by Kat Apf

Created on: March 14, 2013

Many people experience whirlwind mornings and breakfast is on the fly, so they end up choosing unhealthy foods because they are quick.  But you can actually make a great breakfast in about five minutes and a poached egg in the microwave is the beginning of that healthy breakfast.

Protein is an essential part of a balanced breakfast.  Eggs are a good source of protein so they make a good choice to start the day with.

When poaching the egg, there is no need for butter or fats, as there is when you fry eggs so that definitely makes for a healthier egg.  Of course, you can add a small smidgen of butter or margarine after the egg is cooked and dash of salt but you don't need the fats to cook the egg so if you're watching your fat intake, the microwaved poached egg is a perfect choice. 

Done right, you don't have to worry about the egg exploding and making a mess in your microwave either.  You don't need special tools, either.  A ramekin, small Pyrex bowl or a glass mug is all you need to poach an egg in the microwave. If you don't own ramekins, it's good idea to invest in them as any working kitchen and cook will use them often, not just to poach eggs.

A poached eggs takes about a minute to cook in the microwave. But you don't cook it for a full minute non-stop.  Four 15 second intervals is all it takes to cook a lovely poached egg.

Fill the ramekin with hot water from the tap or from a water cooler with a hot water function works best.  The egg will start cooking when you drop it in the hot water.  Put the ramekin in the microwave and set it to high for 15 seconds.  When it stops, let it sit for a few seconds and repeat those 15 seconds again.  After the third interval of 15 seconds, using a slotted spoon, turn the egg over so the softer egg yolk is visible and do your last round of 15 seconds. 

And that's all there is to poaching an egg in the microwave.  Serve with two slices of toast, fruit and yogurt and you've got a good breakfast in less than five minutes.  You can prep by cutting fruit the night before to speed things up even further. There really is no reason to stop for an Egg McMuffin on the way to work or school.

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