Eggs are regulars at our table. But, unfortunately, the menu often consists of fried or boiled eggs, while such a simple product can be used to prepare an exquisite poached egg - a real gourmet delight.
Do you remember the famous song of the group “Disco Crash” about eggs? And the guys were right - this is an indispensable product in our diet. Delicious, healthy.
And there are countless number of dishes that can be prepared with eggs . This product is also interesting as an independent dish and there are many options for its preparation. Scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs, soft-boiled eggs, poached eggs, Benedict. In this article we will take a closer look at what a poached egg is and what it is eaten with.
What is a poached egg?
The beautiful name hides an equally beautiful and delicate dish. Poached eggs came to us from France , where in a short period of time they gained popularity both among the nobility and among ordinary people. Simplicity of preparation and a minimum of time spent are the main advantages of this dish .
A poached egg is an incredibly delicate product that can be a stand-alone dish or a wonderful addition to others.
We think a poached egg is the perfect breakfast. But residents of France are accustomed to adding it to sandwiches and lunch snacks. In French, the name of this dish sounds like “eggs scalded with boiling water.” Here you can hear another name - eggs in a bag . But you don’t need a bag to prepare them. Simply crack an egg into boiling water and wait a couple of minutes - and voila, the delicate delicacy is ready.
Perhaps the name “in a bag” is associated with the appearance of an egg prepared using this technology. Delicate white petals envelop the yolk like a bag. And in this bag there is a creamy consistency of the yolk. So it turns out: the egg white bag is completely cooked, but the yolk has only stuck a little. Before serving , the whites are cut slightly so that the yolk flows out of this kind of pouch.
French delicacy
The named dish came to us from France. Thanks to the correct cooking technique, the consistency of the egg yolk is creamy, and only the white hardens. There are several ways to cook a poached egg. An important condition during cooking is to observe certain subtleties.
Preparing a gourmet treat is a complex technology that is not so easy to comprehend, which is why for many, poached eggs remain a restaurant dish. However, there are times when an irresistible desire arises to enjoy this French delicacy or use it as an element for a salad.
To make the cooking process easier, experienced chefs came up with the idea of poaching eggs in a bag. It turns out something between the usual boiled egg and classic poached egg.
How to cook poached eggs in a bag? And how does this technology differ from the classic method of boiling eggs? Let's talk about it.
What is the difference between a poached egg and an egg Benedict?
One of the legends about the origin of eggs Benedict says that they were prepared completely by accident. Once upon a time, a certain guest named Benedict stayed in one of the French hotels.
The day before he had a good time at a local restaurant. And so, early in the morning, in order to overcome an unpleasant hangover, he ordered a hearty breakfast for himself, which included toast with butter, ham, eggs and hollandaise sauce . This marked the beginning of Eggs Benedict's journey throughout Europe.
Eggs Benedict is a poached egg with a delicious addition of ham, bread and sauce
There is another legend, this time from America. In one of the restaurants in New York, regular visitors, a married couple named Benedict, wanted to try something new. And then the chef of this restaurant made a poached egg, put it on toast with ham and poured it with hollandaise sauce .
So what's the difference between a poached egg and a Benedict? Only in additional ingredients. This dish is based on a poached egg, only toast with ham and always hollandaise sauce are added .
How to cook a poached egg at home?
There are several ways to prepare this wonderful dish. But for all recipes the main thing is that the egg is fresh . And real gourmets say that poached eggs from eggs just laid by a chicken are especially delicious. So, here are some ways to cook eggs in a bag.
Method No. 1
- The egg must be washed thoroughly . Prepare a slotted spoon, plate and vinegar
- Bring the water to a boil, but it should not boil too much
- Add a little vinegar, about a spoon
- Gently break the egg onto a plate so that the yolk remains intact.
- Using a spoon or whisk, stir the water well and slowly drop the egg into it.
- After one and a half to two minutes, remove and prepare for serving.
Poached eggs are cooked in boiling water with or without vinegar
Method No. 2
- Lubricate cling film with any oil
- Let the water boil
- Break an egg into the film and tie it with a bag
- We lower our creation into the water so that it boils for no more than four minutes
- Take it out, let it cool a little, and cut the film
Poached egg using sous vide technology
This technology of cooking food using vacuum and precisely set temperature. A very time-consuming method, but it allows you to get the perfect poached egg. It will be an even oval shape, with a fully set white and a creamy, slightly thickened yolk.
Poached egg using sous vide technology
In the case of eggs, the technology is facilitated by the presence of a shell: this is natural vacuum packaging. All that remains is to set the exact temperature for cooking at 62 degrees and note the time for about 50 minutes - one hour. It is better to do this in a special apparatus, but you can get by with a water bath. The egg should be lowered into heated water at the desired temperature. Shortly before the end of their cooking, you need to bring salted water almost to a boil in a separate pan. Next, take out the boiled eggs, break them into a slotted spoon and lower them directly into the saucepan for 10 seconds. The white will finally set and the poached egg will take on its ideal shape. This could be served in a five star restaurant.
How long to cook poached eggs
Cooks often have differing opinions regarding the cooking time for poached eggs. In different recipes you can find different numbers of minutes. But basically everywhere it is said that the optimal time for cooking is 2-3 minutes .
You should not cook poached eggs for too long, otherwise the yolk will also cook and you will end up with an ordinary egg, boiled without a shell.
But experts say that the most correct way is to boil the egg in boiling water for one minute, and then it should cook in hot water for at least ten minutes .
The classic way to cook poached eggs in water in a saucepan - photo recipe
Chicken eggs can be prepared in any way: fried, boiled. But the healthiest and fastest to prepare is the poached egg. The product must be fresh. The recipe below describes in detail and shows how to prepare the dish, following the classics.
Your rating: (
2 ratings, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Cooking time: 7 minutes
Quantity: 2 servings
Equipment for boiling poached eggs
There are several devices that help you easily cope with this dish and make the egg beautifully regular in shape . Of course, if you are a professional master, then it will not be difficult for you to boil such an egg without any equipment. And with various tricks you can make this process more enjoyable.
A “poacher” is often used to cook poached eggs.
So, some cooks use oiled parchment , cling film or plastic bag . For those who love all sorts of kitchen gadgets, they specially came up with a plow maker . It resembles a slotted spoon that follows the contours of the egg. People lovingly nicknamed her “hedgehog.”
Also, to prepare a perfectly smooth egg, you can use a sieve through which the protein is passed in order to achieve a uniform consistency.
But in Japan they invented sous vide technology , thanks to which you can cook poached eggs in their shells . Using a vacuum container where a constant temperature is maintained, these eggs remain fresh for a long time.
If you don’t have a special device, then don’t despair - you can cook poached eggs without it
By the way, the Japanese always go to hot springs with a basket of eggs. They put them in the hot natural elements and get amazing poached eggs. What is not a useful device that nature itself gave?!
Recipe for poached eggs in a slow cooker
In order to prepare a poached egg in a slow cooker, we will need silicone molds, which are used for making muffins.
- Grease the molds with oil and place them in the multi form.
- Place one unshelled egg in each cell.
- Pour 2 cups of hot water into the multicooker
- Cover the pans with foil to prevent condensation.
- Set the “Steam” mode. 4-5 minutes will be enough
- Then take out the molds and let them cool a little
The poached eggs are ready. Can be served.
Practical part
To form eggs conveniently, you should take medium-height glasses, a wide mug, a bowl or other suitable container. Line each with a thick bag without any holes, aligning it with the walls of the selected dish.
After this, you should carefully pour one raw egg into each container so that the egg yolk is not damaged. The dish must be salted, then tie the bag in a knot.
The pan in which the delicacy will be prepared should be filled with water and allowed to boil. Then you need to lower the bags inside, reduce the heat to low and boil the poached eggs in the bags for 2 minutes.
After this time, the bags with the delicacy should be removed from the water, returned to the bowl being used and carefully untied so as not to get burned by the steam. The bag should be removed carefully so that the egg yolk is not damaged or leaks. Next, place the resulting dish on a plate and, if desired, garnish with herbs. Poached in a bag, ready for breakfast or snack.
How to cook a poached egg in a bag?
This method was invented by the Spanish chef Azark. He was of the opinion that since poached eggs lack a shell, it must be replaced with something of equal structure.
To give a poached egg a more aesthetic shape, it is often cooked in a bag.
- Take a regular plastic bag and grease the inside with oil.
- Gently break the egg into it so that the yolk remains intact.
- We tighten the edges of the bag with an elastic band. This should be done as close to the egg as possible. In this case, he will have a chance to maintain his form
- Cook in boiling water for 4 minutes. The main thing is that the bag does not touch the bottom or walls of the container.
This cooking method cannot be called ideal, since, despite the presence of fat on the walls of the bag, the egg still sticks slightly. And it is very important to get it out without damaging it.
Method of cooking in cling film (bag)
- Lightly grease some cling film, 30-40 centimeters long, in the center with olive oil. This is done so that the finished dish can be easier to remove later.
Instead of film, you can take a bag; it also needs to be greased with oil inside. - Place the film inside a small bowl and break the egg into it. You can salt it a little and add pepper or spices.
- Wrap the film (bag) and tie it tightly, twisting it a little.
- We lower our structure into boiling water and cook for 3-3.5 minutes.
- When poaching an egg in a bag or cling film, you get a perfect shell on the outside and a delicious runny yolk on the inside.
Recipe for poached eggs with vinegar
Some cooks cook poached eggs without using vinegar . But it is believed that this ingredient helps the protein fold faster and take on a more regular and attractive shape.
Many cooks actually use this trick in the cooking process. But here it is important not to overdo it with vinegar , as the egg can become sour. Therefore, you should use no more than one tablespoon per liter of water .
Thanks to vinegar, the shape of the egg will be more correct.
And the recipe itself is as follows:
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan
- Gently break an egg into a cup or bowl
- When the water boils, add a little salt and vinegar to it
- Carefully pour the egg into the water and cook over low heat for about four minutes.
To make the poached egg close to ideal, you can use a whisk to make a funnel in boiling water and pour the egg into it .
In the microwave
A popular egg dish is prepared in the microwave by analogy with the classic recipe. But the water is heated in the stove itself, and not boiled on the stove. This method is considered the fastest.
The amount of salt indicated in the recipe can be slightly reduced. It all depends on personal taste preferences.
Ingredients:
- Chicken egg – 1 pc.;
- Cold water – 150 ml;
- Salt – 0.5 tsp;
- Vinegar – 0.5 tsp.
Step by step instructions:
- Take the egg and carefully break it into a bowl. Pour cold water into a convenient container (not plastic or metal).
- The water in the container should be approximately 2 cm below the rim. Salt.
- Add vinegar and mix lightly. Carefully pour the egg directly into the water.
- Place the container in the microwave for 3 minutes. Then we take out the bowl and remove the poached egg with a slotted spoon onto a plate.
- Serve with fresh vegetables, herbs and any other products desired.
Poached egg without vinegar: recipe
You can cook a poached egg without using vinegar . To do this, be sure to take a fresh egg , preferably well chilled. When lowering into boiling water, avoid allowing the egg to “hit” the surface. And the layer of water should be at least one centimeter .
In order to prepare delicious and beautiful poached eggs, you need to know a few tricks:
- First of all, you need to pay attention to the freshness of the egg . The fact is that you won’t be able to make this dish with stale eggs. The protein holds its shape well only in the first few days. You can check freshness with water. We lower the egg and observe: if it stands on the blunt end, then you can doubt the freshness. And if it lies on its side, then you can safely use it for cooking
- To make a poached egg look attractive, use large, or preferably homemade, eggs with a rich yolk color.
- For cooking, it is best to use slightly boiling water. Steam should come from it, and small bubbles should appear at the bottom of the container.
- If you want to get a perfectly smooth surface of a poached egg , it is recommended to strain the white through a sieve so that it acquires a uniform consistency
Cooking poached eggs in the microwave
Perhaps cooking an egg in the microwave takes the least time and effort. The main thing is to find a suitable container. For example, a wide mug, so that it is convenient to break an egg into it and then take it out. You will also need a lid or saucer to cover it during cooking.
In order for the poached egg to turn out without flaws, you need to pour half the volume of water into the prepared dishes. Next, carefully lower the shelled egg into it. Check that the water almost completely covers it. Cover the container with a lid and place in the microwave, turning it on at full power for 1-2 minutes. After this time, see if the protein has hardened. If not, let it cook for another 15-30 seconds depending on the desired consistency. Next, carefully place the cooked poached egg on a dish using a slotted spoon or large spoon.
Poached egg salad
Tender poached eggs can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Salads with their addition acquire a unique, incomparable taste . Here are some recipes for making such salads.
Light salad with poached eggs - a gourmet treat
Recipe No. 1
This salad combines interesting textures: crunchy croutons, springy lettuce, and tender poached eggs. This combination turns out to be very lively and unusual . This light salad is ideal for a summer snack:
- Cut the bread into small cubes. You can take rye or white bread - to your taste
- Heat oil in a frying pan and add chopped chili. Then place the bread cubes in the oil and fry them well.
- While the bread is frying, prepare the poached eggs.
- Place lettuce leaves on plates. Place hot crackers on top of them.
- We are preparing the dressing. Add finely chopped garlic to olive oil and fry in a hot frying pan for about a minute
- Pour warm sauce over salad and place poached eggs on top
A poached egg goes well with many foods, so your imagination can suggest a salad recipe
Recipe No. 2
This salad must be eaten warm . It warms you up perfectly on cold winter evenings:
- Cut the chicken liver into cubes and fry in oil. Salt, pepper and set aside to cool
- We tear the washed lettuce leaves into a plate with our hands. Cut small tomatoes into slices
- Cut the sweet pepper into strips and sauté. You can also bake the peppers in the oven.
- Cooking poached eggs
- For dressing, mix olive oil, mustard and balsamic. You can add a little honey
- Place peppers, warm liver, poached egg on salad and tomatoes and pour over prepared sauce
There are a great many recipes for various dishes that use poached eggs. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment!
Poached egg soup
The famous Pokhlebkin in his book described the process of preparing soup with poached eggs . Today there are many recipes using this ingredient.
Unusual cabbage soup with poached eggs
Green cabbage soup with poached egg
- Cook the meat broth. If you want a vegetarian option, then just put the water to boil
- Place the chopped potatoes in salted water
- At this time, prepare the carrot and onion dressing.
- When the potatoes are almost ready, add the chopped sorrel and the prepared dressing
- Cook over low heat for five minutes
- Add tomato paste if desired
- When serving, add one poached egg and sour cream
Garlic soup
This soup is a classic French dish . Its creamy texture goes well with the tenderness of a poached egg. The recipe is extremely simple:
- Peel the garlic, crush it slightly and fry for a minute in olive oil.
- Chop the peeled potatoes as desired, place them in a saucepan, add garlic and broth
- While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the poached egg using any of the following methods:
- Beat the finished soup with a blender, then flavor it with cream and mix lightly
- When serving the soup, place a poached egg in a plate and cut it lightly
The easiest way to cook
Kitchen appliances and equipment: saucepan, spatula, bowl, whisk, cling film, culinary brush.
Ingredients
| Eggs | 1 PC. |
| Olive oil | ½ tsp. |
| Salt | taste |
| Spices | taste |
Tips for choosing products
Success in preparing delicious poached eggs directly depends on the freshness of the eggs . This is because ovalbumin (the protein) holds its shape better and is more elastic when the egg is fresh.
To check for freshness, place it in a container of water. If the egg is not the first freshness, it will sit on the bottom with the blunt end up, since it is on this side that there is an air cushion in it, which increases over time. The fresh one will lie on its side at the bottom, and the rotten one will float up.
Step-by-step preparation
- Pour a sufficient amount of water into the pan (1-1.5 liters) and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a boil. As soon as bubbles appear and the water begins to boil, set the pan aside and reduce the heat to low.
- Break the egg into a bowl. If you are making multiple servings, you will need to cook each one separately.
- Make a funnel in the water with a whisk.
- Carefully pour the egg into the center of the funnel. Thanks to the funnel, it will twist itself clockwise.
- Cook for 3 minutes, carefully remove the poached meat from the water and serve it.
How to cook cutlets inside with a poached egg?
Do you want to surprise your guests with an unusually interesting dish ? Then take note of these unusual cutlets:
- First, cook four poached eggs.
- Salt, pepper and beat well half a kilogram of minced meat
- Divide all the minced meat into four parts. Make a flat cake from each ball and place a poached egg on it
- Carefully form a cutlet, roll in egg and breadcrumbs and fry
- When serving, you can cut the cutlet to allow the yolk to flow out.
Cutlets with poached egg
Poached egg, what to serve with
Poached eggs can be a separate dish . They can be eaten, for example, for breakfast with toast and coffee. But why not get creative and prepare simple but original dishes ?
For breakfast: Quickly fry the garlic in oil, then put the pieces of bread in a frying pan and fry them too. We put the croutons on a plate, and put the tomatoes cut into rings into the frying pan and lightly brown them. Place on top of the croutons. Place the poached eggs on a makeshift sandwich and cut them slightly .
Most traditionally, poached eggs are served on a sandwich made from wheat bread in combination with vegetables and herbs.
For lunch: Fry pieces of ham, onion and garlic. Add cream to the pan, salt and pepper and simmer a little. Boil the pasta, pour the resulting sauce over it, and place a poached egg on top, cut it and sprinkle the dish with cilantro.
Poached eggs go well with red fish
For dinner: Lightly saute the asparagus in butter, then place it on a plate. Pour in a little lemon juice and add salt and pepper. Place the finished poached egg on top, lightly cut it and sprinkle the finished dish with parmesan shavings.
Classic cooking method
- Bring a liter of water to a boil, add 50 grams of vinegar and 10 grams of salt to the water. The vinegar will prevent the protein from spreading.
- Make a funnel in slightly boiling water and add the eggs, one at a time.
- After 3-3.5 minutes, carefully remove them with a slotted spoon, slightly smooth out the whites and serve.
Sandwich with poached egg
Here every cook has room for imagination. There are countless variations of sandwiches. Everyone prepares this quick dish to their own taste. You can use regular bread, you can toast it and make croutons or toast.
A poached egg sandwich is a quick meal, but far from a boring everyday snack.
The choice of additional ingredients is also very rich. These include various vegetables and herbs. You can make a vegetarian version, or you can add ham or pieces of meat. For fish lovers, lightly salted fish slices are perfect.
Select sauces to suit your taste as well. Some people like it spicy, some can’t imagine a sandwich without mayonnaise, and some prefer tomato dressings.
But the main highlight of the program, of course, is the poached egg. Just place it carefully on top of your sandwich, cut lightly and enjoy the unique taste .
