The fried eggs are fried in a pan and cooked on both sides, so that the yolk thickens a little while remaining liquid. Preparing this dish is very simple! All you need is a spatula, a pan, some butter and a few eggs. Also, if you are a little worried about having to turn the eggs, there is a way to prepare them without the need to.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Traditional Fried Eggs
Step 1. Heat a small amount of fat in a non-stick pan
Turn on the stove and set it to medium or medium-low heat. Add some of your favorite fat (do not use less than 15g, to preserve the non-stick properties of the pan); you can start cooking when it starts to sizzle.
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There are different types of grease you can use, here are some tips:
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- Butter or margarine.
- Olive oil.
- Bacon fat (very handy if you just cooked bacon for breakfast in the same pan as well).
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Step 2. Break the eggs into a separate container
Get a bowl, cup, or baking dish large enough to hold the eggs. Break them on the side by tapping them on the edge of the container and drop the yolk and egg white. To save time, do this while you wait for the pan to heat up.
Do not directly break the eggs into the hot pan, otherwise the yolk is more likely to break and the eggs will not cook evenly. Also, you will have a harder time controlling where they will fall in the pan
Step 3. Transfer the eggs to the pan
Transfer them from the container to the pan and immediately lift the handle so that they slide into the furthest part of the pan. Wait 10-15 seconds to allow the bottom of the eggs to coagulate together, then lower the handle so the pan rests normally on the stove. Shake the pan gently to prevent the eggs from sticking or move them carefully with the spatula.
If you move the eggs all together in a corner of the pan at the start of cooking, allow the egg whites to solidify into a single "block" instead of letting them spread all over the bottom of the pan and cook unevenly
Step 4. Wait for the bottom of the eggs to thicken
At this point you can let them cook undisturbed for a minute or two. You need to make sure the egg whites have settled (but not hardened) before proceeding. Depending on the characteristics of the pan and the flame you are using, it will take 45-60 seconds.
Check the edges of the egg whites, as they are thinner than the center, they tend to solidify first. When you realize that they are well coagulated, you can continue in the various stages of preparation, even if the eggs seem a bit liquid in the center
Step 5. Turn the eggs
When the edges and base have solidified, but the egg whites around the yolks are still transparent, slide the spatula under the eggs. Lift them from the pan and turn them over with a single, quick twist of the wrist. Try to drop them gently into the pan to avoid breaking the yolks. There is no problem if you accidentally "fold" an edge under the central part, because it won't change the final result much.
If you're feeling brave, you can also flip the eggs in the pan alone, spinning them around in mid-air. To do this, push the pan away from you and snap the edge up with a sudden movement. Lift the pan to "catch" the eggs as they turn. It is not a simple movement, so use the spatula if you are not an experienced cook
Step 6. Turn the eggs again
The second side doesn't have to cook for very long. Count to ten and then slide the spatula under it again to turn the eggs again. The tops of the eggs should now be just thickened.
The short cooking of the second side (only 10 seconds) is essential. Your goal is to just solidify the edge of the yolk to hold a still liquid heart
Step 7. Bring to the table
Congratulations! You made the fried eggs! Transfer them from the pan to the plate and accompany them with toast, bacon, potato pancakes or your favorite breakfast food.
Method 2 of 3: Fried Eggs Not Upside Down
Step 1. Cook the first side as usual
This method allows you to prepare fried eggs without physically flipping them and is the best solution if you have had difficulty turning them in the past. The first few steps are the same as in the traditional technique:
- Heat some cooking fat (butter, bacon fat, and so on) in a skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
- Break the eggs into a separate container before transferring them to the boiling pan.
- Tilt the pan to bring the egg whites and yolks together in a corner, and when they are solidified, return the pan to its normal position. Continue cooking for a minute or two.
Step 2. Add the water and lid
Pour 15 ml of water for each egg into the pan and cover everything with a lid that ensures a good seal. The water will turn into steam and cook the top side of the eggs. In this way the characteristic coagulated film is formed over the yolks without having turned the eggs upside down.
If you are cooking on a flat plate and not in a pan, then pour the water next to the eggs and then place the raised lid on top of the water and eggs to retain the steam
Step 3. Steam over low heat for a minute or two
The steam isn't able to cook the top side as fast as direct contact with the pan, so you need to give it a little more time. The eggs are "fried" when a light white patina forms over the yolks which, however, still remain liquid.
- Remember to reduce the heat to low to prevent the underside of the eggs from overcooking with the heat of the pan.
- If after a minute or two it seems that the eggs are not cooked, then turn off the stove and let the residual heat continue cooking for a while longer.
Step 4. Bring the eggs to the table and enjoy them
With this method, you don't have to turn the eggs a second time; Just remove the lid (carefully, as the steam can burn you) and transfer your meal to a plate.
Method 3 of 3: Presentation Tips
Step 1. Season the eggs with salt and pepper
Fried eggs are a rich and creamy dish, but this does not mean that they must be eaten naturally. Salt and pepper are very common condiments and go perfectly with the flavor of the eggs. Do not serve eggs without a salt and pepper shaker on the table.
Some cooks like to season eggs while they are still in the pan. If you want to do this too, sprinkle the salt and pepper while the underside of the eggs is cooking (before turning them upside down)
Step 2. Enjoy the eggs on top of the toast
A toast, whether white or wholemeal bread, is perfect with eggs. Its crunchiness goes well with the soft texture of the eggs. Also, you can use bread to soak up the still liquid yolk; alternatively, make an egg sandwich with your favorite breakfast ingredients.
You can replace the toast with potato pancakes if you like
Step 3. Try the hot sauce
The natural flavor of eggs is very mild, making it a perfect base for spicy condiments. A little hot sauce (like tabasco) sprinkled on fried eggs turns a mundane dish into a fantastic meal. Just be very careful not to overdo it.
Step 4. Try some uncommon herbs and spices
If you're feeling pretty bold, you can try to season the eggs with ingredients you wouldn't usually see in neighborhood dinners. Add the herbs, spices and ingredients that are listed below to give the eggs an interesting flavor. Start with small amounts and, if you like them, increase the doses to your taste!
- Dill.
- Cayenne pepper (just a light sprinkle).
- Basil.
- Sun dried tomatoes.
- Sturgeon or whitefish.
- Caviar.
Advice
- Make sure the pan is very hot before cooking the eggs. If you heat them while you cook them, the egg whites will take on a chewy texture.
- To avoid burning yourself with grease splashes, wear an apron, long-sleeved shirt, or oven mitts. Never fry eggs unprotected, especially if you're using bacon fat.
