Early Preparation

Prepare the Sodium Alginate Solution in advance

• Mix the water with the sodium alginate in the blender for a few minutes until homogeneous. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour to remove the bubbles. Remove from the fridge early enough so it will reach room temperature. The Alginate Solution can be prepared a few days in advance.

Egg Yolk Sauce

• In a small bowl mix all the dry ingredients, except the black salt and set aside.
• In a small saucepan melt the butter slowly over low heat.
• Add the dry ingredients except the black salt and mix well.
• Add water and milk gradually while stirring, increase to medium heat.
• Cook until simmering, or until it reaches the desired consistency. If the mixture is too thick, add more water gradually. Remove from heat.
• At this point if desired, add annatto oil gradually until the desired color is obtained. Please note that even without Annatto you will get a beautiful yellow color. Annatto oil gives the yolk a beautiful yellow-orange hue.
• Add the black salt and mix well.

Calcium Chloride Solution

• Pour water into a bowl - so you can work comfortably.
• Add the Calcium Chloride to the bowl and mix well until the calcium chloride dissolves.

Sodium Alginate Solution

• If you haven't done it earlier - take out the sodium alginate solution from the fridge at least an hour in advance - so that our precious yolks don't catch a cold :)

Spherification

Prepare In Advance

• Transfer the yolk sauce to a measuring cup - like OXO - it will be more convenient.
• Arrange side by side the Calcium Chloride Solution, the Sodium Alginate Solution and the rinsing bath.
• Keep at hand: measuring tablespoon, a standard tablespoon and a timer.
• Creating The Membrane: dip a measuring spoon in the Calcium Chloride Solution; Shake the spoon gently; pour into it yolk sauce - This will make it easier to shape a yolk; Immerse the spoon in the Calcium Chloride Solution gently, facing up - for about 30 seconds (this way the yolk doesn't fall out). Turn the spoon gently (when inside the solution) and release it from the yolk.
• After about 20 seconds, turn it carefully to make sure the yolk is evenly coated. Don't touch the yolk directly, but "make waves" around it - pushing the surrounding solution with a standard spoon - the yolk will turn over like a fetus in the womb (sorry for the image, I couldn't help it :)
• Leave the yolk in the Calcium Solution for another 10-40 seconds; It is not recommended to leave it in the solution for more than a total of one and a half minutes.
• It requires some practice - but don't worry - after several attempts, you too, will acquire the technique - I promise!
• Using a standard spoon carefully remove the yolk from the calcium chloride solution, Make sure to drain the rest of the calcium chloride solution from the spoon, so that only the yolk will remain in the spoon without any liquids, then transfer it to the Sodium Alginate solution. After about a minute turn the yolk carefully so that the yolk is evenly coated with the solution. Don't touch the yolk directly, but "make waves" around it - pushing the surrounding solution with a standard spoon until the yolk flips over.
• Leave the yolk in the Sodium Alginate Solution for a total of 1-3 minutes - no more.
• Please note: It is essential, at least initially to work with a timer. Otherwise, the yolk may thicken/harden too much. On the other hand, too little time will not be enough to create a sufficiently durable membrane.
• Gently transfer the yolk, using a standard spoon to the pre-prepared rinse bath, to wash away the excess solutions. Turn carefully to wash it off all sides. Keep the yolks in the water until use. It is not recommended to leave them in the water for more than an hour - they may lose their texture.

Egg White

• Mix the egg white ingredients in a blender and set aside.

Frying The Egg

• Heat a non-stick pan with some olive oil on a medium heat.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the egg white mixture and flatten gently with the back of a spoon.
• Frying takes longer than a normal egg - fry for about 2 minutes, until the egg white slides easily on the pan and fry for another 30 seconds.
• At this point you can flip the egg yolk if you want: slide it on to a large spatula, and flip it back to the pan. fry for another minute.
• Take the yolk we prepared earlier from the rinse bath and place it gently (with your hands) in the center of the egg white in the pan.
• To stick the yolk to the egg white - put a small teaspoon of the egg white mixture and "glue" it around about half the yolk - like half a ring.
• Fry for one minutes more and slide the fried egg to a serving plate.
• You can place the fried egg on burgers, toasted buns, shakshuka etc.
• Now you can finally eat it (you earned it!) and thank the God of Veganism for the wonder :)