I thought it would be fun to create the first thread in what I hope will be a series of interesting discussions. The challenge for all of you - pick a snack or very simply prepared and common food and describe your method for cooking it well and to the liking of your personal tastes. As I cook more and more I learn that sometimes it is not the complexity of the ingredients in a dish, simply the cooking method that makes something truly special, and even the most simple foods can be turned into something amazing.
My favorite snack late at night or for a quick lunch is scrambled eggs, particularly on toast, and I will describe my method for making them to my liking.
Eggs in a bowl - I do not scramble them before putting them in a pan - I find that it allows them to be nice and creamy instead of ending up in coagulated chunks.
Into the pan at a moderate heat - I dont like to cook them quickly, but the pan needs to be hot enough to start them sizzling right off the bat. As soon as they hit the pan I toss in a small piece of butter, it cooks into them and gives a nice creamy feel.
Stir with a spatula and do not stop, I find that if I stop it begins to form the previously mentioned chunks.
I cook them on the heat for about 45 seconds, then off the heat, then on the heat, etc. I find this prevents them from overcooking and breaking apart.
When they start to form together and coagulate, I add a splash of cheese. Mozza or provolone are my favorites.
I cook until cheese melts and add a teaspoon or so of sambal, I love sambal and I like my eggs slightly spicy, just enough so you can taste it but not so much that its "hot".
As soon as they are about 75% cooked I remove from heat, add a generous dash of cream, and season with kosher salt and pepper to my liking, then I return to the heat until the cream is fully incorporated, and they get this nice fluffy consistency, its like biting into a nice spicy cloud. Pour over toast and you are set.
Some nice variations - add a tablespoon of your own salsa with the cream and top with some diced avocado. Sweat some shallots or onion with a little bit of garlic, or saute some mushrooms with some parsley, salt and garlic before adding the egg mixture and cook it off until the water evaporates.
My challenge to all of you - think of a dish that is very very simple, and that you love, and post a thread in this forum telling us how you make it. Sometimes when I'm awake at midnight, its not about an exquisite 3 course dinner, its about some lovely comfort food that I have loved since I was a child and can be whipped up in 10 minutes! Lets have some fun with this. I want each of you to create a thread about your favorite snack/comfort food and lets talk technique, and how to create pure magic out of something simple.