Fried Egg Recipes

Fried Eggs

A staple of many breakfast meals, fried eggs can be served with toast, pancakes, a variety of meats, or simply by themselves for a quick start to the day. While it may seem there is no particular secret or skill involved in preparing this morning menu item, there are actually several methods of preparation.

Standard versions involve cooking the eggs in melted butter or oil until prepared according to individual tastes. Some cooks prefer to flip the eggs once the yolk has firmed slightly, a method that is generally referred to as “over easy.” The eggs may also be partially steamed rather than completely fried. Depending on the method of frying (using butter, oil, cooking spray, etc.), this may be a healthier way to cook them.

Tips for Cooking

Very fresh eggs are the best for frying because they will retain their shape and present the most pleasing appearance. To help keep them from spreading, open the eggs as close to the bottom of the pan as possible. Nonstick pans reduce the need for added butter, and fried eggs can also be blotted after cooking to help reduce the fat content. Adding a sprinkle of salt to the pan can also help keep them from sticking. For most people, a broken yolk in a fried egg is undesirable, making the selection and cooking methods all the more important for a pleasing result.

While the degree of firmness is up to an individual’s tastes, it is often better to err on the side of overcooking because of the potential for salmonella in undercooked eggs. Properly prepared, however, fried eggs are both nutritious and delicious.