regeneration

it's all well and good to paint an egg, or dye an egg, or hide it or whatever. me, i want to eat an egg. spring begins two days from now, and eggs have traditionally, across many cultures, been a symbol of spring. i myself need no bidding to eat eggs, i do it all the time, but i am usually doing it with no nod to their symbolic significance.

i could use a new beginning right about now (and so could a few of my close friends--you know who you are), so i am really pleased about the new season. the warmer weather and the arrival of produce beyond potatoes and cabbage doesn't hurt either.

i offer you now 3 ways to enjoy hard boiled eggs :

1. EGG ON TOAST. Hard boil an egg. This takes longer than you might think. Keep that puppy in the boiling water for 15 minutes or so. Seriously. If it's undercooked, it'll be a bitch to peel. Toast a piece of your favorite bread. Spread a nice whole grain mustard on it. Slice the egg, place on the bread, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Enjoy.

2. DEVILED EGGS: Slice a dozen hard boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the yellow parts all together in one bowl. Add a tbsp or two of mayonnaise, a tsp of good mustard, cracked black pepper. Spoon filling back into egg halves, sprinkle with paprika.

3. LENTILS/SPINACH/EGGS: This oddball recipe seems strange, but is hearty and truly delicious. From Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. Cook french lentils simply in water. Saute onion rings until deeply brown, on the verge of caramelization. Saute spinach in garlic. Hard boil a few eggs. One portion looks like this: a bed of garlic spinach, topped with a mound of lentil, topped with a small mound of onions, topped with one chopped hard-boiled egg.

here's to eggs. and spring. and new beginnings/possibilities.