The Independent Woman and The Poached Egg

[OrangeFlowersAreLovely]

Lived on my own for 16 years. Happily single. Own house. Own car. Own money. Own mind.

You come to my house... I'll cook you anything. Roast dinner, curry, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, omelette. Anything you want.

For the life of me I cannot do a poached egg. I've asked other people, I've watched endless videos on YouTube, I've googled it. Yesterday I asked a B&B owner who gave me new advice... I got hopeful. Today I've wasted four eggs before 8.30am.

I fucking give up.

You need one of these Water in the bottom egg in each section

I use the microwave too. But I have had a few explosions in the past when the level was too high.

Although I can do them in a pan, but find it a bit if a faff when the micro version is so easy.

For me what makes the difference is the pan that you use. Not a pot, but a frying pan type pan. I use a non stick one that has slightly higher sides. Then just put about halfway of water in. I think it has something to do with that the albumen doesn't have far to travel, so it doesn't sink like in a pot.

Try again this way OP.

If all else fails, micro is a good fall back technique.

I use a non non stick one. So not a non stick 😂. Just to clear that typo up.

Yep this. James Martin was on telly the other week and said if you don't have fresh eggs don't bother.

I use only very fresh eggs. Simmer about 1 inch of water in a small frying pan, no smelly vinegar needed. Add the eggs one at a time. I take mine out with an old odd shaped potato masher.

I'm not a particularly great cook but can do poached eggs nicely. This is my very simple method:

Half fill a small saucepan with water and bring to the boil.

Turn the heat down so it's bubbling only very, very slightly. (If your water is bubbling quickly, the eggs start to separate and disintegrate and become a mess when you put them in).

Crack 2 eggs in 2 separate ramekins. Be gentle, don't break the yolk.

Gently / slowly tip the eggs into the saucepan.

Set the timer for 3 minutes ( or if you are having toast, push the bread down when you put the eggs in the pan, and the eggs will be done when it pops up).

Lift them out with any slotted utensil.

You can put whatever you want on them now!

Don't swirl the water, no need to put anything else in the water, no need to use super-fresh eggs. As long as they are in date I use them.

This method hasn't failed me so far. Give it a try!

Pyrex jug
Fill to 200ml with boiling water
Stir
Crack egg in
Microwave for 45-50 seconds
Done

YYY tonsilicone poaching pods.

I can't do it either, op, and both my dc have shown me how but it never works for me. I can do most other things in the kitchen but not this.

@OrangeFlowersAreLovely have you tried putting the egg in a tea strainer first? It’ll get rid of the snotty bits and then you just need 2 and a half minutes in lightly sated simmering water.

The fresher the eggs the better, as it’s to do with the protein in the white I think, as they get older they’ll stop being as cohesive and you’ll lose the entire white if the egg is old and use the above technique!

I was like you but I genuinely haven’t since I found this technique (other than when I have broken the yolk )

The only thing that matters with a poached egg is the freshness.

Buy a hen

Collect the egg

Crack into a pan of swirly water, wait 2 or 3 minutes, drain, eat.

Here is my approach to poached eggs.

Go to cafe, read paper and relax whilst a person that can make them does.

At home, do scrambled.

I think everyone has one thing they can't cook
My mum could cook and bake anything, did an Indian cookery course, a cake decorating course, everything. She couldn't make scones to save her life (hot hands I think)
I can, which infuriated her

The younger the hen, the more albumen so as well as fresh eggs you want ones from young hens.... Hard to do this with supermarket eggs but younger hens do tend to lay smaller eggs so don't get the really big ones!

I think there are some things not worth bothering with.

I got a flat recently. Could definitely have put the spare on myself (with a lot of effort, dirt and swearing) but called the AA i stead. I pay for the service , it was bastard hot and I was wearing white.

Sometimes it's good to let someone else do things. Sounds like poached eggs is one of those things for you.

Whatever. 😬

You are awesome by the way 😎