A poached egg begins with the freshest eggs possible, as their quality greatly influences the final result. When cooked to perfection, the white of the egg is tender and silky, while the yolk remains gloriously runny and golden. Achieving this delicate balance is the hallmark of a perfectly poached egg.
Boiled eggs: soft
Soft-boiled eggs have a runny yolk and are perfect for dipping toast soldiers for the classic breakfast, or adding to salads.
Start by selecting fresh eggs of your choice. It's always best to use eggs at room temperature for more even cooking. Keep in mind that if you’re using very large eggs, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
- Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the eggs into the boiling water using a spoon or tongs.
- Set a timer, and boil the eggs for approximately 5 minutes for a runny yolk.
- Remove from the pot using a slotted spoon.
For breakfast eggs, they’re ready to eat – just pop them into egg cups and lop off the tops.
Medium-boiled eggs
Medium-boiled eggs have a creamy, custard-like yolk and work in a variety of dishes. Try them added to a ramen bowl or Nicoise salad (link to recipes).
- Follow the steps above, but cook eggs for 8 minutes.
- Once cooked, transfer the eggs to a bowl of iced water to halt the cooking process and make them easier to peel.
- When cool, gently tap and peel the eggs, taking care not to break the delicate whites.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs have a fully set yolk and are great for slicing, adding to salads, or making devilled eggs. They’re also a great protein-packed snack to have on hand.
- Follow the steps above, but cook eggs for 10-12 minutes.
- Once cooked, transfer the eggs to a bowl of iced water to halt the cooking process and make them easier to peel. Or simply cool at room temperature until they're ready to use. Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
- When ready to eat, gently tap and peel the eggs, taking care not to break the whites.
TIP: Looking for inspiration on what to do with your boiled eggs? Check out our recipe section.
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