Cook ‘tastier’ fried eggs by swapping olive oil for one simple ingredient

Cook and founder of Fat Girl Hedonist, Cari Garcia, has shared a simple method to make sure fried eggs come out the pan keyboard – and you only need to add one ingredient

Fried eggs make the perfect breakfast whether you pop them in a roll or enjoy them as part of a proper fry-up, but getting them just right without burning can be quite the challenge.

When you chuck eggs into a scorching pan, the whites have a habit of setting rapidly, leaving you with a blackened bottom while the yolk remains runny and unappetizing.

But Cari Garcia, a chef and creator of Fat Girl Hedonisthas revealed there’s an incredibly straightforward trick to ensure your fried eggs emerge from the pan absolutely delicious – you simply need to add a tablespoon of water during cooking.

She explained: “The secret ingredient to perfect fried eggs is adding a tablespoon of water to the pan once your whites have cooked about 80 percent through. Once you’ve added the water, you’ll want to immediately cover your pan and allow the steam to finish cooking the egg whites.”

It may sound rather odd, but introducing a splash of water to a hot pan generates plenty of steam, which helps the top portion cook through without needing to flip it over.

This technique, commonly called steam frying, reduces the pan’s overall temperature while introducing moisture, ensuring the egg whites and yolk cook simultaneously, reports the Express.

Steam frying prevents the whites from charring before the yolk firms up, while the extra moisture keeps the egg tender rather than chewy. You’ll still achieve an egg that’s beautifully crispy underneath and delicate on top, giving you the ideal fried egg with minimal fuss.

How to make a fried egg

Here’s what you’ll need (per serving):

• One or two eggs
• One tablespoon of water
• One tablespoon of vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper
• A frying pan (with a lid)

Method:

Start by placing a frying pan on a medium-low heat, and once it’s hot, add a tablespoon of oil. It’s generally better to use vegetable oil for frying food rather than olive oil or butter as it has a high smoke point, which means it can cook at a hotter temperature without burning.

Once the oil is sizzling, crack in the eggs. Allow them to cook for about a minute or two and when they’re almost ready, pour a tablespoon of water into the pan.

Immediately after adding the water, cover the pan with a lid. Keep it covered for roughly 30 seconds to two minutes depending on how well-done you prefer your fried egg.

When the egg is cooked to your liking, take it off the heat and season with salt and pepper. Your perfectly glossy yet crispy fried egg is now ready to be enjoyed.