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Œuf et mouillettes (egg and soldiers for toddlers)
12m+ · A boiled egg cooked until set, with buttered toast fingers for dipping and scooping
In France, l'œuf à la coque with mouillettes, buttered bread fingers, is the gentle supper or Sunday breakfast every child knows. For babies and toddlers the egg is boiled a little longer, until the white is firm and the yolk is set but still soft and fudgy, so little ones can scoop and spread it rather than dip into a runny centre. It contains egg, gluten (wheat) and milk (butter). Chef's tip: start with eggs at room temperature so they don't crack in the hot water, and lower them in gently on a spoon.
- Total time
- 11 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 1
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 12 months+.
- Allergens: contains milk, egg, gluten (wheat, barley, rye or oats). Offer one new allergen at a time, in the morning, so you can watch for a reaction.
- Texture and choking: purée or mash smoothly for 6–9 months, then soft, finger-sized pieces that squash between your fingers. Cut round foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthways, never give whole nuts, and always stay with your child while they eat.
- Under 1: no honey, no added salt or stock cubes, and no added sugar.
Every child is different. If you are unsure, especially about allergies, check with your health visitor or paediatrician.
Ingredients
- 1 eggat room temperature
- 1 slice breadwhite or wholemeal
- ⅛ oz unsalted buttersoftened
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Bring a small pan of water to a steady simmer. Lower 1 egg in on a spoon and cook for 8 minutes, until the white is firm and the yolk set. The common mistake is the usual 4-minute soft-boiled egg: for small children the yolk should not run.
8 minStep 2: Meanwhile, toast 1 slice bread lightly, spread it thinly with ⅛ oz unsalted butter and cut it into fingers about 2 cm wide.
2 minStep 3: Cool the egg under cold running water for 30 seconds so you can handle it, then put it in an egg cup and slice off the top.
Step 4: Check the yolk is set all the way through. Scoop a little out and mash it onto the soldiers, or let your toddler dig in with a spoon. Peel away any shell pieces carefully.
Step 5: Boiled eggs are best eaten fresh. A peeled leftover egg can be cooled, kept covered in the fridge and eaten within 2 days, cold or mashed; don't freeze or reheat it in the microwave.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 165 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 13 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does œuf et mouillettes (egg and soldiers for toddlers) take?
- About 11 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 9 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 1 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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