How to boil an egg

Boiling an egg is one of those things that people just assume you know how to do. You get water and eggs and boil them, right? Well, not quite. Don’t fret. I know it’s embarrassing that you even had to ask how to boil an egg, but it happened and here we are. No judgement here, we all start somewhere. Let’s dive right in!

How to boil an egg like a boss.

1. Place eggs gently in an empty pot. Don’t ever stack them more than three rows high, split the batch folks. Make sure the pot has a lid.
2. Cover the eggs with COLD tap water until they are submerged and there is an extra inch of coverage (about 3cm). Throw in a generous pinch of salt, this isn’t seasoning, it’s to help peel them later.
3. Put the pot on the stove uncovered to boil. Set the hot plate to a medium to avoid the water heating too quickly and causing the eggs to bounce around.
4. When the water reaches the boil turn off the heat. Put a lid on the pot and leave it there to sit for 10-15 minutes (10 for less hardboiled eggs).
5. After the allotted wait time remove from pan and run under the cold tap to stop the cooking process. Don’t leave them soak in cold water, it makes them impossible to peel later.
6. When it comes to peeling them roll across a flat surface to crack the shell of the egg and peel under cold running water.

Prefer the microwave?

Well, prepare yourself for a little trial and error. The instructions are similar to those listed above, but cooking times will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and how you like your eggs cooked. And you know what happens if you overcook an egg in its shell, right? It explodes. E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. If you’re okay with exploded eggs, let’s move on!

1. Boil enough water to cover the egg (eggs? Put a limit o 3 on it) by an inch or two.
2. Place the eggs into the boiled water with caution. If the eggs are too cold, they may explode on contact! Exercise caution.
3. Put a microwaveable plate over the top of the container and cook the eggs on a low temperature for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Once the timer has stopped let the eggs sit, plate lid still on, for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Carefully remove the plate lid (it may release some steam though most should have dispersed by now).
6. Now you can cool the eggs and peel as per the instructions above. Start at step 5 in the previous list.

Bonus tip:

For a ‘golden egg’ shake the egg vigorously before placing it in the pan. That’s somewhere between a tambourine, and a paint can shaker. Then cook as per above, when it comes out the entire egg will be a golden yellow colour. Fun morning after party trick or cool for those who are totally into Willy Wonka.

Want a cheat for this one?

Next time you’re at the supermarket or $2 shop keep your eyes peeled (egg pun intended) for a submersible egg timer. It will probably be an egg-shaped plastic thing that changes colour as the water heats. As it does it gives you an indication of how cooked, your eggs are. They are a lifesaver in this house. So handy.

Melissa Walker Horn

Melissa is the Leave Home Blog Boss. She is living the high life in her hometown, didn’t finish her marketing degree & drinks too much on a Thursday night. Blogging since 2009, Melissa decided to put everything she knows into making The Leave Home Blog a light & easy how-to guide for being a grown up.

http://leavehome.com.au