Who would have believed it. $8 for a dozen eggs! If it isn’t one pandemic pushing up prices, it’s another. In this case, the pandemic is the avian flu that is causing egg prices to skyrocket. California’s egg farms have been hit particularly hard, prompting the governor to issue a state emergency. Sadly, there is no relief in sight. Eggs may or may not have hit a price peak (frankly, we doubt it), but it’ll take months to restore the egg-laying chicken stocks.
In the meantime, it possible to find reasonably priced eggs in San Diego. At present, Costco is selling two dozen eggs for about $7.50, or about $3.75 per dozen. Even better, Trader Joes is selling large eggs for $3. Sam’s Club should have prices comparable to those of Costco, but we’ve not checked yet. These lower prices are likely the result of long-term purchase contracts that large retailers use to keep their supply priced at a reasonable rate.
Unfortunately, most San Diego supermarkets don’t buy with fixed contracts, so their prices are $8 or above. Surprisingly, Walmart is selling eggs for about $7.50 per dozen. Stay tuned as we will continue to get on the lookout for reasonably priced eggs.
In the meantime, you may want to check out some egg substitutes. For example, in baking, mashed banana and applesauce can often fill the role of eggs in a recipe. Ever try a tofu scramble? It is seriously good and perhaps even healthier than eggs. And if you have access to mung bean dal, you might want to check out this recipe. Miyoko is the creator of Miyoko plant-based dairy products, so she knows what she’s doing. (except that she doesn’t have a suitable non-stick pan!)
Ground flax or chia seeds soaked in water provide the binding qualities associated with eggs. And plain yogurt offers similar richness to eggs. Finally, aquafaba is a miracle liquid. Three tablespoons of this residual of cooked chickpeas offers the equivalent of one egg in most baking recipes. Or you can whip it up, like a meringue, to simulate whipped egg whites. Check it out — aquafaba is amazing!