Best Poached Eggs Instructions Recipes

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.

POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• If making ahead, prepare an ice-water bath fitted with a sieve; set aside.
• Fill a large straight-sided skillet with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Add vinegar and return to a boil. Break one egg into a small heatproof bowl. Placing lip of bowl in the water, gently tip the bowl to slide egg carefully into pan. Use a large slotted spoon to fold the edges of the white over the egg, for a neater edge. Repeat with remaining eggs.
• Cook until whites are just set but the yolks are still soft, they should still move around inside, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Lift out eggs with a slotted spoon or small mesh sieve and briefly rest on bread to allow eggs to drain. Trim edges with a knife for a prettier presentation before serving on toast, if desired, and seasoned with salt and pepper.
• To make ahead, immediately place eggs in an ice-water bath to stop the cooking, then transfer to a bowl of cool water (it should just reach the tops of the eggs). If storing longer than an hour, place bowl in refrigerator (covered) for up to 24 hours. Reheat by briefly placing eggs in a pan of barely simmering water, just until warmed through. Serve on toast, if desired, seasoned with salt and pepper.

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.