How to cook eggs – 7 different ways

Eggs are a great breakfast staple, but they can go far beyond that as well. A cheap and affordable meal for almost anyone, eggs are packed full of nutrition and are easy to cook. From the microwave to the stove top to the oven, you can practically cook eggs anywhere. Even over an open flame. With that in mind, here’s how to cook eggs in 7 different ways:

1 Plain Eggs

Sometimes the best ways are the simplest. Cooking an egg as is with a bit of salt and pepper is my favorite. You get the full egg flavor with minimal effort. Hard boiled, soft boiled, over hard, over easy, sunny side up, or poached are your options here.

1.1 Hard Boiled

A hard-boiled egg is cooked in its shell. This is a good method for cooking as it requires no oil or even any complex methods. All you need is some boiling water and you have a hard-boiled egg. Boil the egg for nine to thirteen minutes depending on the size. To prevent greening or unpleasant smells, immediately cool the egg in cool water or an ice bath.

1.2 Soft Boiled

Another method of cooking an egg in its shell, this time the egg is not fully cooked. The yolk is still soft and runny although the white should be mostly firm. Boil the egg for five to six minutes then cool immediately. You should carefully crack the shell and use a spoon to scoop out the interior. Serve with toast for a tasty and fun dipping treat.

1.3 Over Hard

For those of us who are not fans of runny egg yolk, over hard is your cup of tea. An over hard egg is fully cooked on both sides so that both the white and yolk are firm. Lightly oil a skillet and turn on to a medium heat. Crack the egg into the skillet and cook until the whites are firm and the egg yolk is almost firm. Turn over and cook until the yolk is fully firm and then serve.

1.4 Over Easy

Unlike the over hard egg, the over easy egg still has a runny yolk. However the white is fully cooked. An over easy egg should be cooked similarly to the over hard egg. Only do not let the yolk go firm. Turn the egg over once the white is fully cooked and let it cook for only a few seconds before serving. This will make sure there is a think cooked layer over the yolk without actually cooking the yolk.

1.5 Sunny Side Up

Like an over easy egg, the sunny side up egg had a runny yolk. However you never turn over a sunny side up egg. Instead let the white fully cook and then serve. There is usually some white left uncooked near the yolk and the yolk is a very vibrant yellow color, hence the name.

1.6 Poached

Last on our list of plain eggs is the poached egg. Poached eggs are cooked in water instead of oil, however their shells are removed before cooking. To prepare a poached egg, take a skillet and place in it enough water to almost cover the cracked egg. Bring to a light boil over medium heat and then crack the egg into the water. Add a pinch of salt to keep the egg firm. Cook the egg until the white is firm or all the way through if you prefer. To make sure the top is cooked spoon some boiling water over it repeatedly.

2 Scrambled

Scrambled eggs are a childhood favorite and are common in many homes. Unlike plain eggs, scrambled eggs often have extra ingredients to help make the eggs go further or to amplify the taste. In my home we add ingredients like milk or cheese. To make plain scrambled eggs take a mixing bowl and crack the eggs into it. For one person this would be two to three eggs. Add in about a teaspoon of water per egg. Flavor with salt and pepper and mix well, making sure the ingredients are incorporated. Pour into a prepared oiled skillet on medium heat and cook, mixing often, until almost firm. The eggs will continue cooking after removal so try to take them out on time so they do not dry out. For cheesy scrambled eggs, simply add in a handful of the shredded cheese of your choice when mixing the eggs with the milk.

3 Egg Tacos

A Tex-Mex favorite for breakfast, egg tacos are both portable for on the go eating and very tasty. They are also easy to make. First chop up the vegetables and flavorings of your choice. I like to use green peppers and onions, chopped finely. Oil a skillet and turn to medium high heat. Cook the chopped onions and green pepper until fully cooked. Then add the scrambled eggs (using above recipe). Stir and cook until eggs are done and set aside. Heat flour tortillas until warm. Place the egg mixture in the tortillas and top with shredded cheese and salsa.

4 Omelet

I have never successfully made an omelet. Well, I exaggerate, but some days it feels more like an art or a sport than a method of cooking. Essentially, you take the recipe for the scrambled eggs only once it gets in the pan you don’t stir it. The idea is to have a perfectly formed shape instead of a bunch of lumps. You can add in all sorts of ingredients like herbs, vegetables, and cheeses. It takes some effort to keep it on low and let it cook through but it is worth it, plus it looks nicer.

5 Quiche

I love quiche! It is such a quick, easy and tasty dinner. It also looks fancy without any work at all. I start out with premade pie shells, which makes it all much easier. Take a mixing bowl and six eggs. Crack the eggs and beat well. Add in ingredients. For a basic cheese quiche, add in ½ to one cup of shredded cheese, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste, 1 cup of milk, and ½ teaspoon of thyme or other herbs. I like to add in bacon bits or small cubes of ham for a meaty treat. Feta cheese crumbles and cooked chopped spinach are also a great addition! Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

6 Egg Salad

From sandwiches to just plain good eating, egg salad is a great way to spice up eggs for any occasion. It is very simple to make too. The classic egg salad has a slightly sweet flavor but there are variations from spicy to sour. My recipe goes something like this: Take six hard boiled eggs, shells removed, and chop them up. Add in a quarter cup of mayonnaise, a tablespoon of minced onion, a teaspoon of lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, half a cup of finely chopped celery, two tablespoons of sugar, and a quarter cup of sweet pickle relish with juice and mix gently. You can also add in a bit of mustard for a tangy boost.

7 Egg Custard

Last but not least is a dessert version of the incredible edible egg. Egg custard is simple and rich in flavor. An egg custard you may be more familiar with is Crème Brulee. For a simple and tasty vanilla flavored egg custard here is a recipe: Mix together four eggs, three cups of milk, half a cup of sugar, one and a half teaspoons of vanilla, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon if desired. Pour into individual ramekins. Place the ramekins in a pan of water, making sure the water reaches about three quarters of the way up the sides of the dishes. Place into a 350 degree oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and water bath and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

As you can see, the wonderful egg can be cooked in many different ways. It is so much fun to see something so simple turn into something so tasty. Try some of these methods of cooking your eggs and see what new dishes you will fall in love with.

Author Bio: Paul Taylor started www.babysittingjobs.com which offers an aggregated look at those sites to help families find sitters and to help sitters find families easier than ever. He loves writing, with the help of his wife. He has contributed quality articles for different blogs & websites.