Different ways to poach an egg

Poached eggs are great, but can take a little bit of practice until you get them just right. How does one make the perfect poached egg rather than just an eggy mess? There are many techniques out there, so here are a few ideas for you to experiment with and find out which works best for you:

The Whisker

A common approach is to create a whirlpool in your pan by whisking the boiling water (be careful!) which will help the egg hold its shape when it’s put in as it’ll wrap around itself. Use a whisk instead of a spoon (important!) Once the egg is in the pan, turn the heat down and let it simmer for three minutes. 

The Sitter

Fill a small frying pan with about 2.5cm of boiled water. Break the egg in and leave it there to simmer for a minute. Turn the heat off and leave it to sit in the hot water for 10 more minutes.

The Dunker

Now, time to try something a little different. Firstly, half-fill a pan with water and let it simmer.  Line a bowl with cling film and lightly grease it with a drop of vegetable oil. Break the egg into the bowl and then twist the cling film shut. Then lower the pouch into the pan and cook it for 3 minutes. Next, dunk the whole thing in iced water; when the bag is cool release the egg from the cling film and there you have it!

The Poacher

Or you can forget all of that and just buy yourself an egg poacher, which is nice and easy to use. Start by boiling water in a pan (deep enough to allow the poacher to float). Put the poacher in the water and then crack the egg into it and cook for around 10-15mintues. Then carefully take out the poacher and serve.

Age Matters

Another important thing to take into account when poaching is the age of your eggs (unless you’re cooking in a poacher). If the eggs you are using are a little older and not fresh, then the white won’t coagulate properly. Just a drop of vinegar is effective in helping the congealing process. A tip to checking how fresh your eggs are is to place them into a bowl of water, the more it floats the older it is.

So there you are; plenty of ways to poach an egg!  Are you a dunker, whisker, sitter or poacher? Try them all and see which one turns out the best. Once you know your preferred method, check out our poached egg recipes and cook up some really tasty and nutritious meals. Got any ideas of your own? Get in touch and let us know!