| How to Make Sunny Side up Eggs Posted: 10 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT Sunny side up eggs are fried on only one side, with the yolks intact, golden, and runny. They're a delicious breakfast food that pairs great with a piece of bread for dipping in the yolk! You can easily make sunny side up eggs at home in a frying pan or by cooking them in the oven. EditIngredients EditFrying Eggs in a Pan - 1 tablespoon (14.2 g) of butter
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
EditCooking Eggs in the Oven - 1 teaspoon (13.7 g) of olive oil
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
EditFrying Eggs in a Pan - Heat 1 tbsp (14.2 g) of butter on low in a cast iron or non-stick skillet. Choose a skillet large enough to fit 2 cracked eggs so that they won't touch in the pan. Place the skillet on the burner with the butter in the pan, and turn on the burner to heat the butter.[1]
- If your pan isn't non-stick, such as a carbon steel pan, you may need to spray it lightly with a non-stick spray before adding the butter.
- Tilt the pan to distribute the melted butter over the bottom. The butter helps to fry the bottom of the eggs quickly and maintain their shape. Make sure the butter is covering almost as much of the surface of the bottom of the pan as possible.[2]
- If you don't have butter, you can use lard, olive oil, or bacon fat to make your eggs, because each will spread to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Break 1 egg gently into the pan, keeping the yolk intact. Once the butter is simmering, hold the egg about over the frying pan as you break it, and let it gently drop into the bottom of the hot pan. The egg whites will begin to cook immediately.[3]
- If you have trouble cracking eggs, crack each one into a bowl, check for shell fragments, and then carefully pour the egg into the pan.
- Crack another egg into the pan so that the whites don't touch. Repeat the process for cracking the egg into the pan. If the whites begin to touch, place one of the flat edges of your spatula in between them to keep them separated.[4]
- Alternatively, you can let the whites touch and separate them after they're cooked by slicing through the whites with a spatula or knife.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes. Covering the pan can accelerate the cooking process and make sure the whites are firm while the yolk remains runny. After 2 minutes, open the lid and check the whites to make sure they're cooked on the top. If not, recover the pan, and let them cook for another 30-60 seconds.
- You can check the doneness of the egg by shaking the pan gently to see if the yolk jiggles while the whites stay firm.
- Transfer the eggs to a plate and season with salt and pepper. Carefully hold the pan at a 45-degree angle next to the plate, and watch as they slide off of the pan. For more control, slide a spatula under each egg, and lift it onto the plate. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste and enjoy![5]
- You can serve sunny side up eggs with grits, over a piece of toast, or as part of a big breakfast with meat, potatoes, and fruit.
EditCooking Eggs in the Oven - Preheat an oven to . Use the control panel on your oven to set the heat to the correct level, and begin preparing the food while the oven heats up. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven.[6]
- Heat an oven-proof skillet lined with 1 tsp (13.7 g) of olive oil over medium heat. Check the bottom of your skillet for a label that says "oven safe." If it is, pour 1 teaspoon (13.7 g) of olive oil into the pan, and tilt the pan to cover the bottom with oil. Then, leave the pan on the burner until the oil begins to simmer.[7]
- In general, most cast iron skillets are oven safe, but many non-stick and carbon steel skillets are not.
- Crack 2 eggs into the skillet so that the whites aren't touching. Carefully break the eggs into the skillet on separate sides of the pan. If the whites touch, hold the flat edge of your spatula in between them to keep them apart until you put the pan in the oven. After both eggs are in the pan, remove it from the heat.[8]
- Try to crack the eggs into the pan as quickly as possible while keeping the yolks intact.
- Transfer the skillet into the oven and bake the eggs for 4 minutes. Lift the pan from the burner and gently slide it onto the center rack of the oven. Leave the pan in the oven until the whites are set, which you can check by gently shaking the pan. If the yolk jiggles and the whites stay in place, the eggs are ready![9]
- With some ovens, this can take 3 and a half minutes, so keep the light on in your oven and watch the whites of each egg to see when they are fully cooked. If the yolk begins to turn white at any point, remove the eggs from the oven immediately to prevent them from cooking further.
- Remove the eggs from the oven and slide them onto a plate to season them. Use an oven mitt to pull the pan out of the oven, and tilt it at a 45-degree angle to slide the eggs off of the pan and onto a plate. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste and enjoy![10]
- It's best to serve the eggs immediately to keep them from getting cold.
- If you have trouble keeping the yolk centered, try separating the egg whites from the yolk. Then, put the whites into the pan and add the yolk to the center of the whites.
- Eating undercooked eggs can result in food poisoning. Be sure to cook your eggs thoroughly to lessen the risk of food poisoning.
EditThings You'll Need - Cast iron, non-stick, or carbon steel pan
- Spatula
- Butter or olive oil
- Eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Serving plates
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences EditQuick Summary
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| How to Be a Supportive Sibling Posted: 10 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Sibling relationships can be very meaningful and intimate, but it is common for people to drift apart as they grow older and build their own families and other relationships. Distance can also make it harder to maintain supportive sibling relationships, but you can still maintain them with some effort. Even if you are not super close to your sibling, they will often end up being lifelong and important. As a person with siblings, you may wonder how you can support and care for your sibling. You can be supportive by communicating effectively with them and by being there for them during difficult times. You can also try to get along well with your sibling so you can both enjoy each other's company and support each other. EditBeing There For Your Sibling in Difficult Times - Contact them on a regular basis. If your sibling is going through a difficult time, such as a break up, the loss of a friend, or the loss of their job, stay in touch with them on a regular basis. Call them or text them daily with a friendly, "How are you?" or "How's it going?" Send them funny videos or images to cheer them up, especially if you know they are not feeling great.[1]
- Staying in contact with your sibling will let them know that you care about them and that you are there for them. Even a quick message once a day can make them feel supported and less alone.
- Have weekly lunch or dinner plans. To be there for your sibling, set up weekly plans where you get together face to face and catch up. Try to schedule regular weekly lunches or dinners with your sibling and commit to them. Having quality one on one time with your sibling can make your bond stronger and make them feel you are supporting them.
- You may have your sibling over for dinner at your home or switch between their home and your home. You can also suggest meeting for lunch at a place you both like so the environment feels comforting.
- Offer to help them with chores or other commitments. If your sibling appears overwhelmed due to stress or anxiety, give them a helping hand. Help them do chores they do not have the time or energy to do. Offer to help them complete tasks and commitments so they have time for themselves to relax and unwind.
- For example, if your sibling is not able to prepare their own meals due to an illness, bring them take out or prepare home cooked meals for them.
- Suggest they speak to a professional. If your sibling is struggling with their mental and physical health, you may suggest that they speak to a counselor or a therapist. Part of supporting your sibling is being honest with them and letting them know you are worried or concerned about them. They may need help beyond what you can provide as a sibling and a professional therapist or counselor may be the right answer.[2]
- You may contact a mental health clinic nearby to see if there is a counselor your sibling could speak to. If your sibling lives on campus or goes to school, you can suggest that they speak to a school counselor.
EditCommunicating Effectively with Your Sibling - Share your feelings with your sibling. A big part of being supportive of your sibling is making sure you are honest and share your feelings with them. Don't be shy about sharing how you are feeling. Tell your sibling when you are feeling emotional and be honest with them. Use "I" statements when you express your feelings.[3]
- For example, you may tell your sibling, "I am feeling down today" or "I want to support you right now, even though I've had a long day."
- Be a good listener. Support your sibling by being a good listener, so they feel they can confide in you. Maintain eye contact with your sibling and nod as they speak to show them you are listening. Avoid interrupting them and wait until they are done speaking to ask them thoughtful questions.[4]
- Try to practice active listening, where you listen to your sibling speak without interruption. Then, once they are done, respond by repeating back what they said to you. You may say, "What I'm hearing you say is…" or "What I think you meant is…". Once they have confirmed you heard them correctly, you can respond to them.
- Doing active listening will ensure you are both communicating effectively with one another and listening to each other closely.
- Offer guidance and advice. If your sibling confides a problem or issue to you, try to offer guidance and advice. Listen to what they have to say first and then ask them thoughtful questions. Wait for your sibling to ask for your opinion or for advice before you give it.
- Make suggestions, offer advice, but do not pressure your sibling to take your advice. Ultimately, they are their own person and should make their decisions on their own.
- For example, you may offer advice to your sibling by saying, "In my opinion…" or "My advice is to…".
EditGetting Along with Your Sibling - Avoid conflicts and arguments with your sibling. Sibling rivalry is common and this can often lead to fighting and arguing. Support your sibling by trying to get along with them. Avoid petty arguments and fights. Use your communication skills to mediate any issues you might have with your sibling.[5]
- Take a time out if you get upset. Step away from the conversation and take a five-minute time out where you go off on your own to calm down and think. Then, return and start the conversation again with your sibling in a more relaxed manner.
- Support your sibling if they have a conflict with your family. Sometimes siblings can be divided when one sibling sides with one parent or with other relatives. Try to support your sibling when they are in a conflict with a family member, even if you may not agree with their choice. Listen to their concerns and remind them that you love and care for them, despite the conflicts in the family.
- For example, you may say to your sibling, "I don't agree with you siding with mom on this issue. But I want you to know that I love and care for you. I will support you."
- Try a new hobby or activity together. Support your sibling by doing a new hobby or activity together. This way you can both bond and feel acknowledged. Having a hobby or activity in common can help you and your sibling bond. It will also allow you to both support each other and recognize each other's accomplishments.[6]
- Take a fitness class, a craft class, or a cooking class together. Try a new hobby like knitting, painting, or tackle a new video game.
- Spend quality time with your sibling. Make sure you devote a portion of your schedule to spending quality time with your sibling. Have a meaningful conversation over lunch. Spend time doing a fun activity together, like preparing a meal, listening to music, or going for a walk.[7] Having regular quality time with your sibling will take time and effort, but this will help to maintain your relationship.
- If you and your sibling both have your own families, then plan family outings together and make time for family get-togethers.
- Stay in contact with your nieces and nephews. If you have nieces and nephews, then be a good uncle/aunt by keeping regular contact with them.
- You can also involve your other family members and spend time together as a family. Doing this can make you all feel supported and loved. Your sibling may also feel they can lean on their other family members, as well as you.
- Plan a trip to visit your sibling once per year if they live far away.
EditReferences
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| How to Grow an Edible Pond Posted: 10 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT What's better than having a water feature in your backyard? Having a water feature that you can eat! There are many varieties of edible plants that you can grow in a simple water garden. With some preparation and the right background knowledge, you can have a pond, and eat it too. EditPreparing Your Pond - Select a water-safe container to create a small pond. Metal washtubs, preformed pond liners, and sealed ceramic pots are all great choices for your pond. A container that is in diameter and deep will give you enough room for 4-5 plants, which is a great size for a beginner garden.[1]
- Containers made of wood, like a barrel, can be used only if you line the inside with a pond liner.
- Plants do better in containers with dark interiors that do not reflect light away from the pond.
- The container does not have to be visible. You can bury it in the ground or surround it with rocks or decking.
- If you plan to bring your container indoors permanently, or just for the winter, make sure you select a container that you'll be able to transport easily.
- Build an outdoor pond if you want a larger water feature. Larger ponds are possible if you have the yard space to dig a large hole that is at least deep and wide. Building it to this size will help ensure the health of the pond water. Line it with a pond liner that is at least larger than the pond itself.
- Larger, in-ground ponds are complex ecosystems that can be difficult to balance and manage if you are new to pond management.[2]
- Choose a location that gets 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. The plants in your pond need sunlight in order to thrive, so choose a bright spot. You also need a spot where the plants have protection from the scorching effects of the afternoon sun.[3]
- Afternoon sun is the most intense, so consider placement of your plants to maximize morning sun and provide a couple hours of late-day shade.
- Any size container of standing water can be a drowning hazard for young children, so keep this in mind when you are scoping out a spot for your water garden.
- Keep the pond away from trees that drop their leaves or flowers in large amounts. These can clog up the pond.
- Line the bottom of your pond with rinsed gravel. Gravel will provide a natural biofilter and substrate for your pond and will give you something to nest your potted plants into. It's important to rinse your gravel before you use it to make sure it is free from dust and other debris that can cloud your pond water.[4]
- of gravel is all you need.
- Fill your pond with clean water. You're going to eat the plants that grow in the pond water so make sure you are starting with water that is as free from harmful bacteria, heavy metals and, toxins as possible. High-quality tap water is usually the best option.[5]
- Distilled water is not a good option because it contains none of the minerals that are found in natural water sources.
- Rain water collected in a rain barrel can also be used, as your garden will be watered naturally by the rain anyway.
EditPlanting Your Edible Pond - Pot your plants in water-permeable containers. All plants need to be potted, even if they are capable of rooting out along their stems (like watercress). Use plastic pots that have plenty of holes for the water to go in and out of the root system. Line your pot with newspaper, then put in a scoop of organic garden soil. Once your pot is filled about halfway, place the plant's roots gently on top of the soil and then fill in the area around them with soil until the base of the plant is securely buried.[6]
- If you purchased your plants from a garden center they may already be in plastic, permeable containers. If this is the case, you can move on to the next step.
- You can find plastic planters and organic gardening soil at most garden centers.
- Spread a thin layer of gravel on top of the soil to keep the water clear. The gravel will help weigh the plant down and stabilize it. It will also help keep your water from getting muddy by creating a barrier between the pond water and the plant's soil.[7]
- Larger rocks can be used as needed to keep plants submerged.
- Submerge potted plants to create your water garden. Deep water plants, like the cattail, can sit on the bottom of most ponds as long as they are set less than deep. Submerged and emergent varieties generally do well with of water above the tops of the pots. Surface-cover and bog plants generally enjoy being only from the surface. You can set your plants down in their pots, right into your pond.[8]
- Use flat rocks or bricks to raise plants up if the pond is too deep for your plants to sit at the right level.
- Floating planters can help keep emergent and bog plants perfectly positioned. They also can help turn any pond plant into helpful surface coverage.[9]
- Design a visually-appealing garden. A pond garden is something you can eat, but it can also be a charming addition to a garden, deck, patio, or sunroom. For a striking display, place the tallest plants, like cattails, in the center of the pond with lower-lying, surface-cover plants around the outside.
- An alternative arrangement is to place taller plants along the back of the pond with shorter plants along the front edge. This layout works well if your pond backs up to a fence, wall, or patio edge.
EditGetting Your Plants - Buy a mix of plants from a reputable pond supplier in person or online. It's important to make sure you are getting what you want and need when you buy your pond plants. Read reviews about stores and their products before choosing where to make your purchases.[10]
- A reliable seller should be able to provide you with useful and accurate information about the best ways to care for your plants and how to prepare and eat them.
- Purchase deep-water plants to help oxygenate your pond. It's important to include at least one variety that is a submerged or emergent species. This means it will sit happily at or very near the bottom of your pond where they will help draw oxygen from the air into the bottom of the pond, improving the quality of your water.[11]
- The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an excellent plant for oxygenation and you can eat the petals of its beautiful flowers, roots, and leaves. These can sit at the bottom of your pond, as long as the leaves are above water.[12]
- Chinese water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) will grow about to leaves in summer and die back to a corm in winter. These can sit below the surface of the water, submerged by about . You can eat the buried corms of the plant raw or in a stir-fry.[13]
- Cattails (Typha latifolia) are a quintessential water garden feature that you can also eat. Their young stems can be eaten raw or boiled (it is said that they taste like corn). The flowers themselves can be roasted and the leaves can be added to salads.[14] Cattails will grow in a pot set at the bottom of a pond and can thrive in depths up to .[15]
- Choose plants to provide 60-70% surface coverage for temperature control. These plants require pots for their roots but will grow plenty of floating, leafy foliage to provide coverage from the sun. It's important to select one of these plants because they help prevent an overgrowth of algae and keep the water temperature cooler.[16]
- Common Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a good choice for surface coverage. This grows quickly and is easy to care for. It can be added to salad, soup, sandwiches, and used as a garnish.[17]
- Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows to about in height. Like other varieties of mint, it is easy to grow and will spread out to help provide cover for your pond. Use as any herbal mint, in teas or salads.[18]
- For shadier spots, plant Water Hawthorne (Aponogeton distachyos), a plant that will sit at the bottom of a pond, but which spreads its leaves and edible flowers across the surface. The flowers reportedly taste similar to red leaf lettuce and can be used in salads or as decorative (and edible) garnish. This is a plant that does well in gardens with ample afternoon shade.[19]
- Buy a selection of bog-loving plants for variety. There are some great edible plants that will grow happily in your pond under bog conditions, which means they love water-logged soil but don't want to sit more than under the water. These plants will prefer to sit just at or slightly below the water's surface. Some good options include:[20]
 - Brookweed (Samolus valerandi), also sometimes called chickweed, thrives in wet, boggy soil and shallow water. You can eat the leaves raw or cooked.[21]
- KangKong (Ipomoea aquatica) is also known as water spinach.[22] It is a perennial that grows best in the warm weather. It's a popular and common ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Add the leaves and steams to salad or stir-fries.[23]
- Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a staple food source in countries throughout the world, including native Hawaiian cuisine, where it's used to make poi. People generally eat the corms, or tuberous roots, of this water plant but the leaves and stalks are also edible. It enjoys growing beneath the water's surface, with about of water covering the top of the pot.[24]
- Silk Stockings, or Sagittaria australis will grow happily in shallow water at a depth of about . The tuberous roots of the plant are edible and can be treated like other root vegetables. Ducks are fond of them too, which gives them their nickname of Duck potatoes.[25]
EditMaintaining a Healthy Water Garden - Fertilize your plants every 3-6 months. Use a water plant fertilizer or any solid pellet or tablet fertilizer that is safe to use around vegetables. Just remove your plant from the pond, scrape back the layer of gravel on top, and bury the fertilizer in the pot of your plant. Return the gravel layer and place your plant back into the pond.[26]
- Look for organic fertilizers to avoid introducing industrial chemicals into your edible garden.
- Install a fountain to aerate your pond. Find a small pond pump or fountain at a local garden center or online and place it in your pond. A basic fountain assembly consists of a simple pump that sits on or near the bottom of the pond and contains tubing that can extend up to the surface. When connected to a power source, the pump helps circulate the water, mixing it with air.[27]
- Mosquitoes lay eggs and grow larvae in standing water and algae grows, depriving your pond of oxygen. A basic pond pump or fountain makes your pond less attractive to mosquitos and keeps the water oxygenated.
- Solar-powered fountains can be a great and simple way to add movement to your water garden without having to worry about plugging it into an electrical outlet.
- Adding a running water element can enhance the look and sound of your garden.
- Add helpful bacteria to control mosquitos once a month. The addition of a bacteria called "Bacillus thuringiensis," subspecies "israelensis," or Bti, to your pond water will keep mosquito larva from maturing into biting adults. This bacteria produces a larvicide that occurs naturally in the soil, but when applied to standing water will break the mosquito's lifecycle.[28]
- This bacteria and the toxin it produces are considered harmless for wildlife and humans and can be purchased in commercial forms from local garden centers or online.
- The standard commercial product available in most garden centers will treat up to of surface area for 30 days.
- When selecting plants, choose at least 1 variety that will sit at the bottom (submerged or emergent) and 1 that will provide surface coverage. From there, fill in the rest of your pond with varieties from any category that appeal to your palate.
EditThings You'll Need - Pond container (plastic or metal tub or ceramic pot)
- Edible pond plants like watercress and lotus
- Garden soil
- Plastic, water-permeable containers for potting your plants
- Flat rocks to adjust plant height
- Pebble-sized gravel
- Organic pellet or tablet plant fertilizer
- Bti for mosquito control
- Clean water
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
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