If you've never cooked in your life, frying an egg can seem like a daunting task. The goal is to obtain a slightly crunchy and well cooked egg white, while the yolk must be liquid. It is not difficult to achieve with a little practice. A fried egg is tasty and a perfect match: in fact, you can eat it with just about any other dish.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Frying an Egg the Perfect Way
Step 1. Place a pan on the stove and let it heat over medium heat
Use one that is large enough to allow the eggs to have enough space for cooking. A pan with a diameter of 20 cm is perfect for one egg, while you will need one with a diameter of at least 30 cm to cook 2-3 eggs at a time.
Step 2. While the pan heats up, grease it with oil or butter
About half a tablespoon per egg should be enough. When it starts to heat up, rotate the pan to coat the entire bottom with oil or butter. Monitor the flame to prevent it from turning brown.
- Using a pan that is too large can cause the egg to stick, as the oil coating will be too thin to encourage proper cooking. In this case, pour in a little more.
- For particularly substantial eggs, use bacon fat.
- Non-stick cooking sprays are quick and easy to use and ensure you coat the entire pan evenly.
Step 3. Let the pan heat until the oil or butter is hot, but it shouldn't turn brown
It is preferable to cook the eggs at a low temperature: if it is too high, you risk burning the oil and the eggs immediately. The oil must start to have a shimmering appearance, while the butter should form bubbles. When you add the egg, the egg white should only sizzle slightly.
Step 4. Break the first egg into a saucer or bowl and pour it into the container, but you can also put it to fry directly
Gently hatch it so it doesn't break the yolk. Breaking the egg into a bowl allows you to throw away any remaining bits of shell before you start cooking. When it comes into contact with the oil or butter, you should hear a slight sizzle, it shouldn't crackle or splash.
Step 5. Let the eggs cook without touching them
Wait for the transparent edges to turn white. Once you can no longer see the bottom of the pan (because the surface will be covered by the cooked egg whites), you can continue. For now, don't try to move the eggs - they are gelatinous and will likely return to their place.
It usually takes 1-3 minutes
Step 6. Once the edges are white, cover the pan and turn the heat down
Place a lid on the pan to trap the steam. In this way, the surface of the egg will cook and the egg white will set. This is the best way to keep the yolk liquid, as excess direct heat can cook the yolk from below before the egg white is fully cooked.
Step 7. Observe the consistency of the yolk
Lift the lid of the pan and gently tap the yolk with your finger. When the egg whites no longer have raw transparent jelly-like pieces, the egg is ready. If you want it to have a harder texture, keep cooking it, otherwise plate it up and serve it immediately.
On average, this process takes about five minutes from the moment the egg comes into contact with the pan until the end of cooking
Step 8. Lift the egg out of the pan with a spatula in a quick, firm motion
You have to lift it up and put it on the plate right away to avoid breaking it. Serve it: enjoy your meal!
Season it with salt and pepper to taste while it is still hot
Method 2 of 2: Serve the Fried Eggs
Step 1. Fry the egg in hot oil to get a golden crust and liquid yolk
To do this, heat 60 ml or four tablespoons of olive oil, no less. When you open the egg and pour it into the pan, flip it so that the oil and egg slide to the edge, but remember not to move it away from the heat. As it cooks, use a spoon to pour boiling olive oil over the surface of the egg. Once the edges are golden and crunchy, lift the egg with a spatula, season with salt and pepper, then serve.
- Be careful: the oil will splash and sizzle.
- With this process, the egg can cook in just 30-60 seconds.
Step 2. To prepare fried eggs, turn them halfway through cooking
Instead of putting a lid on the pan, flip the eggs once the egg white has thickened to quickly cook the surface of the yolk and make it solid. Make sure you use a lot of oil and move the spatula quickly and firmly to avoid breaking the egg.
Step 3. For a simple breakfast, serve an egg with toast
It is a classic breakfast in many countries, often accompanied by fruit or meat. To make it more substantial, you can also add:
- Spinach or rocket.
- Tomatoes and / or avocados.
- Bacon, sausage or ham.
- Cheese.
- Fried rice.
Step 4. Serve a fried egg with leftovers to make a nutritious meal
The vegetables, legumes, rice or pasta that you have stir-fried will thus acquire a richer flavor. If you have leftovers and want to immediately make them more appetizing or substantial with a side dish, a simple fried egg with a soft yolk is enough.
Step 5. If you want a rich, protein dish, add a fried egg to a sandwich or burger
You can also make an egg sandwich using a baguette or scone; then stuff it with cheese, an avocado and a tomato. You can also lay a fried egg with a soft yolk on top of a burger to add flavor to the meat.
Step 6. Make a recipe called huevos rancheros
This is an easy-to-make Mexican dish similar to an open burrito that is served for breakfast. To make it, place black beans, an avocado, a tomato, some cheese and salsa on 2-3 corn tortillas. If you like, you can also add other ingredients that are usually used to fill tacos. Finish composing the dish by placing a fried egg on it: enjoy your meal!
Fried eggs also go well with a regular or sweet potato pie, so instead of tortillas, you can use this dish for the base
Advice
- If a piece of shell ends up in the bowl, remove it with a spoon.
- Experiment to find the right temperature to get the desired result. Remember this for when you cook more eggs in the future.
- Do not season the fried egg until it is practically cooked.
- Fresh eggs are best for frying.
