Eggs are incredibly versatile and can be prepared in numerous ways, each offering a unique taste and texture. Here are several popular methods for preparing eggs:
- Boiled Eggs
- Soft-Boiled: Cook eggs in boiling water for about 4-6 minutes. The whites are set, and the yolks are runny.
- Medium-Boiled: Boil for 7-8 minutes. The yolks are slightly set but still creamy.
- Hard-Boiled: Boil for 9-12 minutes. Both the whites and yolks are fully set.
- Poached Eggs
- Crack an egg into a bowl. Bring water with a splash of vinegar to a gentle simmer. Create a whirlpool in the water and gently slide the egg into the centre. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolk remains runny.
- Scrambled Eggs
- Beat eggs with a splash of milk or cream. Cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they reach the desired consistency. Soft scrambled eggs are creamy and slightly runny, while hard scrambled eggs are fully set.
- Fried Eggs
- Sunny-Side Up: Cook eggs in a skillet without flipping until the whites are set but the yolk is still runny.
- Over-Easy: Fry the egg on one side, then flip and cook briefly on the other side, keeping the yolk runny.
- Over-medium: Flip and cook until the yolk is slightly set.
- Over-Hard: Flip and cook until the yolk is fully set.
- Omelette
- Beat eggs and pour into a hot, greased skillet. Cook until the eggs begin to set, then add fillings like cheese, vegetables, or meats. Fold the omelette in half and cook until fully set.
- Baked Eggs (Shirred Eggs)
- Crack eggs into a buttered ramekin, add a bit of cream or milk, and season. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, until the whites are set but the yolks are still slightly runny.
- Eggs Benedict
- Poached eggs served on an English muffin with Canadian bacon or ham, topped with hollandaise sauce.
- Deviled Eggs
- Hard-boiled eggs, cut in half, with yolks removed, mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasoning, then piped back into the egg whites.
- Frittata
- An Italian egg-based dish similar to an omelette but typically cooked in a skillet and finished in the oven. Ingredients like vegetables, meats, and cheeses are mixed into the beaten eggs before cooking.
- Quiche
- A savoury tart filled with a custard made from eggs, cream, and cheese, often with added vegetables, meats, or seafood, baked in a pastry crust.
- Cloud Eggs
- Egg whites whipped to stiff peaks, then baked with the yolk added back on top towards the end of baking. This creates a fluffy, meringue-like texture with a runny yolk centre.
Each method of preparation highlights different aspects of the egg, from the creamy yolk to the firm whites, offering a variety of flavours and textures.