Everyone has his or her own way of poaching an egg. Some twirl the egg into a ghostly tornado in a pot of water , some buy special poachers and some even cheat and bake them. (One of our favorites is cracking an egg into a greased ladle and holding it in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes.) This video, however, explains an even an easier way -- gently pouring eggs into vinegar-laced water.

Bay Area food editor Jenny Slafkosky here describes the particulars of poaching and how a little vinegar will help the albumin in the egg white coagulate (or firm up) more quickly. This is quite a discovery for those of us who love poaching eggs, all of whom have probably experienced watching them shred mercilessly in a pot of boiling water.

Slafkosky's simple method gets wonderful results, and -- a bonus! -- she also tells us how to make poached eggs for a whole crowd. Give it a click for flawless poached eggs down the road, and let us know how it goes!

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Hollandaise sauce doesn't have to be served over poached eggs and Canadian bacon to make Eggs Benedict. You can ladle it over tomatoes, avocados (now we're talking high fat), low-fat ham, even a simple salad-- but always on a good French or sourdough toast. The toast/sauce texture ratio is key. Also, don't be intimidated by the 'ole double boiler. It's quite easy to get the hang of and if you like chocolate...well, that's another post.

You will need:

• Medium double boiler
• 3 small sauce pans
• whisk
• spatula
• measuring spoons

Many an egg has been discarded after an unsuccessful poaching attempt. The eggs cook, but even after following every trick you've heard about adding vinegar, swirling the water around and using various cups to drop the egg in exactly the right place, eggs still manage to come out looking less than perfect. Using an egg poacher will help you get cleaner shape, with no tendrils of egg white snaking off into the water, but using a Flower Shaped Egg Poacher will get you a more interesting one. Made of nonstick metal, the poacher will release the eggs onto your plate as easily as it cooks them. It may not make a traditionally-shaped poached egg, but will add an interesting touch to your breakfast plating.