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Friday 20 April 2012

The Perfect Poached Egg!

I love eggs!  Seriously, I could live on them.

My favourite breakfast is poached egg, on whole wheat toast with unsweetened grapefruit juice.  I got started on this when I was a teenager and my mom was going to Weight Watcher's.  Back in the day that was one of their breakfast options.  This is way, way, way before they had the points programme!

A poached egg can be a thing of beauty or a runny, stringy mess.  So, I've studied every technique out there to get a perfect poach every time.

I start with a free range or free run egg.  There's more body to the white and the yolk is a lovely, orangey yellow colour.

Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a stainless steel pot.  Add about 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar to the water.

Take the pot off the burner to let the water drop down just below the boiling point and swirl the water with a spoon.  The combination of vinegar and whirlpool action in the water will stop the white from separating into stringy stuff.  Carefully crack the egg into the water and return to the burner.  Turn the heat down to low and pop down the toaster.

By the time the toast is done, your egg is ready. ~



I use a slotted spoon to lift the egg out of the water and let it drain for a couple of seconds.  The white is cooked through but not rubbery.  Runny egg whites are gross!  Bleccchhh!  Place the egg on a lightly buttered piece of toast. 

Next to eggs, I love pepper!  I've added a good grind of mixed peppercorns to mine.

Look at the colour in this free range yoke! ~


I didn't have time for any staged shots, so you see crumbs and all here.  I just had time to gobble this down before I went off to work on my rental property!


31 comments:

  1. Oh- I love a poached egg, too, but I like my yolk completely set. I often do my own in a bowl in the microwave with a T of water and a lid on top...comes out perfect every time. xo Diana

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    1. I've never tried it in the microwave. Do you have to pierce the yolk so it doesn't explode?

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  2. Well now I know what will be for breakfast tomorrow! Thanks for teaching me how to make poached eggs. One of my favorite comfort foods! I'd love it if you'd share on my ne linky party starting on Tuesday April 24th! www.kathewithane.com

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    1. Thanks, Kathe. I'd love to be part of your linky party!

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  3. I'm curious to know if the whirlpool idea is your own. I've never had much success with poaching and now I know why. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Hope you are getting some help on your rental.

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    1. The whirlpool idea came from some TV chef, years ago. I can't give him credit because I can't remember who he was. The addition of vinegar comes from an antique cookbook. The only thing I figured out was dropping the water below the boil before I added the egg and using free run eggs, which are less watery.
      I'll post about where we are at with the rental in the next few days.

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  4. Maureen,
    Ok you've got me wanting a poached egg. Sounds like you've been doing that a long time. I can't remember the last time I made one or tried to.
    Thank you for sharing your tecnique.
    Pat

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  5. Seriously, I have been up since 4 and this looks so tasty! Lots of sea salt and cracked pepper. Yum!

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    1. If you've been up since 4, you can consider this supper!

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  6. Maureen this looks so good! Now I want a poached egg this morning! I've never heard of adding vinegar. I love old cookbooks....they're full of surprises!

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    1. It's funny that I rarely use cookbooks, but love to read them. Especially, vintage ones!

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  7. Wow, this brings back happy memories, my dad taught me how to make poached eggs this way. I love poached eggs and I think I am going to have some this morning, thanks.

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  8. I just read this and had to have a poached egg for breakfast. This was my first attempt at making one and it turned out great. Thanks so much!!

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  9. A staple in any house for sure! Dan makes ours...with vinegar of course! Funny how certain foods become a comfort food just because you've been having it your whole life! Yours looks yum! xo wendy

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  10. That's my all time favorite breakfast too,and I even eat it off of a Blue Willow plate!
    Karee

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    1. Only Karee would look to see what dish I eat my eggs from! lol

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  11. You have to admit the blue willow is the perfect dish. Blue and white dish and lovely yellow and white egg. Perfect way to start the day - yummy and oh so beautifully presented.

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    1. I never even thought of staging this. It's simply the plate I usually eat it off.

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  12. my husband's fave breakfast. thanks for the tip.

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  13. O.K. I don't like poached eggs, but my husband does! I'll have to try this because I never have good luck with fixing them for him.

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  14. Okay, poachers as we fondly call them around here are my favourite. Actually when having breakfast out, I usually forgo the fancy order and simply ask for a poached egg...crazy.

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    1. Me, too, unless I am going home to northern Ontario. Then, I want the Fisherman Special. That's 2 fried eggs with fried potatoes and bacon!

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  15. Oh my maureen, yes...I can live on Eggs too. In fact poached egg to me is the most perfect thing ever. I love them with some fried bacon, on toast or even just like that. Yum. I didn't know about this vinegar thing...Need to try. I have this poach maker, thats non stick and you can directly put it on heat over oven.

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    1. Okay, that's a third thing I love. Mmmmmm, bacon!

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  16. Lynn @ www.etsy.com/2becherished22 April 2012 at 12:45

    As you know, I am not a fan of the poached egg. BUT, I will have to give this method a try. It looks delicious.

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