Poached eggs are a breakfast classic that can elevate any dish, from a simple toast to a gourmet salad. But let’s be honest—traditional poaching techniques can be time-consuming and messy. If you’ve ever wished for an easy and fast way to get perfect poached eggs, this microwave hack will be your new best friend. In just 60 seconds, you can enjoy a delicious poached egg in your meals.
How to make microwave-poached eggs
Forget about boiling water in a pot and risking an egg disaster. With just a microwave, a ramekin, and some water, you’ll have breakfast ready in no time. Let’s see the step-by-step:
Step 1: Prepare your water and ramekin
Grab a ramekin or a small microwave-safe bowl and fill it with about half a cup of room-temperature water. You want enough water to fully submerge your egg. For an extra boost of flavor, add a pinch of salt to the water.
Pro tip: Using room-temperature water helps the egg cook more evenly.
Step 2: Crack the egg
Gently crack an egg and slide it into the water. Be careful not to break the yolk. The egg should settle at the bottom of the ramekin.
Step 3: Poke the egg yolk
To prevent any microwave mishaps (like a yolk explosion), poke the yolk with a toothpick. This step is crucial to release steam as the egg cooks.
Step 4: Cook the egg
Put the ramekin into the microwave and cook on high for about 45 seconds. This timing should yield a runny yolk, but if you prefer it firmer, increase the cooking time in sets of five seconds. Keep in mind that microwaves vary, so it may take a bit of trial and error at first to find your perfect timing.
Pro tip: If the egg white still looks a bit translucent after cooking, give it another five seconds until it is firmer.
Step 5: Remove and serve
Carefully lift the poached egg out of the water using a slotted spoon or a small strainer. Drain any excess water before serving.
How to enjoy your poached egg
Now that you’ve nailed your perfect poached egg, it’s time to serve it. Here are a few tasty ideas:
- Classic toast: Place it on a slice of buttered toast and sprinkle some flaky salt and cracked black pepper on top.
- Avocado toast: Mash some ripe avocado onto the toast, lay your egg on top, and finish with chili flakes and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Greens and grains: For a healthy meal, serve your poached egg over sautéed spinach, quinoa, or rice. Top it with hot sauce, chili crisp, or even spicy hummus.
This poached egg hack will save you time and effort, making it easy to enjoy a gourmet-style breakfast any day of the week. With minimal prep and clean-up, this method will impress even the biggest breakfast lovers. Give it a try, and you might never go back to the old way of poaching eggs.