Frying an egg without a non-stick frying pan is possible with a few extra steps to prevent sticking. Here's how you can do it:
Choose the right pan: Opt for a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a stainless steel pan. Both these options can work well if properly prepped before cooking.
Preheat the pan: Place the chosen pan on the stove over medium heat. Allow it to heat up for a couple of minutes before adding any oil or butter.
Add oil or butter: Once the pan is hot, add a generous amount of cooking oil (like vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil) or butter to the pan. Swirl it around to coat the entire cooking surface.
Wait for the right temperature: Allow the oil or butter to heat up for a moment. The key here is to have the oil hot enough so that the egg sizzles when it touches the pan, but not so hot that it smokes or burns the egg.
Gently crack the egg: Carefully crack the egg and gently drop it into the pan. You can crack it into a small bowl first and then slide it into the pan to avoid any shell fragments.
Lower the heat: Reduce the heat to medium-low or low after adding the egg. Lower heat helps prevent the egg from cooking too quickly and sticking to the pan.
Use a spatula: As the egg cooks, you can use a spatula to gently nudge and lift the edges of the egg to prevent sticking.
Add a lid: If you want the top of the egg to cook slightly, you can cover the pan with a lid briefly to trap some heat and steam. This will help cook the top without flipping the egg.
Flip the egg (optional): If you prefer your egg over-easy or over-medium, you can carefully flip the egg using a spatula to cook the top briefly.
Remove from heat: Once the egg reaches your desired level of doneness, turn off the heat and remove the egg from the pan.
Remember that cooking eggs in a non-stick pan is generally easier and requires less oil. However, with proper preparation and technique, you can still fry an egg successfully in a regular pan. The key is to make sure the pan is well-oiled, heated properly, and the egg is gently handled throughout the cooking process.