You walked into a restaurant and saw poached eggs next to your usual scrambled eggs. The poached eggs were much more expensive…why? It is because preparing poached eggs requires a dedicated pot if you want to create that texture on the outside while leaving the yolk intact.
It might seem challenging to boil poached eggs, but it is not. You only need to follow the instructions, and you’ll be on your way to a fancy dinner with your guests.
So, if you want to go the extra mile and offer something different for your next meal, why don’t you try this recipe? As we always do on this site, you will get the step-by-step with detailed instructions and a video (just in case you’re the visual type).
Contents
How to boil poached eggs, step by step
Don’t be tricked by the effect you see after cutting your poached eggs for the first time in the restaurant. You may wonder what they do to keep it soft inside while cooking the egg white only. Well, you don’t need a special machine or anything besides your pot and a spatula.
Here’s the step-by-step recipe on how to boil poached eggs:
Step1 : Heat water with vinegar and salt
Place a large pot of water on the stove over high heat. Once the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. Allow the water to simmer until you are ready to use it. Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and two pinches of salt. Stir for a short while until the water returns to a boil.
Step 2: Add one egg and boil for two and a half minutes
Instead of cracking the egg directly in the pot, do it in a bowl or ramekin, and then take it to the pot. This way, you ensure that the yolk does not break and your poached eggs are free from pieces of shell. It is also more manageable this way, because you can pour the egg in just one move, which helps create the effect you want.
Step 3: Move the egg white toward the yolk with a spatula
After step two, you will see that the egg white starts to cook around the yolk, which is the effect you want. But sometimes, the yolk leaks out, so we recommend using a spatula to move the egg white towards the yolk when the egg is still boiling.
Step 4: Take out and dry
Leave the egg for two and a half minutes, and after this time has passed, use a slotted spoon to take the egg out of the pot. After doing so, let it sit for a little while, and remove excess water with a paper towel. If you leave the egg for an extended period, the yolk will start to cook and you want it to stay fluid. And that’s how to boil poached eggs without any additional tools or a machine. But now let’s prepare something else to eat with your poached eggs.
Step 5: Spread butter in a frying pan
Now you have the poached eggs ready to eat, and while we recommend eating them right away, there’s still time to prepare one or two pieces of toast to accompany the eggs. To do that, heat a frying pan on the stove, and when it is very hot, take one or two tablespoons of butter and spread it in the frying pan.
Step 6: Make toast with bread
Take a slice of bread and prepare toast with butter in the frying pan. Flip your toast a few times in the frying pan until it browns and feels crunchy.
Step 7: Cut in slices and serve
Remember that poached eggs should be eaten as soon as possible after preparation, so do not take much time and cut the toast in slices to serve.
What can you serve with poached eggs?
Poached eggs are an alternative and fancy approach to your usual eggs. Now you know how to boil poached eggs and the most basic accompaniment (i.e., toast). This is important, because you’re probably not planning to serve poached eggs alone in a dish. Bread is usually enough and a great option to enjoy the yolk. But you can also clean the leftovers off the plate with other foods. So, what else can you serve with poached eggs?
Here’s a table of options you can try:
| Options to serve with poached eggs | Advantages | Disadvantages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh smoked salmon | This is a very good option if you want to keep it light and nutritious. It is also a source of energy and protein and excellent for fancy meals and important guests. | It is an expensive option and not suitable for heavy meals. | You can eat salmon and poached eggs for breakfast or brunch. It can also be an option if you want a light dinner. |
| Spinach with cream or sauce | Besides an excellent taste, creamy spinach also has many vitamins and minerals. | Not everyone may like the taste of spinach, even if it is accompanied by cream or sauce. | To achieve the perfect taste and texture, simmer spinach for a very short period. Hollandaise sauce is an excellent option if you don’t know what type to buy. |
| Potatoes and tacos | It is a satiating and very complete meal, suitable for many occasions, especially casual and informal. It is also a Mexican-style meal with a crunchy texture. | Crispy tacos are definitely not an option if you’re worried about eating a healthy meal. They should be fried to adopt a crispy texture and are usually accompanied by high-fat sauces. | To build your meal, fry the tortilla, bake the potatoes and put them on top, followed by the poached eggs. You won’t need to add sauces, because the yolk will spread around as soon as you bite or squeeze. |
| Avocados and black beans | This meal vegetarian as long as your guests consume eggs. They contain vegetable protein, dietary fiber and healthy fats and also have a distinct taste that goes very well with poached eggs. | Black beans are probably not the best option if you have gut problems (especially flatulence and gas) because they contain the type of dietary fiber that feeds the gut microbiota and, in many cases, causes intestinal gas. | You can use this option at lunch or dinner. In some cases, you can also eat avocados and black beans for breakfast, but that depends on the culture in which you live. |
| Pancakes and chorizo | This has a fantastic texture and an excellent taste and smell. It is a blend of cultures and cuisines and it is a fulfilling food that won’t take you long to cook. | This is a salty option and not suitable for people with high blood pressure and heart problems. You should drink plenty of fluids with this meal to avoid the consequences of salty foods. | This is an example of Mediterranean cuisine, especially Greek cuisine if you choose a type of pancake known as halloumi. |
The choice is yours, and there are many other options we haven’t considered, above. For example, you can eat your poached eggs with salad and even make a ratatouille if you know where to look.
People say that one egg can save the day, and now that you know how to boil poached eggs, new options are opening for you and your guests.
How to boil poached eggs (Recipe)
Equipment
- Stove and pot
- Spatula
- Ramekin or small bowl
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of vinegar
- Salt
- Egg
- Butter
- Bread
Instructions
- Heat water with vinegar and salt
- Add one egg and boil for two and a half minutes
- Move the egg white toward the yolk with a spatula
- Take out and dry
- Spread butter in a frying pan
- Make toast with bread
- Cut in slices and serve
Notes
- In this article, you have learned how to boil poached eggs with salt and vinegar water. But you can also try poaching the eggs without adding salt and see how it turns out. It is sometimes a matter of preference.
- Some chefs recommend creating a vortex in the boiling water before pouring in the egg. Swirl around carefully when you try this technique. Remember, it is boiling water. This is only recommended if you are boiling one egg. More than one will cause problems.
- You should use a deep pot of water if you want a more spherical shape. You can also use a shallow pot, but the shape of the eggs will be flat.
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