Thanis Lim

All Rounder Chef and Food Journalist

The Perfect Hardboiled Egg


The Classic Hard Boiled Egg


The simple, classic Boiled Egg, is indeed one of the finest and easiest edible delights known on earth, with just 70 calories, and full of nature’s most perfect form of protein.

While there are many ways of preparing Boiled Eggs, we suggest below the directions for making eggs which are the easiest to peel and which will not have the dark green discolored coating on the yolk (see step 2 for tips to help avoid the green discoloration).


Extremely fresh eggs will not peel easily. In fact, an egg that is just a day or two old is almost impossible to peel. As eggs age, the shells will peel more easily. It is advisable that eggs used for hard cooking (including Easter Eggs) be at least 2 weeks old before cooking for easiest peeling. Hard cooked eggs that are cooked slowly over low heat (and not ‘boiled’) will be more difficult to peel.

Warning: This is not the best way to make hardboiled eggs!


Directions for Large Eggs:

1. Place eggs in a saucepan with enough COLD tap water to cover completely by 1 inch. Bring to a ROLLING boil over HIGH heat. Once the water is brought to a rolling boil, PROMPTLY reduce heat to a lower medium boil and cook an additional 10 minutes for a “hard boiled” egg. For a “soft boiled” egg reduce the time by a few minutes, probably 6-7.

2. Remove from heat and IMMEDIATELY place eggs under ice cold water or in a bowl of ICED water to chill promptly to help yolks stay bright yellow. Chill for a few minutes in the cold water until the egg is completely cooled. This is an extremely important step which prevents the greenish “ring” from forming on the surface of the yolk over time. If the egg is not chilled immediately after cooking an unsightly dark greenish ring will eventually appear on the outside of the yolk.

3. To peel...crack on all sides, roll egg between hands to loosen shell,and remove shell. Enjoy while still warm, with a light sprinkling of salt if desired.


To serve in egg cup, place egg in cup small end down, slice off large end of egg with knife or egg scissors and eat from shell with spoon.

Refrigeration is necessary for hard boiled eggs if they eggs are not to be consumed within a few hours.

Refrigerated boiled eggs, kept in the shell, can be kept for up to 1 week.

7 comments

7 comments :

  1. I want to try placing the egg on the stove fire like that!

    But have to buy insurance first. Hahhaa

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  2. Later the egg explode ah. LoL

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  3. I never knew you should cool the egg straight after boiling to prevent that green colour! Does that mean you won't be able to have hot hard-boiled eggs? :(

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  4. Ihsan: The egg will still be warm after you cool it. It will also make it easier to peel this way.

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  5. Anonymous12:47 AM

    All this talk about eggs, I thought I'd let you in on a very quick and easy meal my cousin taught me. Break an egg into a mug or bowl and pour in boiling water while stiring. This will produce a sort of egg soup. You can add soy sauce or salt to taste and it's pretty yummy!

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  6. I think a lot of uni students might use that idea Ming. Quick and easy breakfast.

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  7. Anonymous3:00 AM

    the egg looks purrfect!

    ReplyDelete