I love duck eggs! First of all, their yolks are much bigger than a regular chicken egg and everyone knows that the best part of any egg is the yolk. It’s where most of the flavor resides, not to mention a lion’s share of the nutrients and protein. The white part of a duck egg, or albumen to give it its correct name, is clear and bright, without the slight yellow tinge found in chicken eggs.
Varying in color depending on the breed, duck eggshells are a bit thicker and sturdier than chicken eggs. I suggest cracking them into a small bowl rather than straight into the ramekins to make sure you don’t get any hard shell in your dish.
Duck eggs can be challenging to find in normal US grocery stores but if you are fortunate enough to have farmers’ markets in your area, I’ve found them to be a reliable source. My local Whole Foods also carries duck eggs so if you have one nearby, you might want to check there. They are more expensive than chicken eggs, but still affordable as a main course for breakfast.
When I do come across them, baking is my favorite way to serve them. With just a little cream and butter, the delicious duck egg shines, definitely the star of your breakfast or brunch.
Baked Duck Eggs
This is an easy and delicious way to prepare breakfast for a crowd! If you don’t have duck eggs, chicken eggs can be substituted. Just adjust the cooking time downwards by a couple of minutes because smaller eggs will take less time to cook.Ingredients per person
1-2 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 duck egg
salt
black pepper
For serving:
Hot buttered toast
Equipment: 4-5 in or 10-12cm shallow ramekins
Method
Set a rack in the middle of your oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F or 190°C. Boil a kettle or pot of water then turn it off.
Generously butter the inside of the ramekins. Add in the cream with a pinch of salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Crack your eggs one at a time, into a small bowl, transferring each to a ramekin.
My second egg surprised me by having double yolks of different colors. How does that even happen?!
Sprinkle the eggs with just a touch more salt and pepper.
Place all the ramekins in a high-sided baking pan. Once the oven has preheated, put the pan in the oven and carefully pour in the hot water till it comes halfway up the ramekins.
Close the oven door and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the eggs are just set but the yolks are still runny. Start testing at 12 minutes by gently jiggling the pan. The whites should be firm but the yolks should wiggle slightly. If the yolks move too much, keep baking and testing.
This is a matter of preference and some may like their yolks softer or harder. For me, the joy is dipping my toast into a very soft yolk.
Carefully remove the pan from the oven and then remove the ramekins from the pan. Serve with toast for dipping.
Enjoy!
This month my Foodie Extravaganza friends are sharing breakfast recipes in celebration of National Breakfast Month. Check them out below. Many thanks to our host, Sue of Palatable Pastime.
- Baked Duck Eggs from Food Lust People Love
- Banana Pancakes from Palatable Pastime
- Changua (Colombian Egg and Milk Soup) from Tara's Multicultural Table
- Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Hot Breakfast: Baked Cinnamon & Apple Oatmeal from Hardly A Goddess
- Mushroom and Swiss Frittata from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Saffron Oats & Egg Omelette from Sneha's Recipe
- Sheepherder’s Breakfast from Making Miracles
Posting day is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board!
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