What are the steps to cook a hard boiled egg?

1. Gather Your Materials:

* Eggs: Choose fresh eggs for the best flavor and texture.

* Pot: Large enough to comfortably hold the eggs with room to spare.

* Cold water: Enough to cover the eggs by at least an inch.

* Ice water: A bowl filled with ice water for quickly cooling the eggs.

2. Preparing the Eggs:

* Start with cold eggs: Don't use eggs straight from the refrigerator, as they may crack during cooking. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

3. Cooking the Eggs:

* Place eggs in a pot: Add the eggs to a pot and cover them with cold water by at least an inch.

* Bring to a boil: Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil.

* Reduce heat and simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Here's where the cook time matters:

* For soft-boiled eggs: Simmer for 3-4 minutes.

* For medium-boiled eggs: Simmer for 6-8 minutes.

* For hard-boiled eggs: Simmer for 10-12 minutes.

* Remove from heat: After the desired time, turn off the heat and immediately drain the hot water.

4. Cooling the Eggs:

* Ice bath: Transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water. This stops the cooking process and makes the eggs easier to peel.

* Let cool completely: Leave the eggs in the ice bath for 10-15 minutes until they are completely cool.

5. Peeling the Eggs:

* Tap and roll: Gently tap the eggs all over to crack the shell. Then, roll them on a flat surface to loosen the shell further.

* Peel under running water: Hold the egg under cold running water and begin peeling from the wider end, where the air pocket is located.

Tips for Success:

* Fresh eggs peel easier: Older eggs tend to have a tighter membrane, making peeling more challenging.

* Add salt or vinegar: Adding a tablespoon of salt or a teaspoon of vinegar to the boiling water can help prevent cracking and make peeling easier.

* Don't overcook: Overcooked hard-boiled eggs will have a greenish-gray ring around the yolk, which is harmless but not appealing.

* Store properly: Once peeled, hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a container of cold water.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs!