Poached Eggs Technique Recipes

EASY POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• In a 12-inch straight-sided skillet, heat 2 inches water over medium until bubbles cover the bottom and sides of pan. Crack each large egg into a separate small bowl (do not use eggs with broken yolks). When a few bubbles have broken the surface of the water, gently pour each egg into the pan, leaving room between them.
• Cook eggs, undisturbed, until white is just set and yolk is still runny, 3 to 4 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to gently release eggs from the bottom of pan, if necessary.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove eggs from water. If using immediately, blot the bottom of the spoon on a paper towel to remove excess water before serving.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a gentle simmer. Crack an egg into a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl. Let watery whites run through into bowl below; carefully transfer egg to a small bowl (this helps eliminate the long, tentacle-like strands of egg white that may otherwise form, and encourages a smooth, round poached egg).
• Stir simmering water with a slotted spoon to make a gentle vortex. Tip egg out of bowl into center of vortex and swirl water gently to help bring whites up around yolk. Repeat with 3 more eggs so there are 4 eggs total in saucepan. Cook until whites are just set but yolk is still very soft (lift out of water with a slotted spoon and gently press on yolk to assess), about 2 1/2 minutes from the time each egg hits the water. Transfer to a warm plate with slotted spoon. Season eggs with salt and pepper just before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Eggs can be poached 1 day ahead. Transfer to a bowl of ice water instead of warm plate. Cover and chill. Reheat in barely simmering water 1 minute before serving.

POACHED EGGS TECHNIQUE

Steps:

• Put water 1-1/2 inches deep in a large skillet and bring to boil.
• Add salt and vinegar for a fimer but less shiny egg.
• Reduce heat to a slow simmer.
• One at a time, break eggs into a saucer and slip into barely simmering water, keeping eggs as separated as possible.
• Cover skillet untill egg whites coat over yolks.
• Remove cover. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until whites are firm but yolks are still soft when touched with the back of a spoon.
• With a slotted pancake turner, lift each egg from the water and rest on a folded paper towel to absorb excess water.
• Trim away the loose thin white.
• Place on serving plate or recipe calling for poached egg.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat the water: Add enough water to come 1 inch up the side of a narrow, deep 2-quart saucier. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 teaspoons white vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, crack 1 very fresh cold large egg into a custard cup or small ramekin. Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it's all smoothly spinning around.
• TIP: Use this whirlpool method when poaching a single serving (one or two eggs). For bigger batches, heat the water, salt and vinegar in a 12-inch nonstick skillet and do not stir.
• Add the egg: Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from "feathering," or spreading out in the pan.
• Let it poach: Turn off the heat, cover the pan and set your timer for 5 minutes. Don't peek, poke, stir or accost the egg in any way.
• Lift it out: Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. Alternatively, move the egg to an ice bath and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Reheat in warm water just before serving.

PERFECT POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with at least 3 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce temperature to low--the water is ready when you see bubbles at the bottom of the pot, but there should be no bubbles breaking the surface of the water.
• Crack egg into a small-mesh sieve, allow it to drain, and then transfer the egg to a small bowl or ramekin in order to avoid a runny egg white. This step will give you a better-shaped poached egg with tighter whites.
• When water is at the right temperature, stir in about 1 tablespoon white vinegar which helps the egg white coagulate. Using a spoon, swirl the water in the center of the pot into a vortex or whirlpool, and carefully add egg to the center. Cook until egg white is set, but the yolk is still soft and runny, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcook.
• Transfer the egg to a paper towel to remove excess water using a slotted spoon. Serve immediately.

SKILLET POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Fill a large skillet, ideally one with straight, tall sides, with water to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Using a slotted spoon, carefully place the whole, uncracked eggs in the water and roll them around for 15 to 20 seconds, so they're evenly warm. Take them out of the skillet. Add the vinegar to the boiling water.
• Crack the eggs into the boiling water one at a time, spacing them apart (if they're too hot to the touch, wait a few seconds until they feel OK to handle). Adjust the heat to keep the water steadily and lightly boiling. Let the eggs poach until the whites are opaque and firm, and the yolks are set to your desired doneness, 3 to 6 minutes. Gently nudge the yolk with the spoon to check for doneness: Very runny yolks will wobble like a water balloon; standard runny yolks will feel soft but set; firm yolks will feel solid.
• Transfer to paper towels with the slotted spoon and gently pat dry. Butter toast and layer with ham and cheese, if using. Place poached eggs on top, season with salt and pepper, and top with another pat of butter, if you like.

PESTO RISOTTO WITH CANNELLINI BEANS, TOMATOES, AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Slowly pour in white wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until wine is absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup broth, stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed. Working in batches, continue adding 1/2 cup broth at a time, stirring until all broth is absorbed. When done, rice should be tender and creamy. (Step 2 should take 20 to 25 minutes total.)
• Stir Parmesan cheese, pesto, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1 tablespoon vinegar into the risotto. Keep warm.
• Combine beans, tomatoes, and salt in a small saucepan. Cook, covered, over medium heat, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a 10-inch skillet, bring 4 cups water and the remaining vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer (bubbles should begin to break the surface of the water). Break an egg into a custard cup. Hold the lip of the cup close to water and slip egg into water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Use a slotted spoon to remove from skillet.
• Serve risotto topped with tomato-bean mixture, poached eggs, and remaining parsley. Sprinkle with pepper.