If you’ve ever tried to poach an egg before, you know that it can sometimes be a frustrating process.  Here’s the method professional chefs use to make a perfect poached egg.

Serve poached eggs on toast (perhaps with Kurobuta bacon?) or add them in soups or other dishes to add richness.  We recommend you purchase more eggs than you plan on serving in case one breaks.

The eggs being poached here are duck eggs, though the technique works for any egg…some chefs even poach quail eggs (this can be quite difficult because of their small size).

1. Bring the water to temperature

Use a thermometer to bring the poaching water to 165 degrees. At this point you should see small bubbles forming on the bottom of the pan, but the water should not be moving vigorously.  More heat and you’ll overcook the yolk, more motion and you’ll break up the white. You don’t need a lot of water…maybe a half-inch. The less water you have the easier it is to make any necessary temperature adjustments.

2. Crack the egg

Break the egg into a bowl being careful not to break the yolk. The smaller the bowl the better, as you need to be able to gently float the egg in the poaching water.

3. Gently slide the egg into the water and cook

Swirl the water gently with a spoon or spatula and lay the egg into the pot (the swirl helps gather and concentrate the white). As the white begins to cook you can fold it over the yolk for better presentation.

4.  Lift the egg from the water gently

When the yolk becomes slightly firm and the white has coagulated completely (approximately 2-3 minutes) it is ready to be pulled out. Gently lift the egg with a slotted spoon allowing all excess water to drain away.

5. Serve immediately