Amp Up Your Egg Dishes With Angostura Bitters

If you like unwinding with an evening digestif, then there's a good chance that a bottle of Angostura bitters is sitting in your bar cart already. If not, your local cocktail bar or neighborhood dive is certain to have it on their shelves, as it's an herbaceous blend that mixologists have been incorporating into cocktails since 1824. However, it's possible you haven't noticed it before, as the bottles they are sold in are fairly small.  

Angostura's portfolio has, in recent years, expanded to include orange bitters, cacao bitters, and Amaro di Angostura. But, when people say "Angostura," the classic aromatic bitters is typically what they're referring to. Angostura aromatic bitters are used similar to a liqueur, and they're foundational in the stripped-down Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails. They're also commonly used in Pink Gins, Negronis, and Whiskey Sours, and they're the key ingredient in the elusive Trinidad Sour — a few drops are also quite excellent in a can of Carling Black Label beer, as well. 

But, believe it or not, Angostura bitters can be used in more than just cocktails. That's right — angostura might be the secret ingredient in your next batch of (wait for it) ... eggs. 

Wine Enthusiast advises we "[t]hink of bitters like salt and pepper for a cocktail: a sprinkle of seasoning that balances out the flavors of a dish." It's a slightly bitter blend of 40 botanicals and spices designed to create flavor harmony, and it can also take your egg dishes to the next level. The House of Angostura itself created a "Be-Deviled Eggs" recipe, which blends Angostura bitters into a classic deviled egg filling of mayo, Pecorino Romano, Dijon mustard, and cayenne powder. 

The brand also suggests incorporating Angostura bitters in your next quiche recipe. A savory cheese soufflé would be a good fit for bitters, as well. According to Food 52, any time you're using other liquids in a recipe, they can be substituted for bitters — eggs Benedict with an Angostura hollandaise, anyone? 

If you're hesitant to cook with a bar ingredient, rest easy. Angostura bitters may pack an ABV of 44.7%, but since most recipes only use a dash, it's hardly coq a vin.