Have you ever been to an older restaurant and seen a chef wearing one of those silly tall white hats? That is an original chef’s hat. There are pleats along the hat, representing how many ways a chef can cook an egg. Therefore, chefs that have 100 pleats in their hat know how to cook an egg 100 ways. There are 100 ways to cook an egg! How many do you know?

Here are 7 of the most common ways to cook an egg:

#1 Soft vs. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a great quick snack. They can be used for deviled eggs, egg salad, or by themself with a sprinkle of salt. The only issue with hard-boiling eggs is that they are easy to overcook.

Instructions: 

1. Fill the saucepan with cold water and place eggs gently in the bottom
2. Turn the heat on high and wait for the water to boil
3. Turn off the heat and cover the saucepan. Let the eggs sit for 10-12 minutes
4. Place the eggs in a bowl of iced water and let them sit for a few minutes
5. Peel and enjoy!

Soft-boiled eggs are perfect for toast or an extra on a salad. They are simple and quick.

Instructions:

1. Heat a medium saucepan to a simmer
2. Use a spoon to lower eggs into the water
3. Let them simmer for 6-7 minutes
4. Chill immediately in a bowl of ice water until cooled
5. Then peel and enjoy!

**Tip: use vinegar or a pinch of salt to keep the eggs from cracking and the egg whites from spilling out.

#2 Over Easy

Start your morning off right with a simple and delicious over-easy egg. Over-easy eggs are flipped to cook on both sides, unlike sunny-side-up eggs. Eggs easily get stuck to the pan so make sure you grab the right frying pan! 

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a frying pan
2. Crack egg in pan (season with salt)
3. Cook until egg whites are almost set (about 2 minutes)
4. Carefully flip the egg using a spatula (make sure the yolk is centered on the spatula)
5. Season with pepper and wait till egg whites are set (about 30 seconds more)

And Enjoy!

#3 Sunny Side Up

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Grab your pan and make a perfect gooey egg. Here is how to make a yummy sunny side up egg. 

Instructions:

1. Heat oil or butter on a medium saucepan on low heat
2. Crack an egg into the pan (*or add to a ramekin and then drop into pan)
3. Cover with a lid (wait for 2 to 2½ minutes)
4. Then slide the eggs out of the pan and serve!

And of course, ENJOY!

Best served with a piece of toast, on top of pizza, or over rice. 

#4 Poached

One of the best ways to eat an egg! Hot and delicious poached eggs. Their oozy golden yolk encased in firm whites. A perfect little egg package. However this egg takes practice and there are lots of different ways people make them. Here are a few tricks we have learned:

• Salt {inceases the water density and creates the white whispys – not the prettiest egg}
• Vinegar {helps to keep the egg whites together – add about one tablespoon}
• Swirling {swirl the water to create a swirling vortex and drop the egg to create the perfect shape – however don’t do it if your cooking multiple eggs at once}
• Use at least 4 inches of water
• Crack egg into ramekin {makes sure of no shells, harder to break the yolk, and easier to pour}

Instructions:

1. Boil a large pot of water
2. Reduce heat
3. Drop in the eggs (**use any methods/tricks)
4. Poach the egg for 3 to 4 minutes
5. Use a slotted spoon to gently remove the egg (use paper towel to remove excess water)
6. Season and serve

#5 Scrambled

Everyone loves some soft and cheesy scrambled eggs. Regardless of whether you like a bagel or some sourdough toast or even a tortilla, scrambled eggs are the way to go. Scrambled eggs can even be a vehicle themselves for vegetables, sausage, ham, and other meats. Besides the fact that they are delicious and versatile, they are incredibly convenient

Instructions:

1. Heat a medium saucepan to a simmer
2. Take however many eggs you would like and crack into a bowl
3. Proceed to add milk of your choice (optional)
4. Take a whisk and mix eggs until the yolk is combined
5. Pour some oil or butter into the hot pan
6. Pour the egg mixture into the pan
7. Continuously scrambling/mixing, until eggs start to cook
8. Scoop out onto plate and eat up! 

#6 Omelet

I know an omelet might sound intimidating and not something you want to cook in the morning but it is surprisingly convenient and easy to make. Once you learn the basics to an omelet, there is no one holding you back.

Instructions:

1. Whisk eggs, water (around 2 tbsp), salt and pepper in a bowl
2. Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray or oil
3. Pour egg mixture onto skillet
4. Heat over medium heat
5. When eggs are almost set on surface but still look moist, cover half of omelet with filling (optional)
6. Cook for a minute or two
7. Plate and ENJOY

#7 Baked

Some of us might not have heard of a baked egg. I know it sounds eccentric and difficult but it is more common than you may think. Many people used baked eggs in dishes such as shakshuka and casseroles. Here is how to bake an egg.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°
2. Spray a ramekin or muffin pan with cooking spray or oil
3. Crack an egg into each individual socket, being careful not to break yolk
4. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, or seasoning of you choice
5. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes

*runniness depends on bake time, for more runny eggs bake less