TO POACH EGGS
Use a shallow frying pan partly filled with boiling water. The eggs
must be perfectly fresh. The white of an egg is held in a membrane
which seems to lose its tenacity after the egg is three days old. Such
an egg, when dropped into boiling water, spreads out; that is, it does
not retain its shape. When ready to poach eggs, take the required
number to the stove. The water must be boiling hot, but not actually
bubbling. Break an egg into a saucer, slide it quickly into the water,
and then another and another. Pull the pan to the side of the stove,
where the water cannot possibly boil. With a tablespoon, baste the
water over the yolks of the eggs, if they happen to be exposed. They
must be entirely covered with a thin veil of the white. Have ready the
desired quantity of toast on a heated platter, lift each egg with a
slice or skimmer, trim off the ragged edges and slide them at once on
the toast. Dust with salt and pepper, baste with melted butter, and
send to the table.