My standard breakfast includes 2 percent skim milk, a dose of Pumpkin Cheerios, and handful of whatever fruit was on sale at Publix. My days begin at 7 am and end well after midnight, and while it’s tempting to ditch breakfast and catch the bus to campus, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” always nags. Like I have time for scrambled eggs so early! *scoffs*
However, after trying Ore-Ida’s Just Crack An Egg products, I’m more tempted to flirt with a wholesome breakfast. Although microwavable scrambled eggs sounds like a trend akin to avocado toast or unicorn Starbucks, it’s definitely more practical than hipster. Crack an egg into prepackaged ingredients, microwave for 70 seconds, and you’ve got a bleary-eyed feast.
Full disclosure: Ore-Ida mailed me a Just Crack An Egg kit to try, and I’m glad they did. Here are my thoughts on this “take breakfast back” product, from the packaging to the overall taste.
The Arrival Of My Egg Carrier
Just Crack An Egg knows how to make a jaw drop. When the box arrived, I thought someone had sent me a late birthday gift of bottled wine or liquor. The packaging was heavy, cold, and imposing, somewhat like the prison of Azkaban, but for breakfast food.
However, after I realized that it was a kit of fresh eggs, bright colors, and samples, I was captivated. The eggs and ingredient cups were laid in a faux-wooden box, the idea of farm fresh communicated clear as a bell.
The cups were hard and plastic, however, I had difficulties cracking the egg on the rim. My first egg was a splattered disaster, the egg covering my counter and raining down on the kitchen floor. I recommend cracking the egg on a harder rim such as ceramic or metal. Then, when I microwaved the cup for 80 seconds, it wasn’t scorching to the touch and didn’t burn my fingertips.
Packaging: 7/10
So, What Does This Miracle Food Taste Like?
There are four varieties of Just Crack An Egg: Denver, All American, Ultimate, and Rustic. They all include smatterings of meat, potatoes, and cheese glued together by the egg you toss in. My favorite was All American, which features bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and diced potatoes. The other flavors were breakfast medleys similar to the All American, some with mushrooms and others with red peppers and onions.
They’re made with simple ingredients. It wasn’t an overwhelming smorgasbord of onions, scallions, hash browns, and meats; it was clean, thoughtless, and satisfied my lazy cravings. As a girl with zero time to breathe, study, or get it together, I appreciated the effortlessness of this food, yet explosive taste.
The flavors kind of blended into a breakfast burrito without the tortilla, the bacon subtle but enjoyable. I expected the egg to be raw and runny, but the consistency was fluffy – I microwaved the cup for an additional 10 seconds than instructed to ensure the egg was thoroughly cooked.
Taste: 9/10
Overall Thoughts
The presentation of Just Crack An Egg was impressive to the hilt – there’s nothing rustic or “farmish” about my prefabricated apartment, but I felt like Pioneer Woman with the speckled eggs. I was surprised that this product tasted decent; I always don’t associate microwaved food with high-quality flavor.
And these eggy cups aren’t just for breakfast – when I’m cramming for cost accounting or having a wine nightcap, Just Crack An Egg doubles as a snack.
These cups are perfect for a dorm room (or an apartment with inept cooks @me). So the next you’re sick of Cheerios or cold Pop-Tarts, reach for one of these egg cups to make your mornings (or midnights) a little more scrumptious.
Total score: 8/10