How to Cook an Egg "Over Easy"

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cook an egg "over easy"

How to Cook an Egg "Over Easy"

Cooking eggs "over easy" isn't difficult with two simple secrets.

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Step 1 of 15

Eggs prepared 'over easy' (sometimes called 'over light') are cooked on both sides lightly enough so that the yolk is runny and the surrounding egg white is soft.

Step 2 of 15

It's a common method of preparing eggs in many countries (with many regional variations of course), but the basic preparation isn't terribly difficult.

Step 3 of 15

The secret lies not in TIMING but rather in watching how the appearance of the egg changes during cooking and getting a feel for the right time to flip it so you get the consistency you like.

Step 4 of 15
If needed, lightly spray your pan with light cooking spray. You don't need butter or heavy oil.  I like to get under my eggs easily, so I'll lightly spray a non-stick pan for extra lubrication.

If needed, lightly spray your pan with light cooking spray. You don't need butter or heavy oil. I like to get under my eggs easily, so I'll lightly spray a non-stick pan for extra lubrication.

Step 5 of 15
Preheat stove. On mine, I use a medium / high setting. You don't need it too hot; we don't want the egg too cook too quickly.

Preheat stove. On mine, I use a medium / high setting. You don't need it too hot; we don't want the egg too cook too quickly.

Step 6 of 15
Here's the first secret: notice how an egg is made up of three separate layers. 1) a very thin "under white" 2) a thicker layer of egg white 3) the egg yolk.

Here's the first secret: notice how an egg is made up of three separate layers. 1) a very thin "under white" 2) a thicker layer of egg white 3) the egg yolk.

Step 7 of 15
You want to watch layer # 2. Watch for when it starts to turn opaque. For contrast notice the egg at bottom is further along than the egg at top.

You want to watch layer # 2. Watch for when it starts to turn opaque. For contrast notice the egg at bottom is further along than the egg at top.

Step 8 of 15
How opaque you let the egg white get is a matter of taste. I like mine fairly runny so as soon as it starts to thicken I make my move...

How opaque you let the egg white get is a matter of taste. I like mine fairly runny so as soon as it starts to thicken I make my move...

Step 9 of 15

It takes practice to flip your egg without breaking the yolk; you'll develop a feel for it.

Step 10 of 15
Using a good, stiff spatula, get under the egg at the yolk and gently flip it. This egg is now upside down in the pan.

Using a good, stiff spatula, get under the egg at the yolk and gently flip it. This egg is now upside down in the pan.

Step 11 of 15

Just be slow and gentle and really try to lift the egg by centering the yolk on your spatula so the weight is fully supported. Flip slowly and gently so the yolk doesn't break on landing.

Step 12 of 15
Now for secret # 2: remove the pan from heat. The residual heat of the pan is all you need to cook the top side of the egg.

Now for secret # 2: remove the pan from heat. The residual heat of the pan is all you need to cook the top side of the egg.

Step 13 of 15

Staying on the hot ring will almost certainly overlook your egg. I let mine sit for 20-30 seconds in the hot pan, but over a cold element.

Step 14 of 15
Transfer from pan to plate (flip it back to right-side-up on your plate) and garnish with a little salt, pepper and add some parsley flakes for presentation.

Transfer from pan to plate (flip it back to right-side-up on your plate) and garnish with a little salt, pepper and add some parsley flakes for presentation.

Step 15 of 15
Mmm. Yummy eggs over easy. Enjoy!

Mmm. Yummy eggs over easy. Enjoy!

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4 Comments
Supplies

1 Frypan

Eggs

1 Good quality spatula

Cooking spray (if required)

Salt, pepper, parsley (to taste)

SingO Bird

Thanks. Big help. Traditionally does my family always fry eggs until they become dry and crispy, and I've never really been a fan of fried egg for that, but this was pretty good, now I'll just probably have to use a second pan for my special egg :)

SingO Bird 10 months ago

Matthew Smith

Oops. Sorry.

Matthew Smith last year

Matthew Smith

Hbvhjdcbj

Matthew Smith last year

Claire Frederick

Onomnomnom! 😃

Claire Frederick last year

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