A boiled egg is a simple treat that is nourishing, delicious, and low in calories. It offers an abundant source of protein and is surprisingly easy to cook. Hard boiling is a process that does not require a lot of time or expertise to accomplish. By following a few basic guidelines, almost anyone can successfully prepare hard boiled eggs that taste good and are good for you. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Preparation
Choose eggs for hard boiling that are 3 to 4 days old instead of fresh ones; they will be easier to peel. Remove the eggs from the refrigerator several minutes before hard boiling, because cold eggs tend to crack during the boiling process. Place the eggs in a small shallow pan in a single layer and cover with cold water to about an inch above each egg. Small pans are better, since they do not allow the eggs to shift around as much. Many people believe that about a teaspoon of salt added before boiling helps to make the eggs easier to peel.
Boiling the Eggs
Place the pan of eggs on the stove and set the temperature to medium to medium low. Rapid cooking can cause the eggs to crack or break. Set a timer and cook for 17 to 20 minutes for large or jumbo eggs and 10 to 12 minutes for small to medium eggs.
Remove cooked eggs from the heat, drain the hot water, and add cold water just to cover the eggs. To ensure that the eggs are hard boiled, spin one on a hard surface. Undercooked eggs will be wobbly and won't spin. Allow the eggs to cool 10 minutes before peeling.
After Cooking
Once the eggs have cooled, crack the shells on a hard surface and peel under running cold water. Start peeling at the larger end (flat side) where an air pocket is located.
Hard boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if not used right away. Place peeled eggs in a container with a tight lid. Unpeeled eggs can be stored in their original container. It might be a good idea to color these eggs with food coloring before placing them in the carton to differentiate them from raw ones.
Tips and Suggestions
Even though hard boiling eggs is a simple process, it is sometimes easy to overcook them. Overcooking causes a green layer to form around the yolk. This green layer is caused by a reaction in the yolk to the sulfur contained in the white.
Hard boiled eggs cannot be prepared in the microwave, as they will explode. However, peeled hard boiled eggs can be reheated or warmed in the microwave.
Tags: boiled eggs, cold water, hard boiling, boiling process, easier peel