Poached Eggs

Perfect poached eggs

Poached eggs, so good! But what’s the best way? After a lot of trial and error, here are some hints to make it easier.

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Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • eggs
  • 1 quart water
  • 1 tsp vinegar (12%)
  • 1 tsp oil

Instructions

  • Fill a pan of water, but make sure it is no more than 2 inches deep. You want the egg suspended between the bottom of the pan and the water surface, but no more than that.
  • Add the vinegar to the water. It reduces surface tension, which is good for eggs that aren’t farm fresh.
  • Allow the eggs to come to room temperature before cooking.
  • Use a small bowl and add a few drops of vegetable oil. Brush the inside of it (with your finger).
    Bowl with oil for poaching eggs
  • Crack the eggs, one at a time in the bowl before adding them to the pan. The oil makes them slide out of the bowl real easy. And the bowl allows you to drop them in a lot smoother into the simmering water. It is better than cracking the egg directly into the water.
    Egg in bowl for poaching
  • Make sure the water is simmering, 195° F, but no hotter. You don’t want bubbles going up, rupturing the egg. The water must be completely still.
    Poached eggs: simmering
  • Pour the egg into the water at once, close to the surface.
    Poached egg in pan
  • Leave the eggs for 3.5 – 4 minutes. The time depends a little on the size of the eggs.
  • Transfer the eggs into another pan with cold water, for 5 – 10 seconds. Then remove them again. This is done to stop the cooking, and get rid of any residual vinegar. Use a skimmer or a large flat spoon.

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