Jamie Oliver's ultimate poached eggs 'works every time'

Rye Bread with smashed avocado, smoked salmon and poached egg with yolk flow
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


If poached eggs on toast is something you enjoy for breakfast (because who doesn't?) then you are about to elevate your morning staple with Jamie Oliver's latest cooking tip taking your brekkie from average to egg-cellent.

The celebrity chef shares his secrets in a YouTube video titled 'How to Make Perfect Poached Eggs - Three Ways', where he guarantees "super, silky, gorgeous eggs every time". Jamie's top tip is straightforward: "The only way to poach the perfect egg is if you have really, really fresh eggs - end of story."

If you're wondering how to pick the freshest eggs, Jamie has the answer - and it's all about your eggs and water. He says: "When it gets to shopping, don't go to the front, go to the back and get your eggs". He explains that the best eggs are usually hidden at the back of the shelf.

With the freshest eggs in hand, Jamie suggests heating a pan of water until it's bubbling, then taking it off the heat to let the bubbles calm down, reports the Mirror. The chef stresses that the crucial difference between boiling and poaching boiling is too harsh and will "smash the eggs all around", but poaching needs a gentle simmer. He recommends cracking the egg into a bowl first, then carefully tipping it into the water.

He reassures home cooks: "If you have lovely fresh eggs, you're going to win most of the time". For those who prefer their eggs "softish egg", he suggests a cooking time of around three minutes. The outcome should be akin to a "lovely, fresh, springy mozzarella".

Serve your egg on a delightful slice of toast. For an additional creamy flavour, toss in some avocado. Alternatively, for a unique twist, add a few slices of smoked salmon.