Cooking and Preparing Boiled Eggs

Boiling Eggs

• Immersing an egg in boiling water is the simplest way to cook it.
• Eggs cooked whole require mild heat to preserve whites soft and yolks moist.
• The process of cooking eggs in water without breaking their shells is known as boiling.
• The water needs to be at a simmer to prevent toughening the whites.

Soft Boiled Eggs

• A soft-boiled egg is a whole egg that has been simmered in water until the white is set but still soft and the yolk is still runny inside.
• It takes 3 to 4 minutes to cook, depending on the desired level of doneness.
• The white needs to be kept soft if it's going to be consumed directly from the shell.

Cooking Soft Boiled Eggs

• Bring water to a slow boil, then lower it to a simmer.
• Gently place the eggs in the water, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove with a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander, and cool under cold running water to stop the cooking.

Peeling Soft Boiled Eggs

• Soft boiled eggs aren't peeled like hard boiled eggs due to their liquidy yolk and soft white.
• Serve by slicing off the top of the shell and serving in an egg cup.

Jammy Eggs

• A jammy or medium boiled egg is one that has more stability than a soft boiled egg but isn't as firm as a hard boiled egg.
• It is generally boiled for 7-9 minutes to achieve the perfect jammy texture.

Cooking Jammy Eggs

• Bring water to a rapid boil, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer.
• Cook for 7 minutes, or 9 minutes if eggs are straight from the fridge.
• Remove eggs from boiling water and plunge them into an ice bath.

Peeling Jammy Eggs

• Jammy eggs may be peeled and served without the entire shell.
• They can also be served like soft boiled eggs, with just the top cut off in an egg cup.

Hard Boiled Eggs

• Hard-boiled eggs are a delicious snack or addition to salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
• Precise timing is required to produce a hard-boiled egg without cracks or ugly green yolks.
• The size of the egg plays a huge factor in how long it takes to hard boil an egg.

Cooking Hard Boiled Eggs

• Place eggs in a single layer on the bottom of the pot, and cover them with cold water.
• Bring the pot to a rolling boil, then remove it from the heat.
• Let the eggs sit for 12-15 minutes, depending on their size.

Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

• Hard-boiled eggs can be peeled and served without the entire shell.

Poaching Eggs

• Poached eggs follow the same principles as hard-boiled eggs, except the shell is not present.
• The goal is to maintain the egg's shape, which is compact and circular, not spread out over the entire pan.
• A poached egg is one that has been simmered in acidic boiling water without its shell.
• Timing is key when poaching an egg, and it's easier to check for doneness compared to boiling eggs.
• Poached eggs can be overcooked or undercooked, but not have varying degrees of doneness.
• The ideal poached egg is compact, round, with firm but tender whites and warm, liquid yolks.

Chemistry of Egg Whites

• Egg whites are primarily composed of ovalbumin protein and a small amount of water.
• Ovalbumin solidifies when heated due to denaturation, causing the protein to break down and start to solidify.
• Denaturation can be done in different ways, including adding an acid to the cooking process.
• Adding vinegar to the boiling water speeds up the process of denaturing, helping the poached egg maintain its shape better.

Cooking Poached Eggs

• Fill a large, nonstick pot with water, adding a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice and a handful of kosher salt if using.
• Bring the water to a simmer, then crack a fresh egg into a fine strainer, and tip it into a cup, small bowl, or ramekin.
• Swirl the water to create a small whirlpool, then gently tip the egg into the pot.
• Leave the water to simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the white is firm but still tender and the yolk feels semi-liquid.
• Carefully lift the egg using a slotted spoon, allowing excess water to drain off, and place it onto kitchen paper to drain remaining water.

Serving Poached Eggs

• Popular ways to eat poached eggs include simple or on toast with butter.
• Salt and pepper make great seasonings, and poached eggs can be added to soups, stews, salads, and more for a protein-rich addition.
• Serve poached eggs with melted butter and freshly chopped herbs for a more elegant presentation.

Learn about the different ways to cook and prepare boiled eggs, including soft boiled eggs, jammy eggs, and hard boiled eggs. Explore the various methods of cooking and peeling eggs.