them.

Built the coop out of scrap wood. After that, about half a dozen eggs daily for $5 of feed every 3 weeks. Costs hardly anything. I don't know what everyone is doing to their chickens that cost so much.

 

[tzolkin]

Built the coop out of scrap wood. After that, about half a dozen eggs daily for $5 of feed every 3 weeks. Costs hardly anything. I don't know what everyone is doing to their chickens that cost so much.

I know you always think that your situation is universal, but....
Considering the previous poster gave the estimate of $500 per dozen, I'm assuming they spent well over $500 for the lumber for the coop. Not everyone has scrap wood lying around to build a functional coop. A 2x4 is like $6 now so it can be pricey if you have to purchase all the supplies. You may also need fencing or netting depending on where you live to keep them enclosed. You may need heat or light in the winter.

Around here feed costs way more than $5. And there's also the expense of bedding. Plus, chickens only lay for a limited time, so they have to be replaced regularly so that's an additional expense.

Here's an article that lays out the average costs. They estimate that it would cost between$1.34 and $3.55 to produce each dozen. (The prices used for calculating are from March of 2020, and we all know prices of nearly everything have increased since then.) https://practicalselfreliance.com/chicken-cost/