Have you ever tried poaching an egg and it’s just a bundle of wispy egg white tails…? Yeah neither… But if you are looking at ways to perfect your poached egg game you are in for a treat.
Julia Child, a culinary legend, and true egg head. With a whole chapter in her renowned cookbook, "Mastering the Art of FrenchCooking, Volume 1," dedicated to eggs, you could say she is about as fanatical about eggs as we are. While exploring her egg expertise, one technique has captured our attention: her ingenious 10-second trick for poached eggs. If it’s good enough for Julia Child then it sure is worth giving a try.
The key is freshness. But what if your eggs aren't as fresh as desired? Then this method is just what you need…
Here is Julia Child’s Trick to Poached Eggs
What you will need
- Eggs
- A pot of water
- A pin
- Vinegar optional
Step 1. Begin by boiling water.
Bring your pot of water to a boil - enough to cover the eggs completely.
Step 2. Use a pin to create an eggshell hole.
Make a small hole in the wider end of the egg shell using a pin. This releases trapped air, preventing cracks. The hole is tiny, so nothing leaks.
Step 3. Briefly boil the egg for10 seconds.
Submerge the whole egg in boiling water for exactly 10 seconds. Remove it and lower the heat for a gentle simmer. This pre-boiling maintains the egg's shape when cracked into simmering water.
Step 4. Poach the egg.
Once the egg cools enough to handle crack it back into your pot of simmering water to poach, as usual for up to 4 minutes. From here you can use any additional techniques you prefer such a vinegar in the water or whirlpool method. The unique steps in Julia's approach can make even an amateur cook look like a master chef.
In the world of poached eggs, Julia Child's insights stand as a testament to her culinary brilliance. Have you tried her approach, or do you have your own fool proof method for achieving the perfect poached egg? Share your thoughts with us.
Other great Eggy basics to try: