Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and an essential food item. Cooking hard-boiled eggs can be tricky, and we’ve heard many kitchen disasters about overcooked, undercooked, shells that won’t peel off, and eggs that break in the pot.
But fret not, as we bring you a step-by-step guide on how to cook perfect hard-boiled eggs every time.
Step 1: Select Your Eggs
Choosing the right eggs is the first and foremost step. Fresh eggs can cause trouble when boiling as the shells might stick to the egg white and make peeling difficult. So, it’s better to use eggs that are three to five days old.
Step 2: Boiling
Boiling water is the key to cooking hard-boiled eggs. You can either use a saucepan or a pot. Fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, use a spoon to gently lower the eggs into the pot. Don’t overcrowd the pot and leave enough space so that each egg can be fully submerged in water.
The ideal time for boiling hard-boiled eggs is 8-12 minutes, depending on how firm you want the yolk. For soft-boiled eggs, cook them for 6-8 minutes. To achieve a perfect yolk, cook them for 9-10 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon or tongs and place them in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 3: Peeling
Now comes the crucial step of peeling the eggs. To peel the eggs, roll them lightly on a flat surface to loosen the shell. Then, tap them gently against the surface and peel the shell off by starting from the larger end. Peel the eggshell off under cold, running water to ensure no shells stick to the egg white.
Congratulations, you have successfully cooked hard-boiled eggs. The eggs are great for a quick breakfast, snacks, or making sandwiches.
FAQs
1. How long should I boil eggs for hard-boiled eggs?
The ideal time for boiling hard-boiled eggs is 8-12 minutes, depending on how firm you want the yolk. For soft-boiled eggs, cook them for 6-8 minutes. For perfect yolk, cook them for 9-10 minutes.
2. How do I know if my boiled eggs are cooked?
To check whether your eggs are cooked or not, take a spoon and gently lift the egg out of the water. If you can feel a firm and solid weight to the egg and see the yolk and white cooked uniformly, the egg is cooked.
3. How do I stop my eggs from cracking when boiling?
Adding vinegar, salt, or baking soda to the boiling water can reduce the chances of an egg cracking. Also, use eggs that are three to five days old.
4. How do I peel hard-boiled eggs without the shells sticking?
To peel the eggs, roll them lightly on a flat surface to loosen the shell. Then, tap them gently against the surface and peel the shell off by starting from the larger end. Peel the eggshell off under cold, running water to ensure no shells stick to the egg white.
In conclusion, hard-boiled eggs are an essential food item, and learning how to cook them is a skill that everyone should have in their arsenal. The key to cooking perfect hard-boiled eggs is timing, boiling water, and selecting the right eggs. Follow the above steps, and you will have delicious, perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs every time.
