Mary Berry poached eggs are the perfect way to start your day. They are soft, creamy, and delicious, and they go well with toast, bacon, avocado, or salad. They are also easy to make, with only a few ingredients and steps. You don’t need any special equipment or skills to poach eggs. All you need is a saucepan, a slotted spoon, a bowl, and a timer.
In this article, I will show you how to make Mary Berry’s poached eggs, with a complete step-by-step guide. You will also learn some tips and tricks to make your eggs even better. Let’s get started!
What are Mary Berry Poached Eggs?
Mary Berry poached eggs are a classic British breakfast, made with eggs that are gently cooked in simmering water until the whites are set and the yolks are runny. They are named after Mary Berry, a famous British cook, writer, and television presenter, who published this recipe in her book Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites in 2015. This recipe is simple, quick, and foolproof, and it produces perfectly poached eggs every time.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are many reasons to love this recipe for Mary Berry poached eggs.
Here are some of them:
- Health Benefits: Poached eggs are low in calories, high in protein, and rich in nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. They are also gluten-free and keto-friendly.
- Ease of Preparation: This recipe is very easy, requiring only a few minutes of cooking time and minimal cleanup.
- Versatility: Poached eggs are versatile, as they can be served with various accompaniments, such as toast, bacon, avocado, spinach, cheese, or hollandaise sauce.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Poached Eggs Recipe
You will need the following ingredients, to make this recipe:
- Eggs: Use fresh, large eggs, preferably organic or free-range. Fresh eggs have firmer whites and yolks, which hold their shape better when poached.
- Water: Use enough water to fill a large saucepan about two-thirds full. You can add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water, which helps the egg whites coagulate faster and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Salt and pepper: Season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste, after they are cooked.
Useful Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need the following equipment:
- A large saucepan
- A slotted spoon
- A bowl
- A timer
Instructions to Make Mary Berry Poached Eggs
To make Mary Berry poached eggs, you need to follow these steps:
What Do I Serve With Mary Berry Poached Eggs?
Mary Berry poached eggs are delicious on their own, or with a variety of accompaniments.
Here are some suggestions:
- Toast: Serve the poached eggs on top of toasted bread, such as sourdough, whole wheat, or rye. You can spread some butter, jam, or cream cheese on the toast, for extra flavor and moisture.
- Bacon: Serve the poached eggs with some crispy bacon, for a classic breakfast combo. You can use regular bacon, turkey bacon, or vegetarian bacon, depending on your preference and dietary needs.
- Avocado: Serve the poached eggs with some sliced or mashed avocado, for a creamy and healthy addition. You can sprinkle some lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes on the avocado, for some extra zing and spice.
- Salad: Serve the poached eggs with some fresh salad, such as spinach, arugula, kale, or lettuce. You can toss the salad with some olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs, for a simple and refreshing dressing.
- Cheese: Serve the poached eggs with some grated or crumbled cheese, such as cheddar, parmesan, feta, or goat cheese. You can melt the cheese on top of the eggs, or sprinkle it over the eggs, for a cheesy and savory touch.
- Hollandaise sauce: Serve the poached eggs with some hollandaise sauce, for a rich and decadent treat. Hollandaise sauce is a classic French sauce, made with egg yolks, butter, lemon juice, and salt. You can make it from scratch, or use a ready-made sauce, and drizzle it over the eggs, for a smooth and tangy finish.
Variations of Mary Berry Poached Eggs
You can make some variations of Mary Berry poached eggs, by adding some different ingredients or flavors to the eggs, or by serving them with different accompaniments.
Here are some ideas:
- Spicy poached eggs: Add some red pepper flakes, cumin, paprika, or chili powder to the water, to give the eggs some heat and spice. Serve the eggs with some salsa, guacamole, or cilantro, for a Mexican twist.
- Herbed poached eggs: Add some fresh or dried herbs, such as parsley, basil, thyme, or rosemary, to the water, to give the eggs some aroma and flavor. Serve the eggs with some butter, cheese, or cream, for a French touch.
- Curried poached eggs: Add some curry powder, turmeric, or garam masala, to the water, to give the eggs some color and taste. Serve the eggs with some yogurt, chutney, or naan bread, for an Indian flair.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Poached Eggs
To make perfect Mary Berry poached eggs, follow these pro tips:
- Use fresh eggs: Fresh eggs have firmer whites and yolks, which hold their shape better when poached. To check the freshness of an egg, place it in a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom, it is fresh. If it floats to the top, it is old and should be discarded.
- Use room temperature eggs: Room temperature eggs cook more evenly and faster than cold eggs. To bring an egg to room temperature, place it in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes, or leave it on the counter for 30 minutes, before cracking it.
- Use a gentle simmer: A gentle simmer is the ideal temperature for poaching eggs, as it allows the eggs to cook slowly and gently, without overcooking or breaking. A gentle simmer is when the water is barely bubbling, with small bubbles rising to the surface. If the water is too hot, the eggs will overcook and become rubbery. If the water is too cold, the eggs will not cook properly and fall apart.