Introduction
Poaching an egg is a culinary technique that involves cooking an egg in simmering water until the white sets and the yolk remains soft.
Traditionally, poaching requires a saucepan and careful attention. However, with a microwave, you can achieve the same results in a fraction of the time. This guide will walk you through the simple steps of poaching an egg in the microwave.
Ingredients
1. Egg
Choose a fresh egg with a strong shell.
2. Water
Use cold tap water.
3. Vinegar
Adding vinegar can help the egg white set more quickly.
Instructions
Prepare the bowl
Fill the microwave-safe bowl with about 1 inch of cold water.
Egg
Carefully crack the egg into the bowl. If you prefer, you can add a splash of vinegar to the water.
Microwave
Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Check the egg
Remove the plate and inspect the egg. If the white is set but the yolk is still runny, it is ready. If the yolk is too cooked, microwave in 10-second intervals until desired.
Season and serve
Transfer the poached egg to a plate and season with salt and pepper.
Serve immediately.
Tips
Use fresh eggs
Older eggs may have a weaker yolk, which can make it more difficult to achieve a runny yolk.
Adjust the cooking time
The exact cooking time may vary depending on the power of your microwave. Start with 30 seconds and adjust as needed.
Experiment with vinegar
While vinegar can help the egg white set more quickly, it is not essential. If you prefer a more traditional poached egg, you can omit it.
Be careful when removing the egg
The egg may be hot, so use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer it to the plate.
Poached eggs Benedict
Create a classic brunch dish by topping poached eggs with Canadian bacon, hollandaise sauce, and English muffins.
