How to cook an egg

Written By Sarah Joy

We all have a slightly different way of doing things and different preference on how well an egg is cooked. Our expertise is providing you with delicious tasting ingredients… the eggs. Here is how the chefs recommend you cook eggs in 4 classic ways:

How to boil an egg

DELIA SMITH’S way:

  • Let eggs come to room temperature before cooking to avoid cracking.

  • Use a timer — don’t guess cooking times.

  • Cook in a small saucepan at a gentle simmer, not a fast boil.

  • Adjust timing slightly for very fresh eggs (add 30 seconds).

  • Soft boiled - She says - Simmer for 1 minute, then remove pan from heat, cover with a lid. Leave to stand: 6 mins = runny yolk, 7 mins = creamier yolk with set white.

  • Hard Boiled - Delia says: Place eggs in cold water (cover by 1 cm), bring to boil then simmer 6–7 mins, depending on how firm you like the yolk. Drain, cool rapidly under cold water, then peel from the wide end to avoid dark rings and make peeling easier.

  • See the full step-by-step method by Delia Smith here


How to Poach an eggs

DELIA SMITH’s way

  • Use really fresh eggs – this is key to successful poaching.

  • Gently slide eggs into barely simmering water (no egg poacher or whirlpool needed).

  • Poach until the whites are set but yolks remain soft, then lift out carefully.

  • Full instructions here: Delia Online – How to Poach an Egg.




How to Fry Eggs

  • Start with the freshest eggs you can find. Heat a little oil or butter in a pan.

  • For a classic fried egg with crispy edges and a soft, runny yolk, cook over medium–high heat until the white is set.

  • Prefer a gentler finish? Use a lower heat from the start for no crisp edges, or cook a little longer if you like the yolk firmer.

👉 Full step-by-step method here: Delia Online – How to Fry an Egg

How to cook Scrambled Eggs

  • Use butter for flavour and creaminess, but don’t overdo it. (oil would be fine too)

  • Cook eggs gently over low heat, stirring slowly to avoid dryness.

  • Remove from heat while still slightly runny; the residual heat will finish cooking to a creamy consistency.

  • Full instructions here: Delia Online – How to Make Scrambled Eggs.

 

Further Reading

Sarah Joy
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Egg Recipes