I love poached eggs – simply in a bowl with butter, salt and pepper, or on an eggs benedict, or even on a salad of Frisee and croutons. As my favorite way to enjoy an egg, I really needed to figure out how to do it very well, but quickly and easily. Years ago I began by trying the swirling water method, I tried adding vinegar to the water….basically I tried every method I came across! But I never reached a no-fail comfort zone with poaching eggs until I hit upon this one morning - and I’ve never looked back. Simple to an extreme, but as reliable as you could hope for.
Begin with fresh eggs, and crack them into a seperate dish so you can fish out any bits of shell that may sneak in.
Spray the bottom of a wide shallow non-stick pan with cooking oil spray. Add about an inch of water to the pan and bring the water almost to a simmer.
Just as the little water bubbles are starting to break the surface (but not boiling), slide your eggs into the water.
Spoon some of the hot water on top of the eggs, cover the pan, and turn OFF the heat. Walk away for about three to four minutes, then remove the cover.
There’s your poached egg! If not quite set, cover again for a minute or so, or spoon more hot water on top to finish setting. Remove with a slotted spoon and blot the bottom on a folded paper towel. Enjoy them alone, or in your favorite poached egg recipe – like this one! Lobster Artichoke Eggs Benedict
Timeless Gourmet
Love it! Gotta try and let you know about it!!!
I like the idea about spooning a bit of water over the eggs. I usually have more that enough water to cover the whole thing, but if not, this is an excellent suggestion.
I also usually add a bit of rice vinegar or white vinegar. It helps the eggs not fall apart. Of course having the freshest eggs available also helps.
I SO have to try this! I too have tried all of those other methods, and even resorted to “cheating” and buying some little contraption that you set in the pot with boiling water, but it’s not the same. I am saving this one and will be trying soon!
Alta
Oh! I bought that contraption too! Not even close…but like I said, I think I tried everything!
I tried this and it worked great! I’d never poached an egg before so I’m fortunate to now think I must be really good at it since it worked so well
Just kidding, it must be the method. I even forgot to spoon the hot water over the top and it still worked well. Thanks for the great technique.
Good man, good!! I am not a poach egg guy, but I normally prepare my normally baked eggs in a similar way, but without water. I like the yellow to be soft and the white to be a little crispy. Before taking the egg out/off the pan – I flip it once on the sunny side and immediately onto my bread with nice fresh black pepper!! I also uses jam with my bread and the egg, the way I was used to do in the Army in 1980! Nice sweet/sour combination! Cheers
I love eggs, and have never tried poaching them myself. Yours looks wonderful!
Yeah I do them exactly like that, just I add a cap full of vinegar to the water…I feel it helps seal egg better…but this one looks perfect ..well done
My dad always ate poached eggs but I never really new how to make them.
Thanks
I’m going to try this first thing tomorrow for breakfast. I always wondered if there was a way to do this without wasting a dozen eggs!
Thank you for the tips. Egg is my fav food to eat specially poached. I never was able to get the perfect poached egg. Will give this a try. The direction with pic is so helpful.