10 Cheap Egg Dishes That Turn a Tray of Eggs Into a Week of Meals

A tray of eggs is one of the most useful things you can keep in a Malaysian kitchen. Eggs are versatile, quick to cook, a good source of protein and usually cheaper per meal than meat or fish. With a few pantry staples like soy sauce, onions, chilli and rice, a tray can stretch across a whole week of different meals.

Eggs also suit almost every eating style in a Malaysian household. They are halal, fit vegetarian diets that include eggs, and are soft enough for young children and older family members. Most of the dishes below need nothing more than a frying pan or a pot, so they work in small rental kitchens too.

Here are ten egg dishes that are cheap, filling and familiar to most Malaysian families.

Rice-Plate Favourites

1. Telur bistik. Fry eggs, then simmer them in a sauce of sliced onion, tomato, soy sauce, a little ketchup and water until slightly thick. The sweet, savoury gravy is perfect over rice.
2. Sambal telur. Hard-boil eggs, peel them, fry them briefly until the outside blisters, then toss them in sambal made from chilli paste, onion, tamarind and sugar. A nasi lemak classic that keeps well in a lunchbox.
3. Telur masak kicap. Boiled eggs braised in dark soy sauce, garlic, star anise and a little sugar. Make a big pot; they taste better on day two.
4. Egg curry. Add halved boiled eggs and potatoes to a simple curry gravy made with curry powder, onion and coconut milk. Cheap, warming and great with roti or chapati.

Quick Pan Dishes

5. Telur dadar (Malaysian omelette). Beat eggs with chopped onion, cili padi, spring onion and a pinch of salt, then fry in a hot pan until crispy at the edges. Ready in five minutes.
6. Egg fried rice. Scramble two eggs in a hot wok, add day-old rice, soy sauce and frozen peas, and toss. A complete meal for very little.
7. Fu yong egg. A thick Cantonese-style omelette with bean sprouts, onion and a bit of minced chicken or prawn, served with a light soy gravy.
8. Egg and tomato stir-fry. Soft scrambled eggs tossed with tomato wedges cooked down with a little sugar and salt. Sweet, tangy and ready in ten minutes.

Buy eggs in trays, check that none are cracked, and store them in the fridge. Cold storage keeps them fresher for longer in our climate, and you can plan a week of meals around one tray.

Soft and Gentle Dishes

9. Steamed egg (chawanmushi-style). Beat 2 eggs with about 1.5 times their volume of water or stock and a pinch of salt. Strain into a bowl, cover and steam on low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until just set. Silky and great for children and older family members.
10. Half-boiled eggs. The kopitiam breakfast: eggs cooked in just-boiled water off the heat for about 6 to 7 minutes, cracked into a cup and seasoned with soy sauce and white pepper. Serve with kaya toast. Use very fresh eggs from a trusted supplier for soft-cooked dishes.

A Simple Egg-Based Week

To show how far a tray can go, here is one way a family could plan dinners around eggs and pantry staples:

• Monday: telur bistik with rice and stir-fried cabbage
• Tuesday: egg fried rice with frozen vegetables
• Wednesday: egg curry with potatoes and chapati
• Thursday: telur dadar, dhal and rice
• Friday: egg and tomato stir-fry with leftover rice

Mixing eggs with lentils, tofu, vegetables and occasional chicken or fish keeps meals varied and balanced. Our dhal curry pairs especially well with omelettes, and the budget cooking in Malaysia guide has more ideas for stretching the grocery budget.

Egg Safety Tips

• Do not buy cracked or dirty eggs.
• Keep eggs refrigerated and use them before the date on the tray.
• Wash your hands after handling raw eggs.
• Cook eggs thoroughly for babies, pregnant women, elderly people and anyone with a weak immune system.
• Refrigerate egg dishes within an hour or two of cooking and eat leftovers within a day or two.

FAQ

How can I tell if an egg is fresh?

Place it in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink and lie flat; older eggs tilt or stand up. An egg that floats should be thrown away.

Are eggs healthy to eat every day?

For many healthy people, eggs can be part of a balanced daily diet. If you have a medical condition such as high cholesterol, ask your doctor for advice that suits you.

Can I freeze cooked egg dishes?

Egg curries and braised eggs freeze reasonably well, though boiled egg whites become rubbery. Omelettes and steamed egg are best eaten fresh.

Eggs are proof that budget cooking does not have to be boring. With these ten dishes in your rotation, a single tray can feed the family well, with something different on the table almost every night.