How To Cook Perfect Scrambled Eggs, According to a Short Order Cook

Take it from someone who has mastered the art of the scramble.

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James Beard once famously stated, "There are few things as magnificent as scrambled eggs, pure and simple, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned." Their soft, fluffy texture and mild, buttery flavor make them an ideal anytime food.

Scrambled eggs can go from delightful to disappointing in the blink of an eye if you're not careful. So, when I wanted to nail down the best way to cook scrambled eggs, I turned to a short-order cook who knows them inside and out. 

Cleo Valerio is the Chef de Cuisine at Mildred's Temple Kitchen—a popular brunch spot in Toronto's Liberty Village known for its comfort food, culinary creativity, and cozy charm. Cleo has spent the last three years mastering the art of the scramble. She's got the chops to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about eggs. 

Read More: Ina Garten’s 5 Scrambled Egg Upgrades Will Change Your Life—They're SO Dreamy

How To Make the Best Scrambled Eggs, According to a Chef

Cleo's golden rule for perfect scrambled eggs? Low and slow. Her trick to making them smooth is "adding a tablespoon of clarified butter in the egg mixture and cooking [them over] very low heat in a non-stick pan with clarified butter."

The key is to stir constantly until the eggs reach your desired consistency—smooth and fluffy in Cleo's case. This low-heat method ensures that the eggs cook gently, preventing them from browning, which can add an unwanted bitterness. It also gives you more control, making it easier to cook the eggs to your desired consistency. As with life, patience is also a virtue in the kitchen. 

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Other Tips for Leveling Up Your Scrambled Eggs

While cooking over low heat is Cleo's top tip, she shared a few other nuggets of wisdom to upgrade your scramble, first emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients. "Simple meals require simple recipes but high-quality ingredients," she states confidently.

Fresh eggs, real butter, and a pinch of salt and pepper can make all the difference. Specifically, Cleo swears by clarified butter (you can find a method for making it here) which has a higher smoke point to help prevent foods from browning or burning as quickly.

The secret to extremely fluffy scrambled eggs is whisking them "hard," says Cleo, explaining that this introduces air into the eggs, giving them that light, airy texture many of us crave. And while low heat is her go-to for scrambled eggs at home, she relies on a faster method at work. She heats a pan until it's smoking hot, then turns off the heat, adds the eggs, and stirs them rapidly. The result is a quick, smooth, and fluffy scramble—perfect for those mornings when you're short on time.

Scrambled eggs are a simple, humble breakfast staple that can taste extraordinary. Small changes like mastering the low-and-slow method, whisking with all your might, or simply using the best ingredients you can afford, can make a big difference in helping you make perfectly fluffy and flavorful scrambled eggs every time.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.