Eggs

[lackie]

Any chefs out there know how to peel perfect hard boiled eggs - no kidding. Tried under running water; when hot; when cold. The shells always seemed to be stuck on with superglue and I always end up with a rubbishy peeled egg not fit for presentation.

[doglady]

If you get your hard boiled egg, and roll it around on your worktop for a bit, it loosens and cracks all the shell, so you can peal if off easily.

Good luck!!

[nickmo]

Boi;l older eggs for an easier peel (as noted: http://www.goodegg.com/boiledegg.html ) Fresh eggs are harder to get the shell off, so use an older one for better results.

Also as above gently roll the cooked egg and this will crack the whole of the shell. Dip in cold water may help, and another idea is to boil, then leave in the pan after draining , for another 5 mins with a lid on and the steam is meant to get into the shell and so lift it and make it easier to peel, but I suggest try the older egg idea first.

[lackie]

Thanks doglady - have tried that and it does get a percentage better. The other night I peeled 4 and none of them came out right - they looked a mess. Eggs never used to be like that. I started buying farm eggs and they are not much better. I know its a trivial subject, but when you present them on a plate they tend to look as if the dog has been at them ! cheers! I'll egg on!!

[lackie]

Interesting reading nickmo - the eggs I buy are freshly laid. Another thing I didn't know is that they keep for up to a week - have always thrown them away after a couple of days. Thanks.

[nickmo]

Lackie - see: http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Chickens&cat=Eggs for a bunch of stuff on eggs and if you want proper fresh eggs and you have a garden, why not get an eglu and keep your own layers? Have a look at their site and maybe give it a go...

[waimarie]

Boil water, add a little vinegar to water to coagulate any white running from slight cracks. Add eggs, gently boil for twelve minutes. Always refresh a hard boiled egg under running water until cold in order to avoid the black ring around yolk. Lightly tap and roll on bench top and peel. Always cover peeled eggs in cold water and store in refrigerator.

[joannie10]

my dad goes and collects me fresh eggs fortnightly from a farm. I keep in the fridge (i know there are debates about that) but happily eat them after almost two weeks. Dont taste any less fresh.

[lackie]

Thank you all - some good information.

joannie10 - I didn't mean that I throw the unused eggs away after a couple of days - just the ones I've hardboiled. I didn't realise they kept for upto a week - that's good to know.

[BBWCHATT]

After boiling them - drain all the water and put them in very cold and/or iced water until they are totally cold. Then crack and peel - super easy to get the shells off that way. Sometimes I just turn on the cold water and let it run for a long time until they have cooled all the way thru.