Silicone Egg Poacher Offers a New Way to Poach Eggs
In recent years, the silicone egg poacher has replaced the traditional stainless steel egg poacher in many kitchens. The more discerning chef notes that the use of steam, rather than water, in the poaching process produces a firmer, more flavorful poached egg.
The process of poaching eggs has been in place for centuries. The late 1800s brought about a level of sophistication and distinction to poaching eggs, with some of the top restaurants and chefs offering the poached egg dish as a delicacy. Eggs Benedict, named after the Wall Street broker who created it, became a popular American dish in the early 1900s, and today remains one of the most popular ways to serve poached eggs.
There are several variations for cooking poached eggs; most include dropping the raw egg into boiling water, usually with vinegar added to speed the cooking process. The use of egg rings or a stainless steel or Teflon insert has long been the traditional and standard method used for years. However, with the advent of silicone as a material for many kitchen tools, the silicone egg poacher was soon developed, and many consider it an improvement over the egg rings or egg poacher inserts.
Referred to as Poach Pods, the silicone egg poacher has caught on quickly, and those who prefer their eggs poached have discarded their Teflon and stainless steel in favor of silicone. The PoachPod is available in a wide variety of bright colors and shapes, adding fun and whimsy to any kitchen décor. The silicone egg poacher is easy to use, simply drop into a pan of simmering water, then add the eggs, and cover to cook. The silicone uses steam and heat to poach the eggs, and results in a firmer, less likely to run poached egg. Despite silicone’s non-stick claims, many cooks recommend that the PoachPod be greased for easier release of the egg.
Not all silicone is created equal, when looking for a silicone egg poacher, beware of those manufacturers who use fillers in their silicone products. For poached eggs, a lesser quality silicone affects stability and compromises heat distribution. Be willing to spend a little extra and purchase one of the better quality silicone egg poachers, such as the Trudeau single or dual egg poacher, or SilconeZone’s Two Piece Egg Poacher kit. An easy test to determine if the silicone contains fillers is to twist the silicone between your fingers. If a white spot emerges, the silicone is made with fillers. Pure silicone does not change color.
No matter how you fancy your poached eggs, as Eggs Benedict, or atop a bed of corned beef hash, the silicone PoachPod will enhance the quality and flavor of poached eggs. Its heat distribution properties result in uniform cooking, with a poached egg that is less likely to be running with uncooked egg white, or insufficiently cooked yolk. Readily available at any kitchenware or department store, and inexpensively priced, the silicone egg poacher is a kitchen tool every cook should have on hand.
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