The Different Ways to Cook Eggs

Eggs are one of the easiest things to cook and can be combined with a number of different foods. By itself, the egg can be scrambled, fried, boiled, poached, or baked. The yolk of an egg is high in cholesterol but it is also packed with nutrition. Compared to meals made with hamburger, pork, and other meats which are saturated with fat, a plate of eggs can actually be a healthier choice.

The white of the egg is high in protein with no artery-clogging cholesterol. It can be separated from the yolk and used in a number of different recipes or cooked and eaten by itself. To separate the egg, simply crack it in half over a dish and pass the yolk back and forth in the two half shells as the white drops into the dish.

Basic scrambled eggs are quick, easy, and nutritious.Melt about a tablespoon of butter, margarine, or oil in a hot skillet, scramble two or three eggs, pour them in and stir until eggs are done then salt and pepper to taste. Some people like to add a little milk to the eggs before scrambling.

Omelets are prepared in basically the same way except the eggs are whipped to frothy foam then poured into the hot skillet. Once it rises, sprinkle ingredients over it such as cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms, or breakfast meat then fold it over.

The fried egg is relatively easy as well. For what is commonly referred to as "over easy" simply crack the egg into a hot oiled or buttered skillet, cook for about thirty seconds then flip and cook another thirty seconds. For "over medium" cook the egg a few seconds longer until the white is completely done and for "over well" cook until yolk is partially or completely solid.

Some like flat fried eggs which is the easiest way to cook them. Crack the egg in a hot skillet, break the yolk, and cook to your liking. They can also be cooked in the microwave. Pour the scrambled eggs into a dish sprayed with cooking oil or butter and microwave on high for 10 to 15 seconds. The yolk should be broken or it could pop and splatter.

Flat fried eggs make good sandwiches on most any type of bread such as white or wheat bread or toast, bagels, English muffins, or biscuits. A laced egg is a well done fried egg with crispy edges. The egg is dropped into a hot oiled skillet which splatters the white, creating a laced edge which cooks up brown and crisp.

Boiled eggs take a little longer to cook. Put eggs into a pot and cover with water. When water comes to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Cooking times vary depending upon personal preference. Hard boiled is usually about twenty minutes. For runny yolks reduce cooking time to three minutes.

Poached eggs are similar to boiled but are cooked in water without the shell. There are special pots specifically for poached eggs, but are not absolutely necessary. The special pots keep the egg from spreading as it cooks which makes it simple. However, eggs can be cracked into a small pot of steaming water and cooked to one's liking.

If cholesterol is a problem simply separate the yolks and cook the whites which are high in necessary protein. If eggs are being prepared for a main meal, remember that they probably contain less cholesterol and saturated fat than a hamburger or a fried chicken.

Lastly, eggs are quick, easy, nutritious, and relatively inexpensive. What's not to like? They keep for weeks in the refrigerator and can be used as a main meal or a quick snack.