How to Boil an Egg

[YOhio]

I make them whenever we do chinese food. It's great with a little soy paste and rice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soy_egg

http://www.recipezaar.com/Soy-Sauce-...to-Eggs-188795

I'd like to once again recommend this method of egg preparation, but only with a modified recipe I've utilized since this post.

Soy Egg (also called Lu Dan)
Boil an egg. Peel it.

Put the peeled egg in a pot filled with:
1 cup or so of soy sauce
3 or 4 tbs of sugar (white or brown)
2-3 star anise pods
2 slices of ginger
2 smashed garlic cloves
Enough water to make sure the eggs are submerged

Let the eggs simmer low in this mixture for about an hour. Remove and then eat as a side to your meal. It goes great with soy-based dipping sauces and sliced green onions as a garnish.

[Chachi]

I boil eggs a little differently and always end up with a nice yellow yoke.

Place eggs in a pot fillled with cold water, enough to cover eggs by 1". Place lid on and bring water to a boil. DO NOT LIFT LID. EVER. Once water boils, turn off heat, and leaving the lid on allow to sit for 10 minutes. Voila.

[LA Ute]

I always poke a pinhole in the large end of the egg to allow air to escape and prevent the shell from breaking. Does anyone else do this?

[TripletDaddy]

I boil eggs a little differently and always end up with a nice yellow yoke.

Place eggs in a pot fillled with cold water, enough to cover eggs by 1". Place lid on and bring water to a boil. DO NOT LIFT LID. EVER. Once water boils, turn off heat, and leaving the lid on allow to sit for 10 minutes. Voila.

How do you know when the water is boiling?

[YOhio]

How do you know when the water is boiling?

Magic! Or steam. Boiling water creates steam, which will be furiously trying to escape the covered pot. This will be a very good indicator that the water is boiling.

[TripletDaddy]

Magic! Or steam. Boiling water creates steam, which will be furiously trying to escape the covered pot. This will be a very good indicator that the water is boiling.

So bring the water not just to a boil, but to a furious boil? Or maybe I can put my ear really close to a scalding pot and listen for bubbles.

[YOhio]

So bring the water not just to a boil, but to a furious boil? Or maybe I can put my ear really close to a scalding pot and listen for bubbles.

You're being purposefully difficult and I will humor you no longer!

[Chachi]

So bring the water not just to a boil, but to a furious boil? Or maybe I can put my ear really close to a scalding pot and listen for bubbles.

My chemistry teacher said once that men suck at boiling water because they don't know what "boiling" is. My lids are glass, and even though there is condensation on the lid, I can still see if water is boiling or not. But in case yours aren't glass, then use the steam indicator. Or your ears. I can hear my water boiling...

[TripletDaddy]

My chemistry teacher said once that men suck at boiling water because they don't know what "boiling" is. My lids are glass, and even though there is condensation on the lid, I can still see if water is boiling or not. But in case yours aren't glass, then use the steam indicator. Or your ears. I can hear my water boiling...

I will use the standard method, which allows me to lift the lid as often as I please and still results in a boiled egg. If you want to give up your ability to lift the lids on your pots, that is your prerogative.

[Chachi]

I will use the standard method, which allows me to lift the lid as often as I please and still results in a boiled egg. If you want to give up your ability to lift the lids on your pots, that is your prerogative.

You're weird.

[Devildog]

If you're meticulous about the appearance of your eggs-- you probably dont like that greenish ring that forms on the surface of the yolks.

OK I just followed your directions for a few dozen Easter eggs.

Came out just like you said, (I tested a few) bright yellow fluffy yolks... no green ring.

Thanks for that trick.

I wondered what made the outside of egg yolks green when hard boiled.

[Clark Addison]

We have seen three suggestions for promoting easy peeling in this thread:

1. Salt in the boiling water
2. Vinegar in the boiling water
3. Baking Soda in the cold water

Is there a definitive answer to this? I will be boiling eggs tomorrow, and this has been a problem lately, I assume due to the high humidity or alkaline soil or something around these parts.

[Joe Public]

How do you know when the water is boiling?

I place the lid on the pot after the water comes to a boil.

[Devildog]

We have seen three suggestions for promoting easy peeling in this thread:

1. Salt in the boiling water
2. Vinegar in the boiling water
3. Baking Soda in the cold water

Is there a definitive answer to this? I will be boiling eggs tomorrow, and this has been a problem lately, I assume due to the high humidity or alkaline soil or something around these parts.

I didn't try the baking soda... but I did add the salt and the vinegar to the water.

The egg shell basically came apart in two big sections after the initial crack and small pieces.

So that worked for me too.

I hate it when you end up mangling the egg and peeling it comes down to tiny little pieces that stick to the egg white.

I suspect I have previously been overcooking the eggs.

[FMCoug]

I am late to the party but just tried this. Came out perfect! The yellow yolks are particularly important for deviled eggs. I used the vinegar in the water sans salt. Didn't see the baking soda one. All but one peeled easily.