Whether you serve them sunny-side up or over easy, fried eggs are a treat to both prepare and eat. Today, Michael Vyskocil shares the technique for making this simple egg dish, which can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even as an easy and nourishing midnight snack.
When a freshly-cracked egg is added to a skillet, the thickest part of the egg white will generally adhere itself around the yolk. This natural fact presents a problem for cooks: They can either undercook the egg or raise the heat, which will result in a tougher-textured egg. The ideal cooked egg, however, is soft-textured, and each bite of egg yields a little bit of smooth egg yolk. For an expertly-cooked fried egg, follow these important tips. First, cook the egg over low heat. Second, use a spatula to break up and evenly distribute any thick clumps of egg white to ensure that the egg will cook evenly. Finally, use only fresh eggs for this technique. Not only will fresh eggs give you the best taste, but they'll also hold up to the cooking process better than older eggs. If you can find them, pullet eggs are the best to use. These eggs tend to be smaller than standard-sized eggs and are laid by pullets, hens that are less than a year old. Check your local gourment grocery store, farm stands or egg producers for pullet eggs. If you can't find pullet eggs, don't fret: The regular supermarket eggs will work, but check the dates on the cartons to be sure you're purchasing the freshest eggs you can find.
When cooking the eggs, use a fairly thin, flexible spatula and a heavy skillet made of a heat-conductive metal or one that has a nonstick surface. If you like to serve your eggs over easy, give them a gentle flip in the skillet just before you serve them.
Try another breakfast favorite Poached Egg Popovers, or learn other basic cooking techniques from the How to Cook series, including making an omelet and preparing a fresh green salad.
RECIPE
Fried Eggs Recipe
Makes 1
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- Coarse salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Heat an 8-inch heavy metal skillet or a skillet with a nonstick coating over low heat. Add the butter to the skillet.
- When the butter begins to sizzle (but not smoke), add the egg to the skillet. Season the egg with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the egg whites become set and the bottom is just slightly golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.
