So now that we’ve graduated from learning how to properly hardboil and soft-cook an egg, it’s time to learn how to POACH an egg. Now just to warn you, poaching eggs aren’t one of the easiest things in the world but today I’m going to give you tips on how to make the entire process less scary.


First I need you to breathe, take a deep breath because more than likely your first time poaching may be unsuccessful. But that’s okay! Because #1, it really doesn’t take long to start over (just heat another pot of water) and #2 you can feed your failed egg to your dog or cat, little brother, big brother, etc…you get the idea :)  So here are some tips you should remember when poaching an egg:


To Poach an Egg:

Fill a medium deep saucepan with 4 inches of water and heat at medium high heat — the water should be barely simmering, about 4 minutes.  Break an egg into a small bowl and slowly dip the edge of the bowl into the hot water and carefully lower the egg into the pan.  (You can also directly crack the egg into a large spoon as I have shown in the photo below.)

Use a small spoon or spatula to gather the edges of the egg whites over the egg for a neater apperance.  Allow egg to cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until whites have just set and the yolks are nice and soft.  Scoop out the egg using either a slotted spoon or small mesh sieve (as shown in photos).  Set on paper towel to drain and serve immediately.

One of the main reasons poached eggs can expand any dish is due to the delicate texture and the rich silky consistency of the buttery yolk.  Because it is cooked in water, it is also a healthy alternative to scrambled or fried eggs. Enjoy the beauty of poached eggs for breakfast with some rustic bread or for lunch, ontop of a bed of wild field greens or a fancy accompaniment in a soup. 

One of my main goals this year is to eat healthier breakfasts.  This recipe is hearty and satisfying for those cold winter mornings that makes it so hard to get out of bed.  Another 15-minute recipe (once you master the art of poached eggs), this breakfast will make mornings worth waking up for — Creamy Grits with a Poached Egg topped with fresh avocado and toasted bread. 

Ingredients for Creamy Grits with a Poached Egg:

(serving size 1– prep time: 5 minutes – cooking time: 15 minutes)

  • 1 fresh egg 
  • 1/2 cup grits
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 slice of toasted bread, sliced and cubed
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced
  • freshly crushed black pepper for taste
  • Now to make this recipe efficient the first you need to do is heat your pot of water for the poached eggs.  See the instructions above.  While you are waiting for the water, begin mixing your grits with the salt, water and half of the milk and heat in the microwave on high for 4 minutes (you can toast your bread and check on your egg while you’re waiting).  Be sure to stop the microwave after 2 minutes to give the grits a quick stir– set aside the reminader of milk for mixing into the grits after you take it out of the microwave. 

    Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of milk into the grits, if needed add more milk until you reach the desired consistency.  Take your poached egg and lightly set ontop of the grits — slice toast into cubes and avocado into slices and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.  Place toasted bread and avocado slices on top and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.  Serve with a freshly squeezed glass of grapefruit juice and half of a fresh grapefruit. 

    Talk about a breakfast of champions!  This recipe is packed full of rich protein and amino acids to start our days off right.  Instead of filling our bellies with empty calories and sugar, let us enrich our bodies with nutrient dense meals like this one that are both low on the glycemic index and high in nutritional value.  Make this year a good year by making healthy choices in the things you eat.  Have a wonderful weekend, stay warm and I leave you with a quote from His Holiness, Dalai Lama –

    “The greater the level of calmness of our mind, the greater our peace of mind, the greater our ability to enjoy a happy and joyful life.”

    33 Comments

    1. J Dubbs says: 14 Jan ’11 • 06:22:00

      you make it look so simple in the pictures! all my poached eggs have looked pretty unappetizing…

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:37:57

        Don’t give up!! You can do it :) Even if they aren’t the prettiest I always say ” it tastes all the same!!” hee hee sending you positive egg ju ju your way

    2. penny aka jeroxie says: 14 Jan ’11 • 07:47:04

      OMG… so beautiful photos. I love poached eggs as well :)

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:54:43

        They are the best aren’t they :) Noms thanks for the kind words!

    3. [email protected] says: 14 Jan ’11 • 11:12:37

      Now, that is a lesson I had to learn =) thanx for sharing.

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:54:29

        :) you are very welcome MJ!

    4. Elissa says: 14 Jan ’11 • 14:25:17

      I’ve always wanted to try to poach an egg but I’ve been so intimidated… this tutorial helps a lot! I think I’ll try to do it :)

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:54:17

        DO IT ELISSA!! you can do it :)

    5. Oui, Chef says: 14 Jan ’11 • 14:30:21

      A terrific, informative post with really gorgeous photographs. Love it! – S

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:54:02

        Thank you so much S :) !

    6. Brian says: 14 Jan ’11 • 15:30:56

      I’m obsessed with poached eggs and am so happy you are sharing the love with the world.

      Freshness is really important… and I also suggest buying local, organic, free-range eggs. Not only are they healthier, but they taste SO much better than eggs that are not treated in this fashion.

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:53:51

        You are totally right — local organic free range is the way to go. I can’t wait to have my own chickens!!!

    7. Amy Bakes Everything says: 14 Jan ’11 • 16:08:20

      Holy Nom NOM! I seriously dig grits, and those eggs look perfect!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:53:18

        Thank you Amy! Grits are the bomb diggity fa sho :)

    8. skip to malou says: 14 Jan ’11 • 18:14:44

      have you tried poaching with adding vinegar to the boiling water.. try it too it works wonders..
      enjoy your weekend girl… have fun!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:52:46

        Thanks for the tip Malou! I will add that to the list :)

    9. Isabelle says: 14 Jan ’11 • 20:45:24

      Gorgeous as usual, Joy! I love how you can turn even a simple egg into a thing of beauty with your photos.
      Of all the basic cooking skills I’ve tried to master, poaching eggs is one of the few that I still haven’t quite managed… I think I’m going to have to try your trick with the big spoon to see if I can finally get the Egg Gods to smile upon me. :)

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:48:49

        Izzy I totally agree about the poached eggs — its seriously the hardest technique out of all of them. The spoon has really helped me cuz it helps the egg stay in its place! Let me know if it works I am telling the Egg Gods to smile extra big for you :)

    10. Fatimah Jasmin says: 14 Jan ’11 • 22:51:52

      Hey thanks for the wonderful tip, I’ve always failed. I justed it again well this time around it really works. Good tips.

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:47:06

        HURRAAAY!!! I am so happy you’ve totally just made my day!

    11. Oh no! The dreaded weekend! « dietmaven says: 15 Jan ’11 • 00:24:31

      [...] http://joylicious.net/2011/01/14/cook-eggs-part-2/ [...]

      Reply

    12. dietmaven says: 15 Jan ’11 • 00:26:59

      Fabulous idea! I have been obsessed with polenta lately – are grits similar (maybe a courser cut of corn?). I think I am going to make this tomorrow. I have all the ingredients in my house and I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with healthy foods to eat. Thank you!!!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:46:28

        Thank you very much! To be honest I have not worked much with polenta but I am guessing it would work just as well. Enjoy :) !

    13. A Busy Nest says: 15 Jan ’11 • 02:33:59

      Grits, avocados, poached eggs. I love all three separately and am dying to try putting them together like you did! Beautiful blog by the way!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:44:38

        Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy the recipe :)

    14. [email protected] Kel Show says: 15 Jan ’11 • 03:46:26

      Your beautiful breakfast is one of my favorite dinners!

      Your pictures are lovely!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:43:42

        Hee hee i should advertise this dish as ” good for breakfast, lunch OR dinner!” :) Thanks for the sweet words!

    15. heather says: 15 Jan ’11 • 17:20:21

      After seeing a recipe from Mark Bittman (at least I think it was him) for savory breakfast steel cut oats topped with a poached egg, I’ve been dying to try it. I just received a bag of stone-ground white corn grits from my uncle who picked it up from a gristmill near his home in KY — would be the perfect ingredient for this delicious-looking, hearty breakfast!

      Cheers and happy weekend,

      *Heather*

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:42:53

        Heather that sounds amazing — i absolutely adore grits for the earthy flavors and textures!

    16. Lacey @ dishfolio says: 16 Jan ’11 • 04:53:41

      What beautiful photos! We’d love for you to post this recipe at dishfolio.com!

      Reply

      • Joy says: 25 Jan ’11 • 18:40:46

        okee doke!

    17. rp says: 31 Jan ’11 • 21:20:31

      this looks so delicious!

      Reply

    18. Veronica says: 6 May ’11 • 07:12:37

      Amazing blog Joy! I’m “stealing” your breakfast for mine!!
      http://stuffveronicalikes.blogspot.com/

      Veronica

      Reply

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