How to Boil An Egg

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

09 Jul 2007 11:17 AM

Okay, you're laughing at me, right? Of course you know how to boil an egg, or do you? You see, there seems to be so many different ways to get that little egg cooked. Ask different people you know, and chances are that you will find some disparity in technique.

So what is the proper way to boil an egg? Well, in my experience, this is the best way to ensure a nicely cooked hard boil egg, one that is not too hard (and rubbery) or too soft. This is an egg with a nice bright yellow yolk. By the way, green or gray hard boiled yokes are perfectly safe to eat, even if they aren't very attractive.

1. First, carefully add your egg (or eggs) to a saucepan. Glass saucepans seem to work the best with minimal breakage to the egg.
2. Fill the pan until the egg is covered with about an inch of water.
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil and allow the egg to boil for exactly one minute.
4. Turn off the heat but keep the pan on the stove. Allow the egg to sit still in the water for 15 minutes.
5. Promptly remove the egg and chill in a boil of ice water or use very cold tap water, changing the water frequently as it heats up.

Enjoy your perfect hard boiled egg. Personally, I like them in egg salad, potato salad or just straight with a little bit of salt. They are great in salads, too.

And here is an extra tip for you. If you find that your eggs are difficult to peel you can add either salt or white vinegar to the water before boiling. You'll only need about a teaspoon or two of salt or vinegar. Be careful not to add too much vinegar, though, or the egg will smell very strongly.

Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com, where she shares money saving tips for today's families. She also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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MsRebecca (5) 09 Jul 2007 12:53 PM

I think I started enjoying hard boiled eggs the moment I found out I was allergic to them.. I have since grown out of my allergy and just recently enjoyed 2 hard boiled eggs with a splash of salt.. To keep them from breaking.. I set them in a plastic spoon and gently roll them into the pan or I sometimes set them in the pan before I add the water.. I don't like when my eggs get the cracked hernia bulge when allowed to boil with a crack in their exterior.. Just my tipful food for thought :o)

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 10 Jul 2007 03:38 AM

What a great tip! What type of pan do you use?

jonesx6 (1606) 10 Jul 2007 09:11 AM

Thanks for the tip! My eggs are sometimes very hard to peel. Laura

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 10 Jul 2007 10:55 AM

You're welcome! There is nothing worse than a pitted egg, especially if you are trying to use them for presentation.