The Perfect Poached Egg
photo by Debbwl
- Ready In:
- 12mins
- Ingredients:
- 5
- Serves:
-
2
ingredients
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 large eggs, fresh
- water
- salt
- pepper
directions
- Start with a fresh egg. If the egg isn't fresh, the egg white deteriorates which leads to that jellyfish-like tendrils of whites seen with some poached eggs. To test for freshness, drop the egg into water. If it sinks, its fresh and perfect for poaching and souffles. If it stays submerged but lays with its wide-end up, its older but still good for most recipes. If it floats, throw it out.
- Pour 1/2 cup vinegar into each of 2 small bowls. Crack 1 egg into each bowl, taking care not to break the yolk. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Using a whisk, vigorously swirl the water until a vortex forms in the center. Slip 1 egg with the vinegar into the vortex and continue to swirl the water with the whisk around the edges of the pan until it returns to a boil. The egg white should wrap tightly around the yolk, forming an oval shape.
- As soon as the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and gently simmer the egg, frequently swirling the water, for 2 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, lift the egg from water and use kitchen shears to trim any stray pieces of egg white. Place the egg on paper towels and gently blot; transfer the egg to a bowl or plate. Repeat with remaining egg. Season with salt and pepper.
Questions & Replies
Got a question?
Share it with the community!
Reviews
-
I made a few adjustments to simplify the cooking of the eggs, first I only used 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per egg and once the water came to a boil I removed the pan from the heat and slowly added both eggs, covered and let cook for about 3 1/2 minutes, they came out nice and firm with creamy egg yolks. I served these over biscuits and sausage gravy topped with some pepper and salt., Thanks for a simple and quick breakfast. Made for Spring 2012 Photo Tag.
-
Excellent poached eggs! The method was perfect and easy to follow. The poached eggs were done perfectly. I've always had those white stragglers when poaching eggs. This time I had none...no need to trim! My only advice is to either have separate pots of water going or when finished with the first egg, dump the water and start fresh. I used the same pot of water for the second egg (with the already added 1/2 C vinegar from the first egg) and by the time the second amount of vinegar was added it did leave a bit of vinegar flavor on my second egg. Thank you for posting the perfect poached egg recipe!
-
This is a great recipe. Easy to follow, the eggs are quick and super easy to make. The eggs turned out perfectly poached. Tender and runny just the way I love them. They were excellent served on a lightly toasted English muffin, seasoned with salt and pepper and garnished with brown sugared bacon. Thank you for sharing a recipe that I will make again. Made FYC Tag Game.
-
Great way to make poached eggs!! I also followed Papa D's suggestion, as I didn't want to waste that much vinegar and was afraid of it having a strong vinegar flavor but still used 1/4 cup vinegar with my one egg. Served my on toasted sour dough bread along with 1/2 of a grapefruit for a wonderful breakfast. Congrats again on your win in the football pool!!!
see 3 more reviews
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
breezermom
United States