E is for Egg
"An egg is always an adventure; the next one may be different."
Oscar Wilde
The egg: a baking must-have, breakfast staple, favorite of Dr. Seuss, and topic of some time-honored philosophical questions about which came first. Eggs are among the most popular sources of protein in America, in fact, the average American eats 19 pounds of eggs per year, according to the USDA.
What are the benefits of eating eggs every day? For starters, you can easily up your daily protein count. Packed with amino acids, antioxidants, and healthy fats, eggs also improve your overall health. Oh, and don't skip the yolk! Egg yolks contain the fat-fighting nutrient called choline, so opting for whole eggs can actually help you slim down.
Call us old fashioned, but we absolutely adore a good boiled egg. Take a look at our ultimate guide to boiling your egg to perfection.
Step 1: Place eggs in the bottom of a saucepan. Be sure not to crowd the eggs in the pan. They should fit comfortably.
Step 2: Fill the pan with cold water, 1 inch above the eggs.
Step 3: Bring the water to a rapid boil on the stovetop over high heat.
Step 4: Once the water comes to a boil, cover the pan with a lid and remove the pan from the heat. Do not lift the lid. Set a timer for the type of boiled egg you want (see below).
Step 5: Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
Step 6: When the eggs reach the desired cooking time, use tongs to remove the eggs from the hot water and immerse gently into the prepared ice water to cool, about 10 minutes.
Step 7: Gently tap the eggs against a hard surface and peel away the shell. Rinse the egg under cold water to remove any bits of shell and pat dry.
Here’s our minute-by-minute guide to get them just the way you want them!
4 minutes = runny yolk
5 minutes = yolk is almost set
6 minutes = soft boiled, jammy yolk
8 minutes = medium boiled
10 minutes = classic, hard boiled
11 minutes = slightly overcooked