Hard-Cooked or “Boiled” Egg

Hard-Cooked or “Boiled” Egg
Hard-Cooked or “Boiled” Egg
Instructions
  1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot.
  2. Carefully lower eggs into pot and continue to boil for 30 seconds.
  3. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low (water should maintain a bare simmer), and continue cooking for 11 minutes.
  4. Serve immediately if serving hot.
  5. To peel the egg, immediately place eggs in a bowl of ice water and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before peeling under cool running water. Tap the egg at its widest part and begin peeling from that end.
  6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes

The green discoloration that sometimes forms around hard-cooked yolks results from a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk. It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. In some Asian countries, this green discoloration and its associated sulfur taste is considered the standard for a properly cooked “hard-boiled egg.”

Very fresh eggs can be difficult to peel. Hard-cooked eggs are easiest to peel right after cooling. Cooling causes the egg to contract slightly in the shell. To peel a hard-cooked egg: Gently tap egg on countertop until shell is finely crackled all over. Roll egg between hands to loosen shell. Starting peeling at large end, holding egg under cold running water to help ease the shell off.

Food safety precaution: Piercing shells before cooking is not recommended. If not sterile, the piercer or needle can introduce bacteria into the egg. Also, piercing creates hairline cracks in the shell, through which bacteria can enter after cooking. Never microwave eggs in shells. Steam builds up too quickly inside and eggs are likely to explode.

Storage time: In the shell, hard-cooked eggs can be refrigerated safely up to one week. Refrigerate in their original carton to prevent odor absorption. Once peeled, eggs should be eaten that day.

High altitude cooking: It’s almost impossible to hard-cook eggs in water above 10,000 feet.