Made an in-depth post sharing a method I recently learned to make a bunch of egg pucks (showed one) in a hot water bath. I decided to take your advice and “just microwave it” alongside my regular prep, and to share the results with you.
I hope to demonstrate the subtle differences in these two methods. Microwaving is great! But water bath is just different. You can see the differences. The texture of the microwaved puck is more rubbery compared to the creamy texture of the water bath. It also has more air holes which contributes to the difference in texture. It’s also not as consistent. The bottom of the egg is mostly uncooked while the top is almost toasted. And then there’s the obvious shape. It’s not obvious but the microwaved puck actually shrunk like a sponge in the ramekin and wasn’t in contact with the walls by the end of the cook.
Both are fine methods and I do both regularly. If I have time or if I’m cooking for multiple people, especially people I care about, I’m inclined to take the extra time (which is completely passive by the way. I made coffee and started prepping side dishes for Memorial Day bbq while it cooked).
Anyway, happy Memorial Day. Hope you’re all eating well.
by onions_and_carrots
15 Comments
Hmmm now I want to see this against the silicone ring mold in a pan too! So far bath is winning.
yes, that one prepared in the microwave looks better. also, i must say those sandwiches look too good
Nice work. I would subscribe to your YouTube channel
I’ve never tried a hot water bath for eggs! Love the idea, thanks for sharing
Thanks for this follow up info. Very interesting. Did you use crisco and a parchment round in the microwave ramekin? I think you referred to that in your last post.
The only way our 18mo old eats eggs. Crack an egg in a ramekin and add 1tsp or so water, fork until combined; microwave for 20-30 secs; add finely shredded cheese and fork whisk again; microwave 20-30 secs until it “soufflés”; invert on a plate and cut into wedges and let cool a bit. To him it’s 3 Michelin star cookery. It also makes for a lazy breakfast sandwich (sans cutting) for me when it’s 6am and I need to eat something too – after making his of course.
My dad showed me the egg in the microwave trick decades ago. It really works surprisingly well. I always sprayed the bowl with a little cooking spray first to avoid sticking.
I bet these would come out fantastic if you steamed them instead of baked in a water bath. Probably not enough difference for the added time/effort though.
Team hot water bath
Love this subreddit. Quality questions are being answered here.
Was gonna say, microwave is wayyyy easier. You can add a splash of water and it makes it even more fluffy
I *rarely* see a case where microwaving something is the better option (unless the subject is convenience).
That said, the top comment from that previous post suggests using ring molds and to try pan frying them.
Would that have a similar result if cooked to a similar length of time like over-easy eggs?
Microwaving is just faster and easier, definitely not better.
You can make microwaving somewhat better by including a second ramekin or other container with a bit of water in it. Just about anything in the microwave is better with a little water. Bonus tip: reheat pasta in a bowl, sprinkle the pasta with some water and cover the bowl with a wet paper towel.
No idea how this sub came across my feed, but I’ll always upvote a good example of science, lol.
[Jose Andres microwave egg](https://www.mashed.com/401866/jose-andres-easy-microwave-egg-hack-guarantees-creamy-results/)
Basically one egg and whisk with heaping spoon of mayo. Microwave about 30 seconds. I tried it and it was surprisingly good – creamy and soft.