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Alton Brown Poached Eggs Recipe

Alton Brown Poached Eggs Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Alton Brown’s poached eggs elevate breakfast with precision and technique. Creamy, delicate eggs rest on toasted bread, promising a delightful morning experience you’ll savor to the last bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg, chilled

Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

Instructions

  1. Prepare a slender, deep 2-quart saucepan (59 milliliters) with water, filling it approximately 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the edge. Establish a gentle simmer over moderate temperature, incorporating white vinegar and kosher salt into the liquid.
  2. Delicately crack a fresh egg into a petite custard cup or miniature ramekin, ensuring the yolk remains intact and unbroken.
  3. Create a gentle whirlpool in the simmering water by rotating a spoon or spatula in a singular circular motion, generating a smooth, swirling current.
  4. Tenderly release the egg into the center of the water’s vortex, allowing the spinning motion to envelop and contain the egg white, preventing excessive dispersion.
  5. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, immediately remove from heat source, and initiate a precise 5-minute countdown without disturbing, touching, or observing the poaching process.
  6. Carefully extract the poached egg using a perforated spoon, allowing excess water to drain thoroughly.
  7. Transfer the egg immediately to a serving plate for instant consumption, or alternatively, submerge in an ice bath for preservation up to 8 hours, reheating briefly in warm water before serving.

Notes

  • Cold eggs help maintain shape and prevent spreading when dropped into simmering water.
  • Creating a gentle whirlpool centers the egg white around the yolk for a perfectly compact poached egg.
  • Minimal movement during cooking preserves the delicate egg’s structure and prevents fragmentation.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 72 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 2325 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 186 mg