Hi fellow seniors, can you boil an egg?

Question

Strangely enough this has been a matter of debate for years now.

I think I've more or less got it right but as I don't have boiled eggs too often I still occasionally get it wrong.

Of course it all depends on the size of the egg and whether or not you start off in cold water or plunge it straight into boiling hot water.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8806534/Theyve-cracked-it-Delia-was-right-after-all-about-how-to-boil-an-egg.html

I tend to plunge a large egg into boiling water for three minutes to get a nice runny yolk that's just ready to dip my soldiers into.

The experiment in the article suggests dropping it into boiling water for six min's but I think that must be for a really large egg.

So how do you get on, have you got a guaranteed method of boiling the perfect egg or do you prefer hard boiled, scrambled, fried or poached instead?

Answer 1

I have a guaranteed method of boiling an egg so that the white is firm but the yolk still runny. I pierce the blunt end of the egg with a pin and then plunge it into boiling water. The air in the egg escapes though the hole, so it doesn't crack the shell. How long you boil it for is a matter of experience depending at which altitude you are. I live at 600 metres and because water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes, it takes 5 minutes. If you live at sea level it might well be 3 1/2 minutes. That bit is trial and error.

Hard boiled? Probably 8 minutes.

Was the experiment carried out on top of the Matterhorn?

I never did trust Delia. She makes simple things complicated and tries to simplify time consuming things. Like stuffing what she calls 'risotto' in the oven instead of watching over it, lovingly and gradually adding the stock. Was that the year there was an earthquake in Italy?

Answer 2

I put the egg in the pan and bring it to a boil and cover it and shut the burner off. I let it sit for 5-6 minutes. Since I've been doing it that way it always comes out just right. The eggs don't crack either. I heard a representative of an egg company speak about this on a cooking show I was involved in a few years back. When I do it this way it doesn't over, or under cook. Usually my eggs are fairly large. I often make boiled eggs and I also enjoy poached.

Answer 3

Hi Lily,

I like cooked eggs but not soft boiled by itself. I like the poached version with hollandaise over the smoked salmon & muffin but only if someone else makes it - its actually too rich for everyday. As it is, I only have eggs about twice a week - diet, you see. I used to really enjoy a fried egg that is slightly crisp white on the edge and warm slightly runny in the yolk for dipping the toast but again this is a rare treat. Hard boiled, basted or scrambled are fine with me whether or I am or the wife is doing the cooking. I guess the nature of soft boiled is just too exacting.

Answer 4

Yes, Lily - I'm pretty good at boiling eggs (slapping self on back).

Funnily enough, only a few days ago I borrowed 'Delia's how to cook - Book one' and have just checked what she actually advises:

Method 1

Put eggs (at room temperature) into saucepan of simmering water and simmer for 1 minute.

Take pan off the heat - cover with lid - and leave for 6 minutes for 'lightly' boiled - 7 minutes for the whites to fully set.

Method 2

Put eggs in a saucepan of cold water - and place pan on a high heat until water boils. Then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes (lightly boiled) 4 minutes for the whites to be fully set.

Both methods should produce the creamy/runny yolk.



Be it far from me to disagree with Mrs Smith but I do as you do. Boil water - immerse eggs - and time for something less than 3 minutes from when water has come to the boil again. I use Xtra large eggs from the fridge and they're usually fine. I don't use a timer - I just know how long it takes from when the water gets back to boiling point - and for me to get out the bread, butter it and make the soldiers.

All this 'simmering' stuff is probably OK if you have a gas stove - mine is electric and takes forever to adjust from boiling to simmer.

; ))

Answer 5

Now that I am on my own, unless I have someone staying, I take my eggs( free range) usually two, hold them under the hot tap to warm them up, to prevent cracking then boil them in hot water, for about 4 minutes. They come out slightly hard boiled with a bit of a runny middle.



I haven't fried an egg for years, it's either boiled or scrambled eggs with a couple of rashers of dry cured bacon. Ordinary bacon leaves a lot of preservative slime in the grill pan, Yuk!



About once per month I go mad and treat myself to a full English breakfast in a favourite cafe.

Answer 6

Put it in cold water wait until it boils then time it from when it boils. I usually use 4 minutes and by the time the egg is put in the egg cup and opened it is just right. Mind you I always buy the largest eggs so it may not work quite so well with small eggs

Answer 7

O-k-a-y..Lily...I do not like running yolks in my boil eggs..yuck!!!

I hard boil my eggs..put eggs in pan, add cold water..cook on high for 15-20 minutes and drain the water, run cold water over it, let set for 1 minutes and then I will peel the egg while it is still somewhat hot and warm and I start the peeling process on the fattest part of the egg first and I make sure I grab that skin underneath the shell and it will peel right off, just like you peel an apple.. yummy..I make lots of boil eggs..=)

Answer 8

I have the hardest time making a 3 min. egg.

I have lived at so many different altitudes from the high deserts of NM to sea level of Hawaii.

My poor husband is always asking me how long his egg has been boiling. I find here in Budapest which is sea level that 4 1/2 min. makes the perfect 3 min. egg for the conditions I am using.

it is all a guessing game with me, such a simple sounding thing is the hardest to get right for me.

Answer 9

Put the eggs in a pan cover with water and add some salt to the water..let them boil about 5 or 6 min..turn off then pour boiling water off and add cold water back over them..let cool then peel..K2

Answer 10

I prefer poached eggs. I just boil a few tablespoons of water on the pot bottom and crack the egg into it. It makes a nice elliptical shape without any fancy utensils.

Answer 11

I put the egg in warm water and and let it come to a boil and leave it in until I feel it's done. I'd rather have fried eggs over easy.

Answer 12

Lily, I enjoy eggs very much! My favorite way is over easy!



I usually make hard boiled eggs, for my husband, he loves them with hot sauce!



I enjoy a soft boiled egg too, I start with cold water, add my eggs, bring to a boil, for three minutes!



I love a egg white Omlette, well I just love eggs!



P.Sl..........I had cereal this morning...........LOL

Answer 13

I haven't boiled an egg in over 20 years, always have hard boiled them don't like runny yolks.

Answer 14

6 minutes in boiling water is perfect for me. I also have an electric egg cooker and I follow the directions.

Answer 15

i start cold water with egg and a drop of milk (to seal a crack if i get one) then let boil for 3-4 minutes



run under cold water and peel under cold water..a little salt and pepper and i am all set



oh i don't like runny eggs i like them hard boiled

Answer 16

Hi Lily,

I can boil an egg and sometimes do for salads.

I prefer fried eggs (in bacon grease) though.

Answer 17

i love eggs but i like either an omelet , or over easy i don't know about boiled but when frying an egg low heat is the secret . of course since my family was originally from the mountains of virginia i fry my eggs in bacon grease instead of butter

Answer 18

I prefer eggs either hard-boiled or poached. And I think bread makes crispier "soldiers" if it's brushed with oil instead of margarine or butter before broiling.

Answer 19

I have a chicken electric egg cooker that gets them just right. I actually prefer my morning eggs fried and turned over easy.

Answer 20

Scrambled, omelette's and boiled egg in salad

Answer 21

I don't eat eggs, so no point in boiling one.

Answer 22

Scrambled eggs are much easier. Add cheese....

Answer 23

I don't eat eggs (just don't like them), and if Him Indoors wants eggs, he cooks his own

Answer 24

I throw them into boiling water!,,,Chucky eggs!....