Eggs in a Bag!

These instructions are for how to make scrambled eggs in a plastic Ziploc bag. This is a simple but fantastic technique, and is especially applicable for camping, backpacking, canoe trips, or other outdoor events which may involve cooking over a fire. Ready to make your favorite shelled breakfast food? Let's begin!

You'll need eggs, a Ziploc plastic bag, a pot (1 gal size or greater should work well), water, and a heating source (either a stove, fire, or some other means for cooking food). Optional: extra ingredients to add into the eggs (meat, spices, herbs, etc.).

• Up to 4 eggs will fit well in a quart-sized bag. If planning to cook many eggs, using gallon-sized Ziploc bags may be a better option.
• If going with a fire (Bravo for such a bold and daring decision!), make sure to gather fuel such as leaves and sticks in addition to the other supplies. You will want to create a fire big enough and hot enough to generate the heat necessary to boil water.

Crack the eggs into the Ziploc bag and put the pot of water on the heating source to boil.

• The amount of water needed for the pot will vary with pot size, but you will want enough to cover the portion of the bag with eggs in it at least. Remember, the more water you put into the pot, the more water has to be heated up and boiled. The more water there is, the longer it will take for the water to boil and for you to progress to Step 3 so you can be that much closer to devouring your delicious breakfast.
• If you want to add other ingredients to enhance the flavor of your delicacy in a bag, do so after the eggs have been cracked into the bag but before Step 3. Common ingredients used with eggs: chopped ham, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon bits, and cheese.
• Cooking secret: adding milk to eggs will increase the amount of final product you make, so if you are feeling extra ravenous but only have a few eggs, dump a cup of milk in there and satisfy your hunger.
• OBVIOUS ALERT! The fire or stove will be HOT. Don't touch them unless you are trying to get burns.

After the water in the pot is boiling, it is time to add the bag of eggs. Attempt to keep the bag from touching the sides of the pot; the pot will be hot and may melt the bag, resulting in your golden goodness spilling into the boiling water.

• TIP: Having the bag partially full of air (not deflated as shown in the picture) will allow it to float in the water so you do not have to toast your hand while holding the bag in the pot over the flames. Trust me, hand-toasting is not a pleasant experience
• OBVIOUS ALERT! The water is going to be HOT, so be careful when adding the bag; put it in slowly to reduce the amount of splash.

Leave the bag in the boiling water until the eggs inside the bag have become solid. Though it may not look like it in the picture, those eggs are completely cooked through and are no longer runny.

• Cooking time will vary based on the temperature of the heat source and the number of eggs you choose to cook.
• The heat from the fire heats the water, and then the heat from the water will cook the eggs. This is a similar concept to the sun shining on a car and causing the inside of the car to get very hot, which can result in the individuals inside the car feeling like they are cooking alive if sitting in the car on hot days.

After the eggs have a solid consistency, you can pull them out of the bag, perhaps add a little extra salt, and then indulge in the wonderful product of your hard work.

• OBVIOUS ALERT (repeated): You are working with hot things; be careful--especially if you are considering putting some of those hot things into your stomach. Make sure the eggs have cooled sufficiently before digging in. A burnt tongue would significantly decrease the enjoyment of an otherwise delectable meal.

This meal is particularly fantastic because there is hardly any cleanup to be done! Take the bag, egg shells, and any additional garbage you generated while cooking, and throw it all away. Wash your utensils and pot thoroughly. Obey the Boy Scout cooking pledge: always leave an area where you were cooking cleaner than when you found it.