Monday, January 23, 2012

Time-saving Breakfast: Microwave Egg Poaching and Scrambling

On my most organized days, I blend a smoothie while making the kids breakfast and pour it in a jar to take to work. Though clients complain about a lack of time in the morning, I find the actual scrambling of an egg or tossing veggies in the juicer doesn’t take all that long. Having said that, I generally have eggs boiled in advance  (click for instructions) and a couple Organic Avenue concoctions for really rushed days. My clients want quick and usually shy away from meals requiring extensive clean up at 7am.

In our house, the microwave should be called the defroster. The only items that end up inside it come from the freezer (chili, pancakes I made and froze, peas for kids’ pasta). Oh and yes, at times popcorn (not in the nasty bags) is popped in there too. I have been intrigued by the recent egg ads suggesting the microwave for scrambled eggs.  I tried this with a little Greek yogurt in place of the milk called for. I then tested it with a little Parmesan cheese.

I was also intrigued by The Kitchn’s suggestion to poach an egg in the microwave. I followed suggestions to poke the yolk so it didn’t explode and to add a little water and vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar). Changing the power level is beyond the scope of my microwaving abilities but it didn’t matter after 60 seconds I had a poached egg, my first poached egg I might say. I liked this even better than the scrambling method as I love a good runny yolk. Remove the egg from the mug with a spoon and transfer to plate.  I enjoyed my egg over leftover sautéed mushrooms. Any cooked vegetables or even salad greens would work. Since I’m not generally a poacher I would add this method to my morning routine

After a few tries:
Poached Eggs a la Microwave
Fill a mug to 1/3 full with water. Add a dash of vinegar. Crack an egg into the mug. Poke the yolk gently with a fork (or toothpick). Place cup in microwave, cover with a plate to avoid a really bad clean up job. Microwave 60 seconds or continue in 20-second intervals until set. Remove egg from vinegar water and spoon into plate. Viola.

 I’ve found something to cook in that microwave and my smoothies have some competition.
Have you tried the mico-egg thing? What do you use the microwave for? Any microphobes out there? What are your time-saving breakfast tips?Try this and let me know what you think.
*If you think this post could use a few pictures, let me just say GO GIANTS!*

28 comments:

  1. It takes me less than 5 minutes to fry an egg, crumble a small amount of cheese on top and eat it. Clean up is done in the evening. With the low cal bread, oil and a little cheese, it all comes out to under 220 calories. On gym morning days I have a boiled egg and a banana.

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  2. Agreed Byzbee but the poaching method is nice, no oil, no pan.

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    1. I only use a small quarter tsp of coconut oil. Getting good fat into my diet has sometimes been an issue for me as I was sometimes in single digits for fat. As to the pan, I have kids, they clean :)

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  3. I've never cooked eggs in the microwave. I'll have to give it a try some day. I do boil eggs on Sunday nights, and they are often breakfast.

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  4. Of course you boil eggs Sunday Andrea, you're my organized blogging hero.

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  5. I used to make scrambled eggs in the microwave... not sure why though because it takes just as long to scramble them in a pan on the stove.
    Like the idea of poaching the egg in the microwave though. Easy, quick and minimal clean up.

    I still use the microwave for cooking -- like with the 2 minute cake I posted a few days ago. To use or not to use the microwave is a debate I haven't chosen to research yet.

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  6. I like a soft-boiled egg over buttered toast, but have never cooked any eggs in the microwave. I've tried the popcorn in a bag thing four times now and every time I scorch it and throw it outside into the snow. #popcornfail

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  7. I use my microwave like you, and, yes, I have scrambled an egg before in it, although I usually use a pan. I will try the poached egg in microwave for sure-love me some runny yolks too! I think you will like this idea, although I made it for dinner, not b-fast...Make polenta and throw in a little Parmesan for good measure. Roast some garlic and spread on to of polenta. Poach an egg and serve on top. Divine! I will try and send some streusel topping your way :1)

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  8. I love poaching eggs in the microwave—less cleanup! Unless of course, it explodes...That's only happened to me once or twice though.

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  9. I can't do eggs in the microwave...something about the smell just doesn't work for me! Instead I do a protein shake. So easy and the clean up is simple.

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  10. Wow, all sorts of opinions on micro-eggs. EA- polenta is one of my favorite foods. Caron- are you using oil in the bag?

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    1. This last time I did for certain. I know I've read that oil isn't really necessary, so my first attempts were without.

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  11. I scramble eggs in the microwave sometimes. I just mix them with a spoonful of salsa and some frozen veggies, and then microwave them for a couple of minutes. No clean-up!

    I also cook oatmeal in the microwave. Sometimes I'll add an egg to my oatmeal before cooking, and then it tastes like french toast in a bowl.

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  12. it really is the clean up that gets people, french toast in a bowl- have to try that.

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  13. ooh I like this idea! I'm definitely going to try it. show pictures for inspiration!!! I'll let you know how my attempt goes.

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  14. my pictures stink plus I was distracted this weekend
    want to hear the "judy" tweaks you find love the inventiveness.

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  15. I enjoy the process of scrambling or making an omelet on the stove, but I did try cooking eggs in a microwave back in college ("Hungry Girl" is a huge fan of this technique, calls them mug-eggs or something.) It was easy enough to either scramble in the microwave; they tasted fine and it was quick. Never tried "poaching" in the microwave although I might try that now! I actually have learned to poach eggs in boiling water on the stove, but it takes a bit more time and patience than I usually want to give breakfast. I might try your egg-poaching trick here. Thanks!

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  16. In high school I used to microwave eggs ALL the time. Since I've grown up a bit, I just can't stand the rubbery taste that evolves from the micro with my eggs. I don't mind a little extra clean up in the morning...if I want something like eggs, I get up a littler earlier! But then again, I have no job right now...lol

    ps. thanks again for the pregnancy advice ;) Feeling much more normal now that I'm a day away from being 14 weeks.

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  17. interesting but eggs are so fast to make anyways :)

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  18. What a great idea! I have to admit that I've microwaved eggs but I've never poached them in the microwave. When I'm feeling especially productive, I'll make a batch of breakfast burritos and store them in the freezer. Then in the morning, I just unwrap them and heat them in the microwave.

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  19. Love a good breakfast burrito Sonali, such a good idea. Actually, storing any sort of burritos would be a great item to reheat.

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  20. Thanks for the tip!
    I may have to try this! I have microwaved eggs once and didn't like the consistency. I am sure making them poached would be great.
    Most often, I use my microwave for reheating leftovers. :)

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  21. I know of a fast food chain that makes eggs in microwaves. But I never make my eggs that way. It may be quick, but I'd rather have them the old fashioned way. They taste better to, and you have more flexibility when it comes to adding vegetables or other seasoning. But, it can be convenient if you are short on time!

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  22. ew, now that you compare the method with fast food I don't want it. Although fast food wouldn't poach so I still have that.

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  23. i don't mind egg clean up from the stove - plus whenever i microwave something always ends up exploding and that takes forever to clean! This week I stopped using oil to cook eggs and switched to real butter - only a little bit - but what a difference in taste - delicious!

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  24. I have been micro-poaching an egg a day since reading this. I love an egg. It's like a condiment to me.

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  25. I do make a lot of egg whites in the micro, but I usually fry an egg in a little bit of evoo. I'm going to have to try this poaching method because everytime I've tried to put a whole egg in there on the lowest power it has exploded everywhere lol I'm a fan of the runny yoke too.

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