French Scrambled Eggs

by Barbara on September 25, 2010

Post image for French Scrambled Eggs
Today’s post is my second contribution to the International Incident Party. The theme for this month is eggs. Is there anything more versatile or used more often in baking than eggs? In fact, there were so many possibilities that it was hard to narrow it down.

So I decided it was the perfect opportunity to turned to a new cookbook I received from my dear blogging buddy, Shelby, The Life & Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch. Joy of Cooking – All About Breakfast & Brunch has so many fabulous breakfast ideas, but it also has great tips on cooking the basics, like poached and scrambled eggs.

I was intrigued by the recipe for French Scrambled Eggs:

It takes both patience and a bit of technique to make great looking and tasting scrambled eggs. First, beat the eggs until the white and yolks are completely blended. The addition of cream, butter, milk or even water will keep the eggs more tender when cooked to medium doneness. But the liquid can also separate out and turn the eggs watery, especially if they are cooked too quickly—gentle heat is essential for producing soft, delectable eggs.

The lower the heat, the longer it takes the eggs to cook, and the creamier the result. The French technique takes this principle to an extreme by cooking scrambled eggs in a double boiler. Infrequent stirring will produce large, uneven curds; more constant, careful stirring and scraping of the bottom of the pan will result in more delicate, billowy curds and creamier eggs. Vigorous stirring will produce small curds. Finally, scramble eggs must be served immediately. We recommend transferring them to warmed plates while they are slightly underdone. They will continue to cook and firm up on their way to the table.

I prefer my scramble eggs with large curds, but the idea of delicate billowy curds and creamier eggs sounded fabulous, so I opted for constant stirring. This technique really does make the eggs lighter and fluffier, I don’t usually use this much better in my eggs, and I don’t think it’s really necessary. Next time I use this technique, I would probably just add a little milk instead of the cut butter.

French Scrambled Eggs
Joy of Cooking – All About Breakfast & Brunch

1 tablespoon butter
3 to 4 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the top of a double boiler over, not in, boiling water.

Beat together eggs, cut butter, salt and pepper until the whites and yolks are completely combined. Pour the eggs into the double boiler and stir with a wooden spoon as the butter melts. Continue stirring, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan, until the eggs have thickened into soft, creamy curds, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Servings: 2

Print Recipe

Stop by all the other bloggers participating in this month’s International Incident Eggs Party to get more great ideas for using the incredible edible egg.

{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }

Jennifer (Savor) September 25, 2010 at 7:05 pm

Your photos and recipes ujst keep getting better and better Barbara
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Honey @ honeyandsoy September 25, 2010 at 7:54 pm

Oooh scrambled eggs are an all-time favourite, and what a great idea to showcase them for the IIP!

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Bonnie September 25, 2010 at 7:55 pm

Barbara,

Your eggs look beautiful. I agree with you on the butter issue, but I love nothing more for breakfast than a plate of soft, pillowy curds. Yummm.
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Jo @ secondhelping September 25, 2010 at 8:57 pm

The French so love the richness of butter don’t they? Your scrambled eggs look lovely – I would have wanted to eat right out of the pan!

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Brooke September 25, 2010 at 8:59 pm

Thanks for the tips. My husband has always made better scrambled eggs than me, but now I need to try these out and rub them (figuratively) in his face! :D
I LOVE the new printable option for your recipes! Thank you, THANK YOU!

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Sue September 25, 2010 at 11:14 pm

Barbara, I could eat eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I’ll have to give this French method a shot sometime!
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penny aka jeroxie September 26, 2010 at 12:34 am

Using a double boiler! Have to try this next weekend. I love a good scrambled eggs. YUM!

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Conor @ Hold the Beef September 26, 2010 at 1:12 am

Mmm billowy curds is a lovely thought, and your eggs look like they’re on the money :) Although I started my day with poached eggs, I think maybe some curds like these might be on the cards for dinner!

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Cakelaw September 26, 2010 at 4:59 am

These eggs look devine – and thanks for all the hints. Scarmbled eggs can tend to be a bit hit and miss for me, so the science behind it is useful.
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pegasuslegend September 26, 2010 at 5:21 am

just a perfect breakfast plate here!
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Candy September 26, 2010 at 6:36 am

I am famous (at least in my house) for my scrambled eggs and have perfected my technique over the years. While I don’t use a double boiler, I use a lot the technique of this recipe – who knew!

Looks delicious and I would love to have a bite of those eggs right now!
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Emma @cakeMistress September 26, 2010 at 6:56 am

Thanks for the key to great scrambled eggs. I always get impatient, hence the rubbery texture :(
Lovely contribution to the Eggs Party!

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Joanne September 26, 2010 at 7:39 am

I never realized how much of a science there was to scrambled eggs! These look delicious and I can now see how important technique is, even for something so simple.
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Faith September 26, 2010 at 8:14 am

What a beautiful way to make eggs, they really do look soft and creamy. I would love to add a sprinkle of fresh herbs!
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marla {family fresh cooking} September 26, 2010 at 8:41 am

Just submitted this creamy french scramble to Stumble. This is my favorite way to prepare eggs. Full of flavor & I adore the texture.

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Kulsum at JourneyKitchen September 26, 2010 at 9:16 am

the key to scrambled egg is always doing it at low temp! You nailed it :)

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Cathy at Wives with Knives September 26, 2010 at 9:32 am

Scrambled eggs are a breakfast favorite in my house and I prefer a light, fluffy mix with large curds. I’ve never tried preparing them in a double boiler – must give that a try.
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Alison @ Ingredients, Inc September 26, 2010 at 10:47 am

Love this. Serve it to me now on a Sunday A.M. Great job!
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Nancy/SpicieFoodie September 26, 2010 at 11:14 am

This is how my husband makes and has taught me to make scrambled eggs. They are just perfect this way, no need or extras that are not necessary. Perfect submission.
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Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite September 26, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Barbara these eggs look absolutely like my idea of heaven on a plate. I am afraid I misunderstood the directions by making something WITH eggs instead of making eggs the star like you did. Well done and thanks for coming to the party. You are welcome any morning in my house with a plate of those!
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Trix September 26, 2010 at 1:05 pm

I. too, usually go for larger curds – I like it diner style. But .. butter … and milk .. well, that can never be a bad thing!!! Thanks for coming to the party!

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theUngourmet September 26, 2010 at 2:18 pm

I love making big breakfasts on the weekends. You eggs look wonderful. I had no idea the French prepared their eggs this way. Interesting!

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Gabriella September 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Ciao
Mi piace molto questa ricetta, le uova strapazzate se fatte bene sono buonissime e a te sono venute veramente bene complimenti!!!
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kathleen September 26, 2010 at 4:12 pm

These eggs look incredible!
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella September 26, 2010 at 5:34 pm

I’m so interested in this method as I love scrambled eggs! I might give this a go next weekend. Thanks mum! xxx
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elra September 26, 2010 at 5:53 pm

Simply delicious Barbara ! Now let me go and check this links :)
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Mags September 26, 2010 at 5:55 pm

That photo belongs on the cover of some food magazine. Everything looks so elegant and delicious!
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rebecca September 26, 2010 at 6:42 pm

yum you can’t beat good scrambled eggs i make it like this for my daughter
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The Southern Cookbook September 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm

Barbara, your French scrambled eggs look fantastic. Now I am ready for breakfast again! :)
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Anna Johnston September 26, 2010 at 7:15 pm

Mmmm, nothing like a lovely creamy scrambled eggs.

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maybelles mom September 26, 2010 at 8:09 pm

reading this makes me intensely hungry for breakfast.
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Iron Chef Shellie September 26, 2010 at 8:19 pm

looks amazing. I love scrambled eggs!
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5 Star Foodie September 26, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Those scrambled eggs look absolutely perfect, yum! Great to meet you at our party :)
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faithy September 26, 2010 at 9:42 pm

Looks heavenly!! I want that for my breakfast! wish someone can cook like this for me for breakfast..cos i have no time to cook or eat anything in the morning..LOL!
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Barbara September 27, 2010 at 4:23 am

I MUST try this, Barbara! Patience is the answer to perfect eggs, right? Most of us are in such a hurry. Your description and photos are making me very hungry!
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Kim September 27, 2010 at 5:31 am

I love the idea of cooking the eggs over a double boiler. I’m excited to give this a try (but will follow your advice of using less butter). After so many years of cooking eggs one way it will be fun to try something different!
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girlichef September 27, 2010 at 6:55 am

So simple…and yet so perfect! Your eggs look lovely…and I totally wish I had that plate for breakfast right this minute! :)
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shaz September 27, 2010 at 7:29 am

Beautiful eggs Barbara! I’m a bit of a stirrer and always make small curds :) Great explanation on getting the perfect eggs. Btw, love the photo, especially the bowl of raspberries in the background.
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Maria September 27, 2010 at 8:16 am

I am eyeing the raspberries in the background:) The eggs look perfect!
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Megan September 27, 2010 at 9:30 am

I want to come over for breakfast!
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Jamie September 27, 2010 at 10:05 am

There is an art to making good scrambled eggs. Thanks for sharing this technique.
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Reeni September 27, 2010 at 10:28 am

This is exactly how I like my eggs Barbara! I had no idea I was making them French style! I can’t stand for them to be any brown on them so I cook them over real low heat. Delicious!
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Eliana September 27, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Eggs are by far my FAVORITE breakfast! I eat them all day long. This preparation looks super delish!
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Cristie September 27, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Scrambled eggs are such a basic. I love you did a post on this. Your breakfast looks beatiful. Sounds like a fun new cookbook as well.
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Blond Duck September 27, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I eat eggs every day, twice if I’m having a breakfast dinner!
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pigpigscorner September 28, 2010 at 3:07 am

Beautiful! Love scrambled eggs, so creamy and yummy!
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PerfectingPru September 28, 2010 at 6:29 am

I used to just whisk up the eggs when I did them – quick and on high heat, but then I read the Michel Roux recipe and now I do them very slowly and on low heat like you did – its incredible the difference it makes!
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grace September 29, 2010 at 1:21 pm

Looks like they turned out great. This is my kind of breakfast!
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Mimi September 30, 2010 at 7:10 pm

A simple meal of fresh eggs, perfectly cooked, is heavenly.
Mimi
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BethieofVA October 4, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Oh how fancy! Do you hold your pinkie in the air when eating those eggs. YUM!!! I wish I could mail you a dozen.
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