With an impressive amount of protein and a wide variety of uses, the egg has become a staple of many a breakfast dish. In fact, eggs have been a source of food for living creatures as far back as history is recorded. Looking for tips on preparing these timeless classics? Read on for five ways to make a perfect egg.

1. Hard-Boiling

It can be tricky to perfect a hard-boiled egg. Luckily, there are many simple tips and tricks for getting it just right.

1. Use older eggs to ensure they separate easily from the shell once cooked.
2. You want to use a fast, roiling boil (so hot that bubbles are rising rapidly and you can hear the sound of the water boiling), not just a simmer.
3. Place the eggs in an ice bath until cooled. This will ensure they don't have that unseemly gray skin around the yolk.

2. Scrambling

A good scrambled egg can be a great start to the day. In order to make a perfect scramble, try these techniques:

1. Heat a generous amount of butter in your pan to add a great flavor.
2. Crack the eggs directly into the skillet, as opposed to whisking them ahead of time.
3. Use a rubber spatula to break the yolks, and slowly fold the eggs as they heat.
4. Try adding a drop of creme fraiche or Greek yogurt to lighten them up and add a slight tang!

3. Poaching

Whether on its own or over an English muffin, a poached egg is a delightful and delectable breakfast treat, with a touch of class. Try this poach approach!

1. Use fresh eggs for a perfectly tight poach -- older eggs tend to separate much more easily.
2. Add a generous amount of white or rice vinegar to your pot of water to help the egg come together quickly.
3. Don't bring the water to a full boil, as it will break the fragile egg apart! Instead, aim for a rapid simmer.
4. Crack your egg ahead of time into a small bowl or ramekin, then gently shift it into the water from there to avoid a long, hard fall into the pot.
5. Stir the simmering water until it has a moving whirlpool in the middle, then gently ease your egg into the "eye of the storm" to help it form correctly.

4. Over-Easy

A good over-easy egg can be the perfect companion to a crunchy piece of toast. Get it just right with these tips:

1. Like poaching, you don't want to break the eggs directly into your hot pan. Instead, carefully crack them into a small bowl and ease them onto the hot pan to avoid breaking the yolk.
2. There is no need to flip an over-easy egg. A best practice is to simply cover the pan with a lid so the heat moves over the top of the yolk. More seasoned cooks can try to move the hot butter or oil over the yolk instead.
3. Speaking of butter or oil -- be generous! Trying to lift a perfectly cooked egg off a pan that hasn't been greased enough is a recipe for disaster.

5. Omelet

There's nothing like an omelet to get you going, especially one stuffed full of heart-healthy veggies. Here are some tricks for a perfect breakfast omelet:

1. An omelet is one egg recipe that calls for whisking the eggs ahead of time. Beat your eggs with a little bit of milk for the perfect amount of fluffiness.
2. Because the egg needs to cook enough to be folded over, make sure you generously grease your pan (or even use a nonstick pan) to avoid a breakfast catastrophe!
3. While it can be tempting to include a multitude of fillings, try not to over-stuff the omelet. This can make the omelet difficult to fold over and lift from the pan.

Whether you like a soft, runny egg or a light, bright scramble for breakfast, cooking the perfect egg doesn't have to be hard! Use these tips for a great start to your day.