Even if you don’t like eggs on their own, they’re a flexible component that can add structure and lightness to a variety of dishes depending on how you use them. In recognition of the egg’s ubiquity, we’ve compiled a list of 15 egg hacks you’ve probably never heard of. Some of them cover new and improved egg frying and preparation techniques. Others add eggs to your recipes in unexpected ways to make them healthier. You need these tips in your life, whether you’re a rookie chef or a seasoned cook.
Here are 10 egg hacks that will shape the way you eat eggs in the morning and make breakfast a lot easier.
1. Use Cookie Cutters for the Perfect Fried Egg
When we crack an egg in a pan to prepare it for frying, the white spills all over the place. Not only does it make the entire cooking process more difficult, but it also makes the egg look less appealing (particularly for Instagram, am I right?). Take a circular cookie cutter or a mason jar lid, grease it, place it on the pan, and crack an egg within it the next time you fry an egg. You’ll have a lovely circle-shaped egg, and everyone will be curious as to how you got it so flawless.
2. The airiest scramble starts with a sieve
Scrambled eggs are supposed to be severely scrambled, as in you can’t tell the yolk from the white because they’re completely mixed up. To make the best scrambled eggs, you’ll need at least a whisk, however, an immersion blender is much faster and needs less effort.
However, celebrity chef Thomas Keller recommends placing the eggs into the pan through a sieve to prevent them from separating before hitting the pan. The small pores help keep the scrambling together while straining out any shell residues.
3. Use the Microwave for a Two-Minute Breakfast
My favorite egg hack is this one. Are you waiting for your eggs to finish cooking in a pan? We are fortunate to live in a world where almost everything is possible, such as microwave egg poachers. Simply spray the bottom of the microwave egg poacher with cooking spray, cover with water, crack one egg into each part, and microwave the eggs for 60 to 90 seconds on high. In a short period of time, you have excellent eggs. Just be careful to ensure the cap is well secured; if it isn’t, the microwave may result in a mess.
4. Add creme fraiche to lock in creaminess
We started adding mayo to our scrambled eggs during the quarantine to give them a creamier texture (along with these 24 other genius cooking tricks). But now, using this tip from renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, we’re taking our scrambled eggs to the next level. A dollop of crème Fraiche added immediately as the pan was removed from the heat adds creaminess and locks it in by lowering the temperature of the eggs, preventing the feared “rubbery” effect.
5. Remove a Hard-Boiled Egg Shell in a Cold Water Container
Hard-boiled eggs are a favorite of some people. But how do you crack the shell without breaking the egg or making a mess? I’d say it’s a near-impossible task. Next time, make your life a little easier by putting your hard-boiled eggs in a container with cold water. Close the container and gently shake it. Remove the cover, take the eggs, and the shells will fall off almost instantly.
6. Poached eggs are within reach
One of the 52 life-changing kitchen tricks we have is the ability to scramble eggs in the microwave (hello, creamy one-dish breakfast!). But guess what else you can cook in under a minute in the microwave? Poached eggs to perfection.
Simply pour half a cup of cold water into a bowl or mug, crack one egg carefully and slip it in, and then microwave for 45 seconds on high. Note: If you want seconds, start with a new cup of cold water to maintain the perfect temperature.
7. Make Eggs in a Muffin Tin for Ready-to-Eat Breakfasts
Overnight oats are one of my go-to breakfasts when I’m in a rush to get out the door but still want to eat something nutritious. There’s an easy method to have eggs ready in the morning for grab-and-go on those mornings when I’m wanting eggs. If you prefer your eggs whole, coat a muffin tray with cooking spray and break one egg into each hole, or whisk a couple of eggs in a dish with some spices and veggies and pour a small amount of the mixture into each hole. 15 minutes in the oven You can freeze them overnight and then defrost them in the morning.
8. Perfectly cook sunny-side-up eggs
If you want your fried eggs with a gooey liquid yolk surrounded by medium-cooked whites, try sunny-side-up eggs (fried eggs that aren’t flipped over before being served). For some, the thin layer of uncooked egg-white film over the yolk is the only downside. If the smooth film is causing you to choose over-easy, melt a little extra butter in the pan and baste the yolk with it to firm the film. But why bother with butter when water will suffice? Adding a few spoonfuls of water to the pan is all that is required. The water will immediately heat up, at which point you may carefully spoon it over the egg yolk, turning the film absolutely transparent and wonderful.
Also Read: A Classic Cheesy Lasagna Is Worth Trying
