How to boil eggs

Want to know how to boil eggs? Boiling eggs is a straightforward process, but achieving the desired consistency (soft, medium, or hard) requires attention to timing. Here's how to boil eggs:

Equipment

• Pot (with a lid)
• Stove
• Bowl (for ice water, if desired)
• Slotted spoon

Ingredients

• Fresh eggs
• Water
• Salt (optional, to make peeling easier)
• Ice (if using ice water)

Instructions

Preparation

• Place the eggs in a single layer at the bottom of the pot.
• Fill the pot with cold water, ensuring the water level is about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) above the eggs.
• Optionally, add a pinch of salt to the water. Some believe this makes the eggs easier to peel.

Bring to a Boil

• Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Boiling Process

• Once the water is boiling, you can follow one of these methods:

(a) Traditional Method

• Reduce the heat to low (or turn it off completely) and cover the pot with a lid.
• For soft-boiled eggs: Let them simmer for 4-5 minutes.
• For medium-boiled eggs: Let them simmer for 7-8 minutes.
• For hard-boiled eggs: Let them simmer for 9-12 minutes.

(b) Steaming Method (helpful for easier peeling):

• Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the eggs sit in the hot water.
• For soft-boiled eggs: Let them sit for 4-6 minutes.
• For medium-boiled eggs: Let them sit for 8-10 minutes.
• For hard-boiled eggs: Let them sit for 12-15 minutes.

Cooling

• After boiling, promptly remove the eggs with a slotted spoon to prevent further cooking.
• To cool, place them in a bowl of ice water for at least 5 minutes. This also makes peeling easier. Or, you can run them under cold tap water for a few minutes.

Peeling

• Gently tap the egg on a hard surface to crack the shell.
• Start peeling at the larger end, working your way to the pointy end.
• Peeling under a bit of running water can help to remove any bits of shell that stick.

That's it! Now you know how to boil eggs and can enjoy your boiled eggs as desired – on their own, in salads, sandwiches, or other dishes. Remember, fresher eggs tend to be harder to peel once boiled, so if you know you'll be boiling eggs, it might be useful to buy your eggs a week in advance.