Conjuring up the perfect boiled egg requires some finesse and knowledge. With these five valuable tips, it's child's play: from soft to hard, a delight in any consistency:
1. Are the eggs still good?
Before you start cooking, make sure the eggs are still good. A simple test is to place an egg in a glass of water carefully. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom, while older eggs will float.
2. Boil eggs without cracking
Nothing is more annoying than when your eggs burst during cooking. To prevent this, there are a few tricks for boiling eggs without cracking:
- A small hole can be carefully pierced with a needle or egg piercer at the wide end of the egg before it is cooked. This allows excess air to escape, and the shell will not burst easily.
- The cooking water also plays a role. It should not be boiling but only slightly simmering to prevent the eggs from heating up too quickly.
- Take the eggs out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. This avoids temperature shocks that can cause cracks in the shell.
3. Cooking water
The choice of cooking water can influence the cooking process. To make the shells come off more easily, add a pinch of salt. A splash of vinegar can help bind any leaked egg whites.
4. Quench the eggs
After cooking, immediately quench the eggs in cold water. This stops the cooking process and makes peeling easier. This step is particularly important for hard-boiled eggs, as it prevents the gray rim from forming around the yolk.