How to perfectly poach an egg. | Fran Berger

Every home cook should know how to perfectly poach an egg. It is the perfect topper for avocado toast or a warm bowl of ramen. I want to let you in on my little secret- you can do this in less than a minute in your microwave. Seriously. And I think it comes out even better than with the fussy stovetop method. Check it out!

Fran Berger is unquestionably an entertaining dynamo, with an inimitable combination of elegance and edge. After mastering an incredibly successful over 20-year run as the original owner of The Farm of Beverly Hills®, a much-ballyhooed Beverly Hills landmark and Los Angeles area mini-chain of restaurants, where the Cobb Salad and Brownies have become gastronomic staples, Fran has gone on to earn her place in the national spotlight as one of the country's go-to home entertaining experts, becoming a recognizable face on daytime television and in consumer lifestyle media.

Fran's years of knowledge as an established entrepreneur and restaurateur are fused with her love of entertaining. Fran recognized people have so many concerns over entertaining — what to serve, how to serve it, and how to plan overall — making her ability to provide guidance, recommendations, and assistance in curating a personal entertaining style in high demand.

Fran doesn't plan parties. Instead, she works closely with her clients, who like a sophisticated lifestyle. She helps them curate the perfect bespoke experience for their guests. She knows all of her clients want to impress their guests with sophistication. Those she chooses to work with include some clients who may be just dipping their feet into the shallow end of the pool vis-à-vis entertaining and not sure where to start. They may need help organizing or reorganizing their dining areas after many years in the same home. Or, perhaps maybe those who have just purchased a beautiful new home and are now looking for the perfect refined collection of kitchenware.

As she excitedly proclaims, "If you're not comfortable entertaining, you're simply not going to do it, and then you've lost the opportunity for the joy in your life of having people come together. To me, this is the essence of life itself — inviting people together to get to know one another on a deeper level and having great fun over fabulous food."

Instructions

1. Crack an egg on a flat surface to avoid getting any shell in the egg.
2. Carefully place the cracked egg into a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Add water to the bowl, making sure to cover the yolk of the egg.
4. Microwave the bowl with the egg and water. The exact time will vary depending on the microwave's power. Start with 50 seconds and adjust accordingly through experimentation (e.g., 45 seconds or 60 seconds).
5. Once the microwave is done, carefully remove the bowl using oven mitts or a towel to protect your hands. Use a slotted spoon to lift the poached egg out of the water in the bowl.
6. Allow the excess water to drain off the egg by gently shaking the spoon.
7. If desired, place the poached egg on a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture. Season the poached egg with salt, ground pepper, and chili flakes (optional).
8. Your poached egg is now ready to be enjoyed!
9. Please note that this method uses a microwave to poach the egg, which may result in a different texture compared to traditional stovetop poaching methods.

Video Editing: Andy Riddle

Production: Shannon O’Dowd

Management: Brandi Kamenar, @brandikamenar
https://www.brandikamenar.com/