I didn't go to the Ozark Empire Fair in search of recipes but I couldn't resist picking up a handful of recipe cards at the Rose Acre Farms booth. Rose Acre farms is a fifth generation egg farm that began in southern Indiana in the 1930's. They now have farms in Indiana ,Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, and North Carolina.
It was interesting to read about the modern cage system used in egg production and the humane and ethical guidelines that are followed. Here are benefits of the cage system:
- Eggs from modern cage production typically are 50-70 percent less expensive than non-cage eggs.
- Modern cage systems allow for cleaner, safer eggs and provide a more stable supply to meet consumer demand.
- Modern cage systems provide hens with protection from soil and litter borne diseases, resulting in fewer health problems.
- Research shows that hens in modern cages do not have any greater levels of stress than free range hens.
- Research shows that eggs from modern cage systems have lower shell bacteria levels than eggs from cage-free range systems. Modern cage systems allow for daily inspections and monitoring of hens for illnesses and quick treatment.
Here's the first recipe I plan to try since we have an abundance of zucchini squash from my neighbor's garden (he gave it to me):
Muffin Frittatas
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped zucchini
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
2 Tablespoons chopped red onion
Instructions:
1) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper in medium bowl until blended. Add cheese, zucchini, sweet pepper and onion; mix well. Spoon evenly into 12 greased muffin cups, about 1/4 cup each.
2) Bake in 350 degrees F oven until just set, about 20 to 22 minutes. Cool on rack 5 minutes. Remove from cups, serve warm.
Quick breakfast solution: Bake muffin frittatas the night before and refrigerate. Quickly re-warm in the microwave to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the morning.
You can find this recipe, other great egg recipes and info on the side at
incredibleegg.org.