01 -
Crack the egg into a small fine-mesh sieve placed over a small bowl or teacup. Gently swirl the sieve to drain away the thinner parts of the egg white. Discard the liquid, then transfer the egg to a small bowl.
02 -
Bring a small pot of water to a gentle simmer with at least 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Avoid adding salt. Ensure the water is gently simmering, with small bubbles on the surface, but not boiling rapidly.
03 -
Carefully transfer the drained egg from the bowl into the barely simmering water. Cook for around 4 minutes for a moderately runny yolk or 3 to 3 1/2 minutes for a very runny yolk.
04 -
Use a slotted spoon to lift the poached egg from the water. Briefly place it on a paper towel to absorb excess water, then serve immediately.