Simple Methods for Cooking Eggs

We all love eggs, and with good reason, they have more uses than almost any other food stuff. They are easy to get hold of wherever you live and are a key ingredient in most national cuisines. Even the worst cook can learn to prepare eggs using some uncomplicated methods. Knowing how to cook basic egg recipes like poached eggs, omelettes, scrambled eggs and boiled eggs is the base needed to cook a wide range of uncomplicated, speedy hearty meals.

If you can become skilled in the following methods, you are part way there:-

1. Boiled Eggs
Hard or soft boiled eggs are substantial and can make a fast and uncomplicated meal. For many people, a soft boiled egg with 'soldiers' is the supreme comfort food.
To boil a soft-boiled egg to dip toast in, first remove your eggs from the fridge and let them stand for a while to bring them up to room temperature. Heat some water in a small pan and, when it is just boiling, drop the eggs into the water cautiously. Simmer for exactly one minute then take them off the heat, place a lid on the pan and let it stand for 6-7 minutes. Some people like their eggs more runny than others, so experiment with the timing to get the results you prefer.
If cooking hard boiled eggs, simmer the eggs in the pan, on the heat, for around 7 minutes and then instantly remove from the water and immerse in cold water for a short time. Some people leave them to cool in a bowl of icy water.
Hard boiled eggs are wonderful for picnics or for mixing with mayonnaise to make egg sandwiches.

2. How to Cook an Omelette
An omelette is really easy to cook and is wonderful served with a salad or chips.
In a bowl, beat two eggs together and season with salt or pepper. Add a dash of milk or water. In an omelette pan , melt a small amount of butter and coat the pan. Add the beaten eggs to the pan and move them around so that they cover the the pan evenly. Keep bringing the cooked bits from the side of the pan into the middle to let less cooked eggs run into gaps and cook evenly. Once you have a nice soft circle of omelette you might also add grated cheese or cooked mushrooms to the center and, using a spatula, fold the omelette over the filling to make a crescent shape.

3. Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs on toast is delicious and is a good standby when you're in a rush or are too tired to cook much. If you have got a microwave, then these are really easy – simply beat 2-3 eggs together, season, add a tiny dash of milk and cook on high. Stir with a fork every ten seconds and stop cooking when they are at the perfect consistency for you.
You can also scrambled eggs in a pan – Heat a knob of butter in a frying pan, beat the eggs in a bowl or jug, season and add a dash of milk. Once the butter is melted, pour the eggs into the pan and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the egg mixture only has a bit of liquid left. Stir in a little butter and add cream if you want – delicious.
For a special breakfast, chop up smoked salmon and mix into the scrambled egg.

4. How to Make Poached Eggs
To poach eggs the easy way, you can buy a special poaching pan which has round compartments into which you break your eggs and then they cook over the pan which is filled with boiling water.
To poach eggs without a poacher, pour boiling water into a frying pan until it is about 2 ½ cm deep, place the pan on the cooker and, when the water is bubbling lightly (little bubbles under the surface), break an egg into the water. Simmer for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Leave for 10 minutes and then remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Serve on toast or with bacon, sausage and baked beans.

These are the four basic, fastest and most nourishing ways to cook eggs but you can also fry an egg in oil. Simply heat oil in a frying pan, crack an egg lightly into the pan (gently, so you don't break the yolk) and fry until cooked. Although you may prefer frying eggs, don't forget that poaching is far healthier than frying because it uses water instead of oil.

R.Wakefield is an ethusiastic amateur cook and writer who writes content for 'The Recipe Collection' internet site. If you want to impress your friends with your culinary skills, and want to cook tasty and nourishing egg and omelette recipes, then you should check out 'The Recipe Collection', a recipe collection which includes many egg and frittata recipes, (amongst many others). You will find an egg recipe there to please anyone.

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