Perfectly poached eggs

My quest to cook the perfect egg continues with ‘poaching’ – aka, the scariest of all the egg cooking methods. But why are we so afraid? I think poaching an egg always seems like the riskiest option, especially when you only have two eggs left. No no, better play it safe and fry them instead.
But if you want to take a chance, then you have to make some tough decisions. To vinegar or not to vinegar? To swirl the water or not to swirl? Frying pan or saucepan? Refrigerated or room temperature eggs? Boil or simmer? AGHHH FORGET IT!
Poaching an egg can be a very stressful time in ones life. I don’t blame you for frying but if I told you there’s a way of poaching eggs that won’t make you run for the hills would you do it? This is where my story begins…
One blustery but warm Autumnal morning, I rise from my sleeping quarters to find my housemate Isabelle in the kitchen. It’s a small kitchen, with a blue tiled floor which feels cold on the soles of my feet. She delicately stirs a spoonful of sugar into her tea, I can’t help but notice her slender bird like hands. There’s a small frying pan simmering away with what look like two cloudy white orbs floating on the surface, like two boats on a calm sea… But they are not boats, oh no, Isabelle is making poached eggs!
“Are you poaching eggs? I say, bemused. “How are you doing that?”
“Yeah, it’s easy, I’ll show you” she says and she did, so now I will show you. Hold onto your hats, it’s going to be wild!

Perfectly poached eggs
Serves 1 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 10 mins / V Gf* Df
You’ll need: Small shallow frying pan, ramekin, slotted spoon, kitchen roll (optional)
2 medium eggs, refrigerated or room temperature
Toast and smashed avocado to serve (optional)

Method
1. Boil a kettle and pour the boiled water into a small shallow saucepan, leaving 1cm from the top. Bring to the boil, before reducing the water to a low simmer.
2. Crack one of the eggs into a small ramekin and gently pour it into the water – don’t panic if the white spreads out bit, this is normal. Repeat with the second. If the eggs look like they’re merging together this is also nothing to worry about.
3. The eggs won’t take long to cook once in the water to keep a close eye on them. Now is a good time to toast the bread.

NOTE: If the egg yolks are poking out the water, use a slotted spoon to gently push them under the water until the tops of the yolks look set (see image below).

4. After about 2 mins, move a slotted spoon gently underneath each egg to make sure they’re not sticking to the bottom. This is also a good opportunity to lift one of the eggs out and inspect the whites. If they’re set then check the yolks – if you like your yolks a little harder return to the water to cook for longer.
5. Once cooked, remove one egg at a time with the slotted spoon, allowing any excess water to drain through the spoon back into the frying pan. Serve immediately on toast.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.