Those who aren’t into cooking find it appalling when they find a couple of cooks discussing the basics – like boiling an egg. But cooking is like that. One can be pretty good, and yet be struggling with some basic methods.

Boiling an egg can be tricky.

Are the Eggs Fresh?

Aged eggs usually peel better. To check whether the eggs are fresh, put them in a glass of water. If the egg sinks and lays on its side, it is fresh. If it floats on the surface, it is too old to consume. If it stands on one end, then it is a few weeks old and perfect for boiling.

The Foolproof Method

The best boiled eggs take a bit of effort. With this method, you can even use fresh eggs, it should be fine. If the eggs are cracked too, this technique is a saving grace.

The eggs turn out beautiful with this method, almost translucent, soft and yet cooked through.

• Place the eggs in a steamer. If you don’t have a steamer, place them in a colander and place the colander inside a pot. Don’t use a plastic colander or it will melt. Make sure the colander isn’t touching the water, and that there is enough water so it doesn’t dry up.
• Steam the eggs for 20 minutes.
• If the eggs were farm fresh, dunk the eggs in cold water for a few minutes after steaming, and they should be easy to peel.

The Lazy Method

This has worked for me almost all the time, but if the eggs are very fresh, that could be a bit problematic.

• Add 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp vinegar to a pot of water.
• Place the eggs gently into the water.
• NOW place the pot on the heat and bring to a boil. Do not heat the water before adding the eggs, as the eggs will crack.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• They are now ready to peel.