Do you hard boil eggs because that is the only way you know how to boil them? Now, you can learn how to boil eggs perfectly exactly how you want them- hard, soft or coddled.

Ahhh. The lowly egg. Which, as it turns out, is not so lowly! Don't just settle for a hard boiled egg. There are so many choices and now you will know how to boil eggs and what the differences between them are.

It all boils down to the timing! ;)

We began eating soft boiled eggs when we lived in Switzerland - I guess it was the European thing to do! Plus, eating eggs out of an egg cup is just plain fun!

Learning to get the perfect soft boiled egg with a runny yolk and slightly formed white took some trial and error though. So, be patient and adjust the times to get the perfect egg for you!

With a bit of practice, you too can learn how to boil eggs perfectly every time!

Are Eggs Healthy?

Before we get into the nitty gritty and how to's of boiling eggs, let's talk about just how nutrient dense they are! Here are the top benefits of eating eggs.

Eggs are the perfect protein - they contain all the amino acids in the right proportions.
The egg white contains more than half the protein of an egg. It also contains vitamin B2, B5, B6, B12, choline, phosphorous, selenium, fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, lecithin and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper.
The cholesterol of an egg is found in the white but does not necessarily adversely affect the blood cholesterol level. Our liver makes cholesterol daily but when we eat more eggs, the liver just doesn't make as much in most people.
Eggs raise the HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) or good cholesterol. This is a good thing because people with a higher level of HDL have a lower chance of stroke or heart disease.
Eggs are high in the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Both are important for eye health and can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

How to Boil Eggs

The printable version of the recipe is found below but here are the basic steps. Again, the difference between a hard boiled egg, soft boiled egg or a coddled egg is all about timing.

For either type, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water.
Put the pan over medium heat and bring the water to boil.
Lower the heat to simmer.
If your eggs are straight out of the refrigerator, add at least 2 minutes to the following cooking times.
If your eggs are at 70° (room temperature), cook for 2 - 3 minutes for soft cooked. Cook about 4 minutes for medium cooked. Cook 10 - 15 minutes for hard cooked.
Hard cooked eggs should be plunged into cold water at once to prevent further cooking and to keep the yolks from discoloring.

How to Cook Coddled Eggs

Bring water in a boiler to boil and carefully lower the eggs one at a time on a tablespoon into the boiling water.
Cover the pan and remove from the heat. Allow 6 - 8 minutes for delicately coddled eggs.
For eggs that hold their shape when opened, turn them several times within the first few minutes of coddling so the white solidifies evenly in the air space and the yolk is centered.

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