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Eggs are a kitchen staple. They’re cheap, easy to find, and packed with protein. But with so many ways to cook them, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide will show you how to cook eggs in every way imaginable. Get ready to become an egg-cooking expert!
Boiling Eggs: Soft, Medium, and Hard
Boiled eggs are a simple and healthy option. The best part is, the cooking process is the same for all types. The only thing that changes is the time!
Here’s how to boil eggs:
- Carefully place the eggs in a pot.
- Add cold water until the eggs are covered.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Set a timer based on how you want your eggs cooked.
- Soft-boiled: 5 minutes
- Medium-boiled: 7 minutes
- Hard-boiled: 10 minutes
While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath. This will stop the cooking process as soon as you take the eggs out of the boiling water. After the timer goes off, put the eggs in the ice bath to cool.
What to Expect
- Soft-boiled eggs have a set white and a runny yolk.
- Medium-boiled eggs have a firm white and a jammy yolk.
- Hard-boiled eggs have a firm white and yolk.
Poaching Eggs: A Delicate Art
Poached eggs are often seen as fancy. But they are easy to make with a few tips. The key is to keep the egg together while it cooks.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add a splash of vinegar. The vinegar helps the egg keep its shape.
- Crack an egg into a fine mesh strainer to remove some of the extra white.
- Create a vortex in the boiling water.
- Carefully drop the egg into the center of the vortex.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the egg and trim any extra bits.
Poached eggs are great on toast, salads, or as part of Eggs Benedict.
Fried Eggs: Over Easy, Medium, or Hard
Fried eggs are a classic breakfast food. The difference between over easy, medium, and hard is how long you cook them after flipping.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Crack the egg into the pan.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Cook until the white is set.
- Flip the egg with a spatula.
- Over Easy: Cook for a few seconds after flipping. The yolk should still be runny.
- Over Medium: Cook for a bit longer after flipping. The yolk should be gooey.
- Over Hard: Cook until the yolk is fully set.
Sunny Side Up: A Beautiful Egg
Sunny side up eggs are cooked without flipping. The white is set, but the yolk is still runny.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add extra butter to the pan.
- Crack the egg into the pan.
- Cover the pan with a lid. This will help the top of the egg white cook.
- Cook for 30-45 seconds, until the white is set.
- Add chili oil or chili crisp.
- Drizzle brown butter over the egg.
Scrambled Eggs: Creamy and Delicious
Scrambled eggs can be tricky. It is easy to overcook them. The secret is to cook them low and slow.
- Crack eggs into a cold, nonstick pan.
- Add small cubes of butter.
- Turn the heat to medium-low.
- Stir the eggs constantly, taking the pan off the heat for 30 seconds. Then place the pan back on the heat for 30 seconds. This will keep the eggs from overcooking.
- Season with salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon powder.
- Cook until the eggs are set but still a bit glossy.
- Serve with chives.
French Omelet: A Test of Skill
The French omelet is a classic dish that takes practice to perfect. The key is to cook the eggs slowly and evenly.
- Whisk eggs with a fork (not a whisk). This avoids too many air bubbles.
- Turn the burner to medium-low heat.
- Add butter to the pan.
- Pour the eggs into the pan.
- Scrape the sides of the pan to keep the edges clean.
- Cook the eggs slowly and evenly, moving the pan off the heat as needed.
- Add toppings or seasonings.
- Fold the omelet onto a plate.
- Garnish with chives.
Which Egg Will You Cook?
Now you know how to cook eggs in every way possible! From simple boiled eggs to fancy French omelets, there’s an egg for everyone. Try these methods and find your favorite way to enjoy this incredible food.