how to cook the perfect poached egg?

cbrown372

LondonDreamer wrote: »

This is the method I use and it always works. You can see a hilarious comparison of various methods on b3ta. That's what inspired me to use the cling film method and I wouldn't poach any other way now!

ETA: I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if this link has already been posted.

that is the funniest thing I have read for ages I'll try the cling film method later

antonia1

Right, this is a little embarrassing, but I don't know how to poach an egg without making a complete mess. I keep seeing those poach pod thingys, but don't want to spend a any money if I don't need to. Is there a simple (fool-proof) way?

poppy-glos

i use a small saucepan, bring the water to the boil, then down to simmer, break egg into a cup (take out any shell), then swirl the simmering water like it's going down the plughole with a wooden spoon, then tip the egg into the centre of the simmering water, simmer for a couple of minutes until white is cooked, then lift out with slotted spoon and put into a bowl of cold water, repeat for as many eggs as you wish to poach.

works for me

tori.k

With me being lazy, i found the best way was to line a ramakin with some clingfilm thats been sprayed with a little oil, twist the clingfilm to make it water tight and bung in a pan of simmering water for a few mins till the whites are cooked thru, unwrap and serve on toast..bonus is hardly any washing up

[Deleted User]

That is the best explanation, ever poppy glos, In all my 40 odd years, I have never been able to do a decent poached agg and I love them. That sounds as though it will work for me

ZsaZsa

antonia1 wrote: »

Right, this is a little embarrassing, but I don't know how to poach an egg without making a complete mess. I keep seeing those poach pod thingys, but don't want to spend a any money if I don't need to. Is there a simple (fool-proof) way?

I dont think its embarrassing at all- I've been wanting to know, and I've never eaten a poached egg! I really enjoy cooking and think I'm fairly competant, yet had to ask how to boil an egg when we had visitors

Pink.

Hi antonia,

For poached eggs the most important thing is that the egg is very fresh. I use Delia's method but break the egg into a saucer and slide it into the pan rather than dropping it from a great height.

This thread has loads more advice:

how to cook the perfect poached egg?

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

harz99

I must admit to using the microwave and those special little egg holder thingies.

Have to remember to give the egg yolk a good prodding with a sharp knife before cooking though, otherwise the resultant explosion both wakes you up quickly and makes a hell of a mess in the micro - ever tried getting bits of rubber egg off the inside...................:rotfl:

Idiophreak

antonia1 wrote: »

I keep seeing those poach pod thingys, but don't want to spend a any money if I don't need to.

I've got some and they don't work so good for me - they cook the bottom fine, but not the top...makes sense, I suppose...

CompBunny

If you fancy reading a funny yet enlightening cult (well, amongst online geeky circles) experiment surrounding the poached egg issue:

http://www.b3ta.com/features/howtopoachanegg/

It explores the virtues of various poaching methods, and will make you laugh along the way :P Although, I'm afraid one conclusion reached is "Delia is an idiot"!!