by Anne Finch, Accredited Practising Dietitian for LiveLighter

shashuka

There have been Easter eggs at the shops since before Christmas – is it a new record? We’ve got no issue with celebratory foods, but it’s worth pointing out that what used to be a special treat, eagerly anticipated, is becoming part of the everyday diet.

If you've already had your fill of chocolate eggs, why not try something different this Easter? We’re singing the praises of the humble egg and featuring some of our favourite egg recipes. Team one of these dishes with a vigorous egg hunt for a happy and healthy long weekend.

Five benefits of eggs to shell-ebrate

1. They're versatile

No need to scramble... if you’ve got eggs in the house, you've got a meal. Not only can eggs be used as a toast topper, they’re also the star ingredient in quiches, frittatas and omelettes. Check out our back to basics guides on how to cook perfectly poached eggs, creamy scrambled eggs and boiled eggs just the way you like them. Different yolks for different folks! If you’re looking to up your breggfast game, try our shakshuka, a hearty Moroccan dish featuring pan-baked eggs (pictured above).

eggs prepared in different ways

2. They're filling

Eggs are an egg-cellent source of protein which helps give us that feeling of fullness and satisfaction after a meal. Adding eggs to your morning toast will keep you feeling fuller for longer, and including egg in a salad makes a tasty and satiating lunch that will see you through the afternoon.

3. They're cheep-cheep

Meat and fish are great sources of protein, but can be egg-spensive when feeding a family. Eggs are a great way to add a serve of protein to a meal if you're on a budget. Pro-tip: look into getting a couple of chooks if you’ve got room in the backyard. They'll eat up some of your kitchen scraps and give you beautiful fresh eggs in return!

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4. They're not meat

For our wallet, health and the environment, most Australians could do with eating a bit less meat. If you’re not ready to go full herbivore, egg-sploring some egg dishes is a great way to start. Eggs are high in protein, low in fat, have a good shelf-life and can replace meat in a range of dishes, including stirfries, sandwiches and pies (a quiche is pretty much an egg pie, right?)

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5. They're kid-friendly

A soft-boiled egg with toast dippers is both fun and food, and scrambled eggs are an easy recipe to teach older kids to make a meal independently. If you’re (c)lucky you might even get brekkie in bed! Frittata made in a mini-muffin tin makes a nutritious finger food for toddlers and is perfect packed in lunchboxes. Peeled hard boiled eggs are also great for lunchboxes (for school and work!).

pumpkin frittata