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How to Cook an Egg

By | May 01, 2016
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How to Cook an Egg (and Become a Brunchmaster)

Tip: fresher eggs are better for frying or poaching; slightly older eggs are better for boiling, as they're easier to peel

Boiled:

No one wants green eggs with their ham. Green-grey yolks are a result of eggs cooking for too long, or at too high a temperature. Here's how to forever banish the green yolk:

  • place eggs in a pot (in one layer), and add enough cold water to cover by one inch
  • bring the water to a full boil, then immediately cover with a lid and remove from heat
  • leave for 15 minutes
  • place eggs in a colander and run under cool water to stop cooking

How to peel a hard-boiled egg:

  • lightly tap the egg on the counter until it's crackled on all sides
  • gently roll the egg between your hands to loosen the shell
  • hold under cool running water, and start peeling at the large end
     

Poached:
 

Poaching the perfect egg takes some practice, but it helps to respect the rules of poaching:

  • bring the water to a simmer—a rolling boil will break apart your egg
  • never salt the wter, salt the egg after cooking
  • add a tablespon of white vinegar to the water
  • crack an egg into a ramekin, and tip the edge of the ramekin into the water, allowing the egg to cook a little before it leaves the ramekin—this helps to reduce white wispies
  • keep 'em moving—gently stir the water as the eggs cook
  • cook 3 minutes for a soft yolk, up to 5 minutes for a firmer yolk
  • remove from the watr with a slotted spoon and lay on a paper towl before serving

Tip: bring eggs up to room temperature before cooking or baking.
 

Scrambled:
 

Scrambled eggs seem so simple, but they can become a rubbery mess in the blink of an eye. Here's one way to make a soft, custardy scramble:

  • start with the freshest eggs possible
  • crack the eggs into a bowl and give them a good whip—a whisk beats a fork for getting rid of any trace of streakiness in the finished product
  • season lightly with salt
  • add some butter to the non-stick pan—seriously, just do it (or substitute oil if you must)
  • keep it slow and low—cooking at a lower temperature for a bit longer will keep the eggs moist and soft; for dryer eggs, raise the temperature a bit
  • using a heat-safe spatula, gently push the eggs from one side of the pan to the other, for about two minutes
  • remove from heat when eggs look slightly underdone—they will continue to set between the pan and the plate
  • add salt and pepper; eat immediately
     

Fried:
 

A few tips to conquer your fear of frying:

  • butter, butter, butter—even if using a nonstick pan (olive oil or cooking spray works too)
  • crack the egg into a ramekin
  • heat pan over medium heat, and add the egg when the butter is fully melted and just beginning to foam
  • for sunny-side up, cover the egg with a domed lid—preferably one slightly smaller than the pan, so it fits right over the egg
  • start checking after 2 minutes for the preferred level of doneness
  • for flipped eggs, skip the lid and turn the eggs as soon as the whites are fuly set but not hard, about 1-1.5 minutes
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