Craving for poached eggs but always end up with a white, wispy mess in boiling water? A small tweak to your egg-poaching method can make all the difference, according to British chef Tom Kerridge.
The renowned chef, known for his healthy recipes, has a foolproof approach that ensures perfect poached eggs every time. Kerridge highlights the importance of vinegar in the process of poaching eggs. Its mild acidity helps the proteins in the egg whites to coagulate swiftly, preventing them from turning into thin strands in the water.
However, unlike most recipes, Kerridge doesn’t just add vinegar to the boiling water.
He warns against cracking an egg directly over boiling water as it often results in broken yolks and scattered whites.
Instead, Kerridge advises to crack the egg into a small cup or ramekin first. This gives you complete control when adding it to the water, stops shell fragments from getting in, and importantly, allows you to pour gently so as not to disrupt the vortex.
Before cracking the eggs, Kerridge demonstrates an essential step in making perfect poached eggs.
Firstly, he adds a splash of white vinegar to the small cups.
This results in a neater, more compact poached egg without noticeably changing the taste. Just one tablespoon is enough to transform a messy cloud of egg white into a perfectly oval poached egg.
How to make perfect poached eggs
Ingredients
- One fresh egg (the fresher the better)
- One tablespoon vinegar (white wine or distilled)
- A pan of boiling water
- Slotted spoon
- A small cup or ramekin
Tom observed that poaching eggs is “simple when you know how” and becomes even more straightforward with this uncomplicated recipe.
Initially, bring a saucepan of water to a gentle simmer-not a vigorous boil, as aggressive bubbles can cause the egg to break apart.
Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a small bowl.
Crack your egg into this bowl instead of straight into the saucepan.
This method not only blends in the vinegar but also allows you to inspect for any shell pieces and maintain the yolk’s integrity.
Using a slotted spoon, create a whirlpool in the simmering water by stirring in one direction until it forms a spinning vortex.
This approach draws the egg white around the yolk during cooking. Carefully tip the egg and vinegar mixture from your bowl directly into the heart of the whirlpool.
The measured pour minimises splashing and preserves your egg’s structure.
Leave the egg to cook without disturbance for approximately three minutes. The whites ought to be firm whilst the yolk stays runny.
With your slotted spoon, gently remove the egg and allow surplus water to drain away.
Add salt and pepper according to preference.