24 Glorious Ways to Cook Eggs

You will never get bored of them

Photo: Aya Brackett

Whether it’s scrambled eggs for dinner, eggs with tomato sauce, or an herb frittata with a side of greens, eggs can be your go-to when you’re committed to cooking at home and don’t feel like making a big to-do of it. And because they’re so versatile, you will never get bored of them. The only real rule is not to overcook them or they will toughen.

For years, I made my favorite scrambled eggs lovingly and leisurely — in a method I learned from James Beard — taking 40 minutes to do so. Then I discovered I could get just about the same texture by cooking them quickly, stirring constantly, and removing them from the heat the second they threatened to overcook. For short versions of these recipes and more, read on.

1. Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce

1. Add 3–5 cups of seasoned tomato sauce to a skillet. Add a cup of water to the sauce and bring to a boil.
2. Crack as many eggs as you’re planning on eating, one at a time, into a small bowl or saucer and slide them into the sauce. Adjust the heat so the sauce bubbles gently.
3. Cover and cook just until the whites are set and the yolks are as firm as you like them, 3–5 minutes for runny and a bit longer for firmer eggs.