Learn how to Make Khai Dao Fried Eggs

Eggs nearly at all times have a starring function in my meal rotation. Normally I’ll do a gentle scramble, or a low-heat fried egg on toast for breakfast. Most accepted egg recommendation says to prepare dinner it gently so the proteins do not turn out to be powerful, however at present I kicked “good” recommendation to the curb. I made a particular fried egg that cooks in blistering sizzling oil and relishes in crisp-cooked protein strands: khai dao. Khai dao is a crispy Thai fried egg and it deserves greater than toast to hold it.

In contrast to deep-fried eggs, Khai dao is shallow-fried, which makes an enormous distinction in texture and presentation. It doesn’t require tons of oil, however simply sufficient of a pool the place the white billows dramatically on prime and crisps to a deep golden brown on the underside. It’s a easy approach that leads to a trio of textures—crispy, chewy, and creamy—and it makes an important companion for practically any meal. 

Should you’ve had some publicity to Thai meals, you’ve most likely seen this brittle-edged, bubbly fried egg casually reclining on prime of pad kra prao, a minced pork dish tossed with Thai holy basil and chopped chilies. Should you search the web for khai dao, you’ll most likely see a slew of recipes for a fried egg salad known as yam khai dao (or yum kai dao) the place the fried egg is chopped and tossed with veggies in a candy, bitter, and savory dressing. 

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Learn how to make khai dao in a frying pan

The fantastic thing about this crunchy-creamy egg is that it solely takes a couple of minutes to make, and you may serve it on prime of something from silken tofu to cheeseburgers, and also you’ll at all times be glad you probably did.

Some pans swimsuit completely different types of eggs higher than others. I feel khai dao is perhaps 10% simpler to make in a wok than in a frying pan as a result of the wok’s bowl-shape ensures a small quantity of oil is at all times puddled on the backside. Should you’re utilizing a wok, then there isn’t any must mess with the pan whereas cooking. Should you’re utilizing a Western-style frying pan, you may mimic the wok’s depth with out dumping a cup of oil in there—simply tilt the pan.

1. Warmth the oil

Add two tablespoons of oil to a frying pan; a impartial oil, like canola or corn oil. I like to make use of a pan with taller sloped sides as a result of we’ll be cooking the egg in a tilted pan to copy the puddle in a wok. In case your pan solely has brief sides, that’s okay, simply don’t tilt very deeply. Warmth the pan over medium warmth for a couple of minutes. 

2. Put together the egg

I wish to crack my egg right into a small, broad bowl whereas the oil heats. I do that primarily so I don’t need to get my fingers too near the recent oil. If you drop within the egg, the oil goes to spit and snap so holding the far fringe of a large bowl offers you some clearance.

3. Fry the khai (egg)

After about three minutes, examine the oil. It ought to be shimmering. If you tilt the pan, it ought to shortly circulation to at least one aspect, not creep like chilly oil. The egg crisps and bubbles the very best when the oil is screaming sizzling.

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Tilt the pan so the oil gathers in a puddle on one aspect. Together with your different hand, rigorously slide the egg into the recent oil. The egg will start to bubble and sizzle instantly. Put down the egg bowl however hold the pan tilted. You gained’t be flipping this egg, however for those who like the highest to be cooked use a small steel spoon to baste the surplus sizzling oil excessive. After one or two splashes, you’ll see the yolk begin to cloud-over. 

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

After about two minutes, the white shall be cooked and have brown, lace-y edges. The yolk shall be medium-runny while you crack into it. That is often once I take mine out, however you may prepare dinner it longer to your choice. Take away the egg with a slotted steel spatula and place it on a paper-towel-lined plate. You may prepare dinner extra eggs within the remaining oil, or use the oil to start out prepping the bigger portion of the meal. 

Put this crackly egg on something savory, like beef stew, a slice of pizza, saag paneer, or lastly put the “croque” in a croque madame sandwich. Mama model prompt noodles are already good, however the one means to enhance them is with khai dao. So I made myself two.