The Perfect Fried Egg

The Epicurean philosophy urges one to have a simple life, but also enjoy some of fine things the world offers. That attitude reminds me of an interview I saw around four decades ago of Jack Benny. Jack Benny was a great comedian from the vaudeville era thru the radio era and then thru the early years of television. He had traveled around the nation entertaining and had eaten at many small and large establishments. In his travels he enjoyed finding places that had the best offerings of simple foods. In the interview he talked awhile about a diner or small restaurant somewhere in the Mid West that served the best ham and eggs he had ever eaten . His delivery was exquisite. What in prose might seem bland could be hilarious when Jack Benny said it.

This example shows us that "fine" need not be expensive. One can create foods that look and taste marvelously without spending a C note. The World's Finest Martini recipe posted here does that for cocktails. Yesterday I made what I like to call The Perfect Fried Egg. This is not the world's best. I might have claimed that once, but on a train tour of Scotland on The Royal Scotsman a few years ago I had a couple fried eggs that were so tasty I have to forego claiming I can top them.

Start with the best eggs you can find. I use fresh eggs from a local farm laid by happy, free range chickens fed with organic feeds. (I think this is where the Scottish eggs have the advantage.). Spray your skillet with Pam or some antistick spray. Put some olive oil (extra virgin !) in the pan and set the heat at about medium.

Test the temperature by putting a drop of cold water into the oil. When it pops vigorously, the oil is at the correct temperature. Crack the eggshells one at a time and put the eggs into the oil. This takes a bit of practice and requires a good wrist action for a clean crack. Sprinkle some black pepper on them. Now wait.

When the white is not quite fully cooked, carefully flip the eggs over. Start counting off seconds once the first egg has been flipped. In my "humble" opinion [;)], over medium is the best. The yolk is cooked to being mostly thick, but only very slightly solid. This required 35 seconds being "over", no more, no less.

When 35 seconds have elapsed, take out the first egg flipped and put it onto your plate, then take the second egg out. Voilà ! You now have two Perfect Fried Eggs.

By the way, the perfection is in the manner and result of the frying. If you have better eggs, you'll beat mine. And it's a matter of taste. If you really like runny or solid eggs, you might think these substandard. But as for your taste ... I can't possibly comment. ;-)

Markets

A good rally. I wonder if this in an intermediate bottom. Those Krypto Fund asset allocations to stocks have been a good sign of that in the past. The sellers seem to have dried up and few sellers were uncovered lower on recent probes. But then, the question is, What to buy ? I have few ideas now. I need to do some research.

Word of the Day

"Ipsedixit" - noun [$10]
Ipsedixit means an assertion made but not proven.
Sentence: These ipsedixits that I make for my recipes, such as The World's Finest Martini and The Perfect Fried Egg, are done facetiously to provoke thought and comment.