Perfectly Poached Eggs - Tip of the Day

by Alexa Weibel, Posted Nov 13th 2009 @ 9:00AM

Say goodbye to overcooked yolks or disintegrating egg whites -- perfectly poached eggs are easy with these useful tips.

The poached egg is a fairly simple task -- but perfecting it is an art. With a paper-thin trim surrounding the fluffy yet firm egg-white mass, the viscous center should burst out as a runny yolk when barely touched. Say goodbye to hardened, flavorless yolks or disintegrated whites with these helpful tips.

Use fresh eggs, to avoid the whites thinning out, making the eggs a less sculpted mass. The whites of fresh eggs form a neater, protective shape -- and will protect the delicate yolk.
Using a frying pan, make sure you use enough water to allow the eggs float above the bottom but also be fully immersed, with extra water on top.
Crack the eggs into individual little bowls or ramekins, then carefully slide the eggs into the water to maintain their shape.
Create a vortex: Swirling the water before gently sliding in the eggs prevents them from sticking to the bottom.
Water temperature is also key: If the water is too hot, the whites will be too firm and the yolk overcooked; if it's not warm enough, the egg will separate. Bring the water to a boil, then lower to a hot simmer before adding the eggs.
Once the egg is immersed, you may quickly nudge the white closer to the yolk with a spoon if the egg seems to be separating; otherwise try not to disturb the egg. Turn off the heat and put a lid over the frying pan.
Cook 3 to 5 minutes, until the desired firmness is achieved.
Remove with a slotted spoon, allow the excess water to drip off into the pan, and serve immediately.

How do you cook your poached eggs? Do you use vinegar or avoid it? Share your poaching advice in the comments.

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: brunch, egg, eggs, perfectly poached egg, perfectly poached eggs, PerfectlyPoachedEgg, PerfectlyPoachedEggs, poached egg recipe, poached eggs, PoachedEggRecipe, PoachedEggs, poaching eggs, PoachingEggs