Eggs in the Afternoon

1. Melt a small amount of unsalted butter in a small frying pan, over low heat. The trick to cooking eggs to make a frittata, omelette or scrambled eggs is to go with low heat. This produces a softer, more luxurious egg dish.

2. Whisk eggs in a bowl until frothy. Add your favorite seasonal vegetables, thinly sliced or diced. Red, yellow and orange bell peppers pair especially well with eggs and lend a bright color to the finished dish. Fresh baby spinach, roughly torn or sliced, diced onions or scallions and sliced mushrooms are also great choices.

3. Add finely chopped fresh herbs or a pinch or two of dried herbs to the bowl and whisk until combined. Thyme, basil and dill work well, as do more exotic herbs such as marjoram, savory and chervil. Onion powder may be used in place of fresh onions. When choosing an herb, consider the type of cheese you'd like to use. Pair Greek oregano with feta cheese or chopped cilantro and cumin with cheddar or cotija cheese. Chopped parsley and thyme bring out the tang of goat cheese.

4. Add a small amount of milk or heavy cream to the egg mixture and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk again and pour into a small frying pan. Cook on low until the eggs are almost set. The eggs will look nearly firm around the edges and jiggle slightly in the middle.

5. Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid and allow to continue to cook until all the eggs are set -- approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Your frittata is now ready to serve. Paired with a soup or salad of mixed greens and a vinaigrette, you have a lunch that will keep you satisfied until dinnertime.

Eggs in the Evening

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To make a strata, or egg and bread dish, rub a small amount of butter on the bottom and sides of a glass baking dish. Arrange bread pieces in an even layer on the bottom of the pan and set aside. You can use day-old French or Italian bread, sandwich bread or even English muffins in this dish.

2. Whisk together eggs, herbs and spices, a dash of salt and pepper, and a small amount of milk or cream. Add cooked, chopped bacon, ham or sausage, stir to combine, and pour into the prepare baking dish. Top with the chopped tomatoes.

3. Bake until the strata is puffy and light gold in color, approximately 30 to 50 minutes, depending on how many eggs you used. The eggs should look almost set throughout.

4. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the strata and continue to bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until the eggs are completely set -- the eggs should not jiggle at all in the pan. Remove and allow to rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Served with a hearty bowl of soup or on its own, a strata makes for an excellent dinner.