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So the egg sighting event I mentioned last week has started at a cracking pace, with Dublin landmarks playing host to just over eight dozen sizeable eggs. Each egg has been decorated by an artist, or would be artist celebrity, or should that read, would be celebrity artist, well never mind all that. Each of the hundred individuals chosen have stamped an egg (what a messy picture that brings to mind eh?) with their own personal brand, theme, message, vision, whatever, in a myriad of wonderful colours, materials and techniques.

A pity that it's not possible to see the eggs from all angles on the website but maybe soon!
I particularly like Paulo Tulio's  tiled piece. Unlike Rasher, who's egg is distinctly hard boiled and sliced, Paulo's mosaic manages to play with the perfect iconic oval shape without actually changing it. I am constantly drawn to the shape which appears slightly off kilter. Perhaps it's his use of neg(g)ative space.

Of course the really important thing is that it's all done to benefit the Jack and Jill  foundation one of our favourite charities. One hundred no less, of these unusual and beautiful eggs will be placed in different significant locations around Dublin. You can take part in the Big Egg Hunt and let us know how you get on.

Word has it that Applegreen have sponsored an egg. No-one but no-one will tell me which one or where it is, so any help in that direction would be greatly appreciated. Should you spot an egg with the words "low fuel prices always", "now that's better" or any other markings or indications that it might indeed be the Applegreen sponsored egg, don't hesitate to contact me.  For instance it may be posing as the best looking egg in town or even acting like it belongs to the coolest forecourt operators around. Eggs can get carried away you know and they do tend to dream,  probably about other eggs. Yes eggs dream!
It may be that my last post's recipe for Eggs Benedict had something to do with the Pope's decision to retire, but somehow I doubt it. Anyhow I have decided to feature another egg recipe which I hold in high esteem but is rather humble in origin, as this time I would prefer not to influence world events. This time it's a souffle, and as we say down on the chicken farm  it's a cracker. Try it

The Egg is the most humble and at once the most logical place to start, don't you think? After all, the very sight of an egg is enough to conjure up new beginnings.

But should you decide to eat one, wow, the myriad possibilities are enough to make your head spin.
Bread, buns, baked, boiled, dressings, fried, hard-boiled, ice cream, meringues, on toast, over easy, omelettes, poached,  pastry, pancakes, quiche, sandwiches, salads, scrambled, sunny side up, soft boiled, souffles, stuffed, The list is endless and mouthwateringly confusing. Eggs are a big deal.

In Bulgaria, Poland and Germany painting eggs is a big part of chidrens Easter fun as is hiding and hunting for them.  The UK and Ireland  love their egg games, egg and spoon race springs to mind. We also have an infatuation for an egg shaped football game and a soft spot for chocolate eggs as do our good friends in the US, where they also practice the European egg hunting and painting tradition.

I shouldn't forget to mention Faberge eggs which they say the Queen of England is rather partial to and of course the egg which has already declared  it's  nationality, the Scotch egg. The Pope even has the superb  Eggs Benedict! You can even surprise your loved one with a Valentines day egg.

Bastian our  food crazy Dutch chef/Cafe manager at the Applegreen Lusk south-bound motorway service area has offered his take on simply baked eggs. Lovingly known to his friends and colleagues as "The Frying Dutchman", Bas sent me in this pic with the following simple instruction.

The Frying Dutchman's option As you can see when it comes to eggs I have only just scratched the surface, so to speak. Over the next month and a half I will continue to peck away at this subject and not without good reason.  You may or may not be aware that one of our favourite charities the Jack and Jill  foundation are just about to launch what could very well be the biggest egg hunt in the history of the Irish state.

Considering their relationship with the infamous if unfortunate Humpty Dumpty who better than Jack and Jill to instigate The Big Egg Hunt which will launch on February 12, 2013, which is of course Pancake or Shrove Tuesday.
Applegreen will take part in the hunt and I will keep you posted . Meanwhile if you have any egg related stories, recipes, facts or even factoids, or if you intend to get involved in the Big Egg Hunt, share it with us by commenting or follow us on Twitter.