“Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.” – Julia Childs
Of course we can take many notes from the Queen of Cooking, Julia Childs, but one of her most impactful philosophies was embracing simplicity in the kitchen – complicated doesn’t necessarily mean better! The best meals are the ones made with love; and is there any gift greater than waking up to one of the most classic staples of all – a simple and delicious fried egg?
Yet even with the simplest of spreads – we can’t skip the basics! Here’s a few tips from our stove to yours to create the perfect fried egg for your loved ones (and that includes self-love, of course).
Supply List
The best part of fried eggs is you likely have everything you need already in your kitchen! We don’t need any fancy equipment here – but there are some tools that might make life a little easier.
For one, frying eggs can be a real sticky situation. We need our eggs to be loosey goosey in order to flip them properly, so a non-stick pan will probably work best for this specific task.
Next, the right spatula will be your best friend when it comes to the perfect fried egg. If you have one, a super-thin spatula will make The Dreaded Flip feel like child’s play, especially if you’re used to working with a thick spatula that has a more rounded edge.
Chef Bob’s Golden Rule: Low and Slow
While some might prefer a contrast of textures in their eggs, Chef Bob isn’t a fan of crispy, lacey whites or brown bits in a scramble. The best things in life take patience – and that includes a perfect fried egg! Low and slow is the key to achieving that oh-so-yummy egg that could put the breakfast chains out of business.
Start by heating oil or butter in your pan on low (butter adds more flavor but is easier to burn, so make sure your pan is not too hot). Once the oil shimmers, crack your egg and cook for about 2 minutes on each side for an over easy egg.
Here comes the tricky part, but don’t worry, we’ll talk you through it.
The Dreaded Flip
We’ve all felt the frustration of cooking one side of an egg to perfection, only to break the pristine yolk upon The Dreaded Flip. But the good thing is – cooking your eggs on low heat makes it easier to prevent your flip from becoming a flop.
With your weapon in hand (your spatula, of course), make sure your egg is loose from the pan, confidently slip the spatula under the egg yolk, lift it up a little and gently turn over the egg into the pan. Voila!
If things don’t go as planned – try, try again! Practice makes perfect after all. Plus, you can always add some cheese and make a yummy breakfast sandwich out of an egg who just wasn’t destined for the perfect fry.
If things did go as planned, Chef’s hat off to you, my friend! It’s time to season!
The Secret Salts
A fried egg might be a simple staple, but there’s no reason it can’t stand out! Give your finished product an extra zhuzh (yes, we had to Google how to spell that) with Acme Salt’s Superior Salt Mix to make sure your family knows there’s nothing like a home-cooked egg!