Room Temperature Eggs:
Start with eggs that are at room temperature. This helps to prevent the shells from cracking due to a sudden change in temperature when they hit the hot water.
Boiling Water:
Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs completely. Bring the water to a full boil over high heat.
Adding the Eggs:
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low (just enough to maintain a simmer) and use a spoon or ladle to gently lower the eggs into the water. This prevents the eggs from bouncing and cracking.
Cooking Time:
For soft-boiled eggs: Cook for about 4-6 minutes.
For medium-boiled eggs: Cook for about 6-9 minutes.
For hard-boiled eggs: Cook for about 10-12 minutes.
Adjust the time slightly depending on the size of the eggs and your altitude, which can affect cooking.
Cooling the Eggs:
Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove them with a slotted spoon and immediately place them into a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and makes peeling easier.
Peeling:
After the eggs have cooled for about 5 minutes in ice water, gently crack the shells and peel them under a little running water. The water helps to lift the shell away from the egg.
