When I picked eggs as a theme for my IMBB hosting jaunt I did it for a few reasons: eggs are one of my favorite things to eat, they are a most versatile ingredient for sweet or savory dishes and beverages, present in most every cuisine around the world and pretty popular every where.
By focusing the event into such a basic and unifying single ingredient I figured not only it would afford the chance for many people to participate—the usual suspects and perhaps even a few newbies who, for whatever reason, had not taken part in previous events.
The response to this extravaganza surprised even me. (Next time I'm choosing Durian, ha ha!) Dozens and dozens of eggs were cracked, scrambled, fried, tossed, cooked, poached, boiled, steamed, served raw, whipped, baked--and even roasted-- all over the world. Many participants even cooked multiple dishes.
From New York to Los Angeles, London to Kuala Lumpur, Australia to Canada, exciting entries were emailed one after the other until there were a total of 81 excellent submissions to this IMBB #16. Eighty-one! I am tickled pink with the amazing turnout.
Which brings me to the following caveat: when I agreed to Alberto's plea of an early hosting (he was in a jam) I knew the round-up would not be as fast coming as the usual kind. After all I was neck high in work and paperwork, would miss the Seattle blogger's meet-up (yet again!) and had already booked a flight to Burbank for a 4th for July holiday in LA. As of last night I'm back home in Seattle.
This should explain, at least in part, why the round-up has taken this long and will be posted in two installments--until I get all 80+ entries included. My apologies. :-( So, without further ado, let’s get cracking--albeit just some of the eggs:
1- From Selangor, Malaysia AC's (notions of aC ) first entry (who was introduced to this event by Babe_KL), a dish from his maternal grandmother: Grandma's Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg dish)
2- From Singapore, EatzyCath (eatzybitzy) who is a new blogger and also participating for the first time in an IMBB event, really loved the theme, a perennial favorite of all, except maybe vegetarians she says. Her entry: a beautiful Frutti-Frittata. Many, many happy blogging hours to you too Eatzy!
3- Babe_KL (Babe in the City) writes : "I'm staying in Kuala Lumpur where I can find delicious food 24 hours a day! Amazing yah? Yes, do come by Kuala Lumpur then to experience Malaysia's gastronomical fare!" After reading her Luk Mei Tong Shui which literally translated as Six Types (of ingredients) I too want to travel there!
4- From the UK, Mel, the Laughing Snail at (Hecticium) also thought eggs were a fabulous topic to pick, so here is a link to her very own Fennel Fiesta (Fennel and chocolate chip ice cream and Fennel and Tarragon ripple ice cream). Yum, yum!
5- Also from Singapore, Aun, aka Chubby Hubby made a beautiful dish of (Mentaiko-Tobiko Pasta) that utilizes cod roe. Lovely, lovely! Thanks Aun!
6- Representing Spokane, Washington (yay!) Jennifer of (Taste Everything Once) who has "never craved eggs" made a lovely pot of (Chicken Avgolemono Soup). She managed to take a sip and while declaring the soup "probably delicious" she admits it is still not her bag.
7-From southern Maine, Stephen of (What's for Dinner?), recovering architect, maker of photo-based art, marketing consultant and amateur cook developed this (Eggs Florentine Brunch Pizza ) recipe that looks absolutely divine. Take a look at this blog. His photography and recipes are lovely!
8-Our neighbor to the north (London Ontario, Canada) Christine of I like to do stuff.... likes cooking, baking, kitties and kvetching. She also has been looking forward to seeing all the eggs sent in. She made Poached eggs over mushrooms and toast. Christine served them with a little salad and they look as good as can be.
9- Ausie Niki of Esurientes sent her entry on a cold, wet, wintery Melbourne Friday evening. Her Son-in-law eggs, also known in her words as the only time I will ever deep fry a boiled egg. She--cheekily--adds that they are great for the heart, you know! and recommends them as a hangover remedy.
10- From the UK Celia (a Filipina living in the UK, that dreams of cooking for a living) of English Patis: a lovely--albeit quite rich-- dish of Braised Quail Eggs with Mushrooms. Thanks Celia!
11- From California, Sylvie of Soul Fusion Kitchen went back to basics, with a twist: she whipped up some Crabmeat Deviled Eggs. Nice!
12- Yet another first from Canada: Jen at Roast Chicken Reasoning is not only from Vancouver B.C but also a graduate of Stratford Chefs School in Stratford, Ontario. How cool is that?! A woman after my own heart, she made Oeufs en Meurette which happen to be one of my desert island dishes. For someone who
13-From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mika of The Green Jackfruit (a journal of her culinary mistakes (and some successes) in her efforts towards becoming a gourmand) came up with Eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and everything in between): Italian Egg Sandwich, Pasta Carbonara (Tyler Florence's and not Batali's) and Coconut crepes with coconut-cardamom filling. If that's not an egg feast I do not know what is.
14- From the UK, again, JD at Cosmic Menu of Happiness had her Eggs and Tea or Soft boiled with toast soldiers. she even made pita brad to go with. Tasty!
15- From Ottawa, Canada, Ana of Pumpkin Pie Bungalow who cooks, is renovating her 1937 bungalow, and keeps busy gardening made Pudim de Claras. It might be an ubiquitous pudding in Portugal but would be most welcome in this corner of Seattle. ;-)
16- Another first time contributor, who hails from South Carolina, Meg of Morsels of Megret submits not one but two delicious recipes:Mint-Chocolate Forgotten Cookie Sandwiches and Lemon-Cardamom Breakfast Bread with Turbinado Sugar Coating. And just look at her photos!
17- From Eugene, Oregon, beautiful McAuliflower of Brownie Points prepared Soft Cooked Duck Eggs with Warm Anchovy Vinegarette. And she is to blame for my Oven Roasted Sephardic Eggs hankering which I'll have to try very soon. Gorgeous pictures too!
18- Lovely Indira of Mahanandi (Ohio) has been hoping to see her entry in the final roundup since the day she submitted her beautiful Egg Pakora (Egg Bhaji). Indira might be far from India but India is definitely in her little corner of Ohio. And check out her Cherry Clafoutis! Thank goodness for $1.19 cherries at Giant Eagle! I tried to order this Cherry Clafoutis twice in LA and both times they were out. Oy!
19-Stel of Baby Rambutan (notorious nosher, quack psycho, 3 little kittens, type A) is from the Phillipines but she happens to be blogging from Boston. She thought of making a deconstructed version of the Brazo de Mercedes (Mercedes's Arm) but aided by her paella pan opted for a gorgeous Canonigo (a meringue cake with custard sauce) instead. Mmmm!
20- Kevin of Seriously Good is a personal chef in Knoxville, Tennessee. He prepared a very good, oh so god, G-D it was good Shrimp Souffle. And he even made some grits. Yum!
21- Jennifer, the spicy New Englander behind The Spice Must Flow regaled us with her Smoked-Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata. And just look at her before and after photos. Yum! Thanks Jen!
22-This event would not be complete without an entry from Australia's own AugustusGloop of Grab your Fork. His Tortilla Española made me want to get on the next plane to Madrid or at least walk up the street to Spanish Table for a slice of theirs (quite good too!). There's always tomorrow. ¡Bravo Majo!
23- From Los Angeles, California Nic of Baking Sheet made some delightful Hard Cooked Egg Cookies. Go ahead and click on the cute cookie pic. Who would have thought there is actually hard boiled egg in the dough?
24-From Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur representing yet again) comes Boo_licious of Masak-Masak with her Roti Jala a Malaysian pancake which means lacy/net egg pancakes which we eat with curry chicken and potatoes. Yowza! With my newfound fascination for Malay/Nonya cuisine, I can't wait to explore more dishes such as this. Thanks boo!
25-Santos (Scent of Green Bananas, Guam), what have you done to me? Your Tocino de Cielo photos and recipe have me planning a trip to the farmers market just to get enough Araucana eggs to honor your tocino. Who knew that sugar, water and eggs could be this spectacular? Thank you so very much for the recipe and the magnificent photos.
26-Cheryl, you know, she bakes and she cooks in Singapore and she also happens to love eggs to death. For this IMBB instead of baking, she rummaged through her fridge and and just 'invented' this dish as I went along. Her Rice crepes with egg and tuna stuffing sure look good!
27-From Trinidad and Tobago, via England Miss Maco of Petit Careme made Stuffed Eggs Pratoom. Even though eggs are not normally her favourite food, she did not have a maid and was not hosting a party, she made them herself, had them for lunch and came through looking like a champ. Thanks again Miss M!
28- This was J's (of Kuidaore) first time taking part in IMBB (all the way from Singapore) and she really loved our theme! Her Savoury Custard with Century Egg and Tobiko is absolutely stunning and her blog pictures a sight for sore and hungry eyes. Thanks again J!
29-From San Francisco, California, dear Amy of the wonderful Cooking with Amy whipped up a batch of her Onion Smothered Eggs a name which she says sounds better than Oeufs a la Tripe, no? Mais oui, mon amie! Bien sûr! Thanks again Amy! (as soon as I have a sec I'll consider the MEME)
30- For Jess (from the UK) this was also a first foodblogging experience. Her friend Mel introduced Jess to this whole new world of food blogging. She wrote: I think its fantastic I have been entertaining my family with my disasters and a few of my triumphs. Well I thought I would give this month's egg blog a go. So here's her lavender flavoured Creme Caramel. Unfortunately for Jess, even with the lavender, it still tasted too eggy but at least her mom enjoyed it. ;-)
31- It's my first attend, I hope it's right, wrote Dilek of dilek'ce (translated as a la Dilek, her name) a blogger that lives and posts from Switzerland, near Zürich. Take a look at her Vietnamese crème caramel with thai coconut milk and japanese Matcha tea, a "globalized" version of the crème caramel It is so lovely! Great job Dilek!
32- Petra aka The Food Freak blogs from Hamburg, Germany. Her entry: a pleasingJapanese Omelet Salad made with all sorts of lovely ingredients. This late in the evening, it has made me absolutely hungry! Vielen dank, Petra!
33- Christine (Medford, Massachusetts) started Vegetablog in April when she signed up for a local farm share for the first time - you pay the farm a lump sum in advance and you get to pick up whatever veggies are ready once a week all summer. She blogs about the veggies she receives, what she's cooking with them, and other random veggie-related nonsense. Her Individual Onion and Gruyere Quiches, photographed right out of the oven look very delectable indeed. Thanks again Christine!
34- Brandon of Brandon Eats blogs from Richmond, Virginia. Take a look at that lovely photo of Wasabi Eggs What a delightful snapshot and recipe! I'm making this soon!
35- Piggy (aka Grace) of Singapore's own Piggy's Cooking Journal graced us with two lovely entries: Steamed 3-tiered Egg White+Prawn+Chicken Cake and a Fried Rice in Eggy Parcel . Yum! Lovely photos too. Thanks Piggy!
36- Cathy of My Little Kitchen lives in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC, sent us her beautiful Blueberry Meringues and bet we would be inundated with entries for this IMBB. You were right! What cute meringues! Thanks a bunch Cathy!
37- California resident Maureen of Hungry Mouth could not abide eggs so her compromise was to make a Trio of Cocktails each of which incorporates raw egg white. Lovely Maureen, truly lovely! Thanks again for participating!
38- June (aka Joooone of Nibble & Scribble) Singapore kitchen is under going renovation and looks like a total mess. Leave it to her auntie to give her a free kitchen use pass to make her beautiful Sweet Soy Infused Quail’s Eggs for this IMBB. They look like malted balls. Sweet indeed!
39- What do you get when you add one over-enthusiastic cook to a cramped NYC kitchen? One Hot Stove! and a lovely (what a shayna punim!) Nupur sending us her Eggsotic Biryani Feast! I happen to love Biryani and Nupur's beautifu entry has motivated me to try it at home. Namaste, Nupur!
40- Templar (AKA Jason), the Food Ninja (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) sent in some tasty Dim Sum Custard Bunns. He had fun making them and even more fun sharing them with his gurl. He must be a techie. Look at the wording he uses to describe the recipe and ingredient categories. Way to go Templar!
To be continued...
