Ditch butter for healthier, tastier scrambled eggs
Scrambled eggs are among the most popular breakfast choices. Before the eggs hit the pan, the fat must be heated first. Choosing the right fat isn't as straightforward as it might seem.
Scrambled eggs with butter are a true classic. People often add ham or bacon, onions, and tomatoes to them. However, it turns out that butter is not the best choice for scrambled eggs. It's worth considering other, healthier fats.
Give up butter
Considering the price of butter in stores, the information that it's not the best fat for cooking scrambled eggs might be reassuring. It's not about calories or taste (which is impeccable), but about the smoke point.
The smoke point is the temperature at which fat begins to break down, releasing an unpleasant odor and harmful substances. For butter, this point is relatively low, around 302 degrees Fahrenheit, while the recommended cooking temperature is 356 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that when cooking scrambled eggs, especially on higher heat, butter can easily burn. The taste of burnt butter is not very pleasant, and coupled with the release of harmful chemical compounds, it may ruin your appetite for scrambled eggs with butter.
What to fry scrambled eggs on?
An alternative to regular butter is clarified butter. Clarification removes water and milk proteins from butter, raising the smoke point to about 392-401 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that clarified butter does not burn or release harmful compounds. Additionally, clarified butter has a neutral taste, so it won't overpower the eggs.
Olive oil is another excellent option. Its smoke point is 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's a great source of unsaturated fatty acids, which benefit heart health. Canola oil is also a good choice. These plant-based alternatives can enhance the health benefits of scrambled eggs.
For those who want to avoid adding any fat, steamed scrambled eggs are an option. Place a metal bowl with beaten eggs over a pot of boiling water and steam for about 10-15 minutes or until you achieve the desired consistency. Remember to stir to ensure even cooking.
