How to boil an egg

Yes, there is a technique for boiling the perfect egg!

Here’s how to boil an egg:

Use eggs at room temperature.

Bring the water to a boil, then simmer and slip the eggs into the water. Use this cooking guide (using large eggs) for perfect results:

• Soft eggs: cook for 3 – 4 minutes
• Soft-yolk eggs: cook for 5 – 6 minutes
• Hard-boiled eggs: cook for 8 – 10 minutes

To have the yolk perfectly centred, add the egg to the simmering water while stirring to create a whirlpool. Continue to stir for about a minute while cooking.

Read more: soft-boiled eggs with asparagus-Parma ham soldiers

Tips for the perfect boiled egg

• When using eggs straight out of the fridge, soak them in cold water first for a couple of minutes, as cold eggs will crack when slipped into hot water.
• Eggs can be added to cold water as well, but timing is more accurate when they are added to steadily simmering or gently boiling water.
• Start timing cooking when the egg is slipped into the simmering water.
• Overcooked eggs have a grey line around the yolk. To stop the grey line from forming, quickly place the eggs in cold water and peel.

Read more: soft-boiled eggs with prosciutto-wrapped toast soldiers and porcini butter

Delicious ideas with boiled eggs

• For a healthy lunch, mash hard-boiled eggs and mix with chunky cottage cheese and chives. Spread on rye toast, season and top with fresh sprouts and watercress.
• Mash cooked pork sausage meat and mix with scrambled eggs. Add some grated mozzarella and serve on toasted seed loaf topped with fresh chives.