Boiled egg

Boiled eggs are cooked by immersing eggs (typically chicken's eggs) in boiling water with their shells unbroken. (Eggs cooked on water without their shells are known as poached eggs; see Poaching (cooking).) Hard-boiled eggs are produced by boiling until both the egg yolk and the egg white are solid, while for soft-boiled eggs the yolk remains "runny". Boiled eggs are commonly eaten in Europe, North America and other parts of the Western world. They are generally considered easier to cook than many other ways of preparing eggs, so much so that the phrase "he doesn't even know how to boil an egg" is used derisively to describe someone who apparently lacks the ability to cook.

Soft-boiled eggs

Soft-boiled eggs are typically cooked by placing in a pan of cold water, which is then brought quickly to boiling and then set to simmer for four to six minutes.[1] After four minutes the egg white should be just set while the egg yolk is still, "runny". They are frequently eaten in an egg cup with bread or toast and are eaten warm. The egg changes rapidly during the first few minutes of cooking, but as the changes cannot be seen through the eggshell timing is critical. Soft boiled eggs which are cooked for too short a time or for too long may not be to the recipient's liking. An egg timer can be used to measure the time the egg is boiled.

Some people may prefer to begin cooking by adding the eggs to boiling water. In this case, the cooking time should then be increased by three to four minutes.^{[citation needed]}

Due to the undercooked yolk, soft-boiled eggs are not recommended for people who may be susceptible to salmonella, such as very young children, the old, and those with weakened immune systems.[2]

In Europe and the United States one or more soft boiled eggs are sometimes taken out of their shells, broken up and put into a glass. They are then eaten from the glass. In some circles this is considered bad manners.[3]

Table manners

Etiquette differs. Some believe it is correct to cut the top from the egg with a knife, and then to use a teaspoon. Others break the eggshell gently by tapping with a spoon.[4] Others believe that cutting the egg lengthwise is the proper way to eat the eggs as two halves are produced thus making it easier to scoop the egg from its shell. This method requires a horizontal egg cup to keep the egg from rolling around on the plate. The Scottish often employ this method so they can garnish the egg with bits of other foods.

Hard-boiled eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are typically boiled for 10-18 minutes, depending on the size of the egg.[5] They can be eaten warm or cold. Cold hard-boiled eggs can be cut up and put into a salad. Hard-boiled eggs can also be eaten warm in an egg cup without removing the shell, especially for people who want the "egg cup experience" of soft-boiled eggs without risking salmonella poisoning.

Hard-boiled eggs are also a popular addition to many Japanese soup dishes, such as oden and ramen.

Preparation

Some cooks (for example, Alton Brown) recommend simply adding eggs to boiling water, then turning off the heat and taking the eggs out any time after the water is cool enough to pick them up safely. The theory is that, as the water cools, just enough heat will transfer to the eggs to cook them properly. One might expect the method to be very sensitive to factors like the amount of water and the number of eggs, but it works well with 1-3 eggs in a medium-sized saucepan. ^{[citation needed]}

Many cooks, however, prefer to exercise more direct control over the process. A typical recipe:

place eggs in a pot
add water until the eggs are submerged to a depth of 1 inch
heat to a boil
reduce heat, maintaining boil for 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired final texture
remove eggs from water

If the cook cools the hot eggs rapidly by running cold water over them, the egg will shrink slightly inside the shell, making it easier to remove. ^{[citation needed]}

Fresh eggs tend to be harder to peel; use older eggs. ^{[citation needed]}

Storage

Hard cooked eggs in the shell can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks, or up to a week if peeled. ^{[citation needed]}

Fiction

A notable fictional controversy involving boiled eggs is the "endian" dispute over which end of a boiled egg should be eaten first, which is the cause of the war between Lilliput and Blefuscu in Johnathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels (1726).
In The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis the “Patient” is at risk of Hell because of annoyance at his mother due to her repeated complaints that the boiled eggs she is given are not quite to her liking.
Hardboiled is a type of crime fiction.

Cooking eggs differently

Other ways of cooking eggs in the West include:

References

External links