Slow Poached Eggs Recipes

SLOW-POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Fit a large pot with a rack and fill with water. Place over lowest possible heat.
• Heat water to between 140 and 145 degrees; add eggs to pot. Cook eggs 40 to 45 minutes, checking temperature regularly; add ice cubes if water gets too hot.
• Use eggs immediately or transfer to an ice-water bath to chill. Drain, and transfer to refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Warm eggs under piping hot tap water for 1 minute before using.
• To serve eggs, crack them, one at a time, into small individual saucers. The thin white should not be firm or solid. Carefully pour off loosest part of white before serving.

NO-WORRY POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Put the vinegar in a small or medium saucepan (depending on how many eggs you are making). Gently crack the eggs into the vinegar. Holding the saucepan handle, rock or swirl the pot gently so the vinegar redistributes between the eggs. This will help start the coagulation of the whites.
• Bring a teakettle filled with water to a boil and then gently pour the water down the inside side of the pan until you have enough water to covering the eggs by about 2 inches.
• Cover and set a timer for 5 minutes. This will help set the eggs. Uncover, turn the heat on high and quickly bring to a boil. As soon as the water is boiling, turn off the heat. Push any foam that has risen to the top to the side and immediately remove the eggs with a slotted spoon. The whites will be set but the yolk will still be runny. For harder cooked eggs, boil for another 1 to 2 minutes.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat the water: Add enough water to come 1 inch up the side of a narrow, deep 2-quart saucier. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 teaspoons white vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, crack 1 very fresh cold large egg into a custard cup or small ramekin. Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it's all smoothly spinning around.
• TIP: Use this whirlpool method when poaching a single serving (one or two eggs). For bigger batches, heat the water, salt and vinegar in a 12-inch nonstick skillet and do not stir.
• Add the egg: Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from "feathering," or spreading out in the pan.
• Let it poach: Turn off the heat, cover the pan and set your timer for 5 minutes. Don't peek, poke, stir or accost the egg in any way.
• Lift it out: Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. Alternatively, move the egg to an ice bath and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Reheat in warm water just before serving.

EASY POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat the water: Fill a saucepan with several inches of water. Heat the water on high until it reaches a boil and then lower the heat until the water is at a bare simmer (just a few bubbles coming up now and then).
• Crack the egg into a small bowl and gently slip it into the water: Working with the eggs one at a time, crack the egg into a small bowl or cup. Place the bowl close to the surface of the hot water and gently slip the egg into the water. If you want, use a spoon to push some of the egg whites closer to their yolks, to help them hold together. Add all of the eggs you are poaching to the pan in the same way, keeping some distance between them.
• Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let sit for 4 minutes: Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Set a timer for 4 minutes. At this point the egg whites should be completely cooked, while the egg yolks are still runny. Note that the timing depends on the size of the eggs, the number of eggs in the pot, and if you are cooking at altitude, so adjust accordingly. If you are at altitude, want firmer egg yolks, or are poaching more than 4 eggs at once, you may need to cook them longer. If you try 4 minutes and the eggs are too cooked, reduce the time.
• Remove the eggs with slotted spoon: Gently lift the poached eggs out of the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a plate to serve.
• Strain the thin whites with a fine mesh sieve: Place the raw egg into a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. The very thin egg whites will drain out through the sieve.
• Gently add to hot the water: Then gently ease the raw egg into your pot of simmering hot water.
• Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and poach for 4 minutes: Notice how there is much less stray egg whites with this method? Turn off the heat and cover the pot (or just lower the heat to low), and poach for 4 minutes until the whites are cooked through. (You may need to add more time if cooking at altitude or poaching more than 4 eggs at once.) Remove from the pot with a slotted spoon.

SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Place grits in a medium bowl and add 2 cups water. Let grits soak at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Drain grits and transfer to a medium saucepan. Add dashi and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes. Add usukuchi, a large pinch of salt, and season with pepper. Continue whisking constantly until thickened, bubbling, and no longer grainy, about 10 minutes. Stir in butter until melted; season with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until it shrinks to about half its original size and is crisp and browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove bacon from skillet using a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain fat and wipe skillet clean; set aside.
• Place shrimp in a large bowl and add grapeseed oil; season with salt and toss to coat. Heat cast-iron skillet over high heat and add shrimp, working in batches if necessary. Press down on shrimp using the back of a spatula or a smaller pan to sear for 1 to 2 minutes. When shrimp look about halfway cooked, turn and press down on second side. Continue cooking until shrimp have just become opaque and have browned slightly. Remove from pan.
• Divide grits evenly between 4 bowls; top each with a poached egg. Divide shrimp and scallions evenly between bowls and serve immediately.