Hard-boiled Eggs & Easter!! Post your tips!

[KimRaye]

It's that time of year and, I didn't see a thread yet!

So, I'll start. My way is the one-way you won't read about because it goes against any Suzy Homemaker/Martha Stewart 'recipes'.

First, DON'T use the freshest eggs! I mean it! By the time I hard-boil my eggs, I will have had them at least 1-2 weeks. Supposedly, this makes for easier shell removal. (works for me)

Second, I BOIL my eggs for 10 minutes. I don't let the water come to a boil and, just let them sit, like everyone suggests, I let them BOIL for 10 minutes, everytime!

And, I use a LOT of salt in the water, maybe 1/4 cup or more (I don't know, I never measure) but, plenty enough to cover the bottom of whatever pot I'm using. Supposedly, this limits any oozing. It doesn't eliminate it, it limits it.

Then, I immediately run the pot under cold water for anywhere from 5-15 minutes, depending on how long I can stand listening to running water and then, transfer to the frig.

There you have it. I don't have ANY kitchen credentials AT ALL but, I do make hard-boiled eggs Year-round, not just at Easter.

I'm off to start a thread looking for Coloring Egg tips, please watch for it also.

Happy Easter!

 

[cgcw]

Oh, Kim, I am so much in need of this help. I am the worst when it comes to boiling eggs. I think I just don't have the patience for it and tend to do it to quickly, which means they all split. And, who wants to have split Easter eggs? Not my kids.

One year, I didn't boil them long enough (must have been the only time they didn't split) and my DS was able to break them with his fingers when he picked them up during our egg hunt. Now we have our dog, so we have to be careful because I'm certain raw eggs would not be good for him.

Thanks for the tips. I'll try it this year. Better go out and find some not so fresh eggs tonight!!

 

[piratesmate]

I agree with Kim! Under no circumstances (unless maybe you don't plan to actually peel & eat them) should you use eggs you haven't had at least 2 weeks! They just won't peel.

I put the 2 week old eggs in the pan & cover them with cold water. Add salt (I've never used as much as Kim . . . usually just a teaspoon, but will try using more this time) then bring them to a boil & reduce the heat to LOW to simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the hot water & cover with cold water. I usually replace the water 2ce after it gets to room temp.

Deb

 

[December99]

For the first time in 13 years, we will not be coloring eggs this year and I think dd is a bit upset. I know I am but there isn't much I can do about it. I have to leave on Friday to head to Virginia for a quick trip to see my aunt with my dad. There just isn't enough time to get them done.

But...wanted to offer up mine - I'm not Martha either but I'd love to try and dye eggs with natural stuff...it just looks so cool!!!

I boil my eggs for 20 minutes because I like to make sure they are done - don't like droopy eggs. Probably a bit too long but I do. I never heard of putting the salt in there - good idea. I also run mine over cold water for a few minutes and then I let them sit in the cold water and I usually do this twice - until the water stops getting warm.

 

[wovenwonder]

I put my eggs in a pot of water with salt. I bring it to a good roaring boil and then turn the burner off. I let the eggs sit in the hot pot of water for about 15-20 minutes and then I put them in cold water to cool.

The peel easily, cook thru, and don't get that green ring around the yoke.

 

[Bunchkin]

Eggs into a big pot of cold water. Bring to a rapid boil. And boil for a few minutes. Take off of the heat and cover. Let sit for 18 minutes. Drain hot water and fill pot with cold water and let sit for a little while. Transfer to fridge.

They come out great every time. Never over cooked or under cooked. No green ring. Easy to peel too.

Never tried salt, I'll have to consider that one. And I never heard of using a week to 2 week old eggs.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've never tried the boil and sit method. Think I might give that a try this year. I usually don't have trouble with boiled eggs, but every once in a while they'll be hard to peel.

 

[piratesmate]

Re: using 2 week old eggs . . . .

I was told that using older eggs allows time for the membrane inside the egg to pull away from the shell. I think that this is also the reason for "quick cooling" them also.

I forgot to mention that my instructions came from my mother & grandmother. (My mother grew up during the Depression.) When they were young, they kept their own chickens. The eggs were REALLY fresh then. That's probably where it came from. I rarely use eggs from the grocery even now. We don't keep chickens, but there is an egg farm "up the road" & we get ours from there. (This is a place that mass distributes, but has an outlet for locals.)

I'd guess that eggs from the grocery don't give you the "shelling problem" because they're already on the older side when you buy them.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I've read that fresher is better, at least for deviled eggs that you plan to prepare immediately before serving.

I gently place a 12-18 eggs in 5-6 qt. dutch oven and cover with tap water, bring to rolling boil and turn burner off. Allow eggs to cook in the hot water for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cold tap water until cool. When eggs are cool enough to handle, peel, and slice in half lengthwise. Remove yolk, mix with desired mayo/mustard/cream cheese, etc. then stuff mixture into sliced eggs.

Now as for Easter Eggs that have been in a cold fridge for a few days, I always have a hard time peeling them. I think you're supposed to bring them up to room temperature, but then the dye runs and turns your hands colors.

 

[mamajoan]

Ok.. after doing this over Many years with all the kids I will tell you Mamajoan's Easter Egg Secret...

1 Buy 1 dozen eggs for each child doing the eggs
2 Purchase 1 kit for each child doing the eggs
3.Buy DH 1 dozen of his favorite BEER
4. Boil all the eggs on Good Friday Evening/CHILL the beer
5 Saturday Afternoon.. Set up Kitchen table with lots of newspaper, styrofoam cups, crayons and assemble everyones dye for them..
6.Set DH in Kitchen at the head of the table with his beer
7. Call the kids in -setting each child at his particular egg dying station
8. NOW YOU MUST LEAVE THE KITCHEN... ALLOW DH TO DO THE EGG DYE PROJECT WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!! Order a pizza to be delivered in one hour, do not tell the other family members.
9. After everyone has wandered out of the kitchen.. return with family to admire all the eggs.. place in large Easter Basket so the Easter bunny May also admire them...Everyone will help clean up,
Pizza is delivered. All may partake of the pizza when mess is cleared away! Many good giggly memories will have been made!
10. ENJOY THE REST OF THE DAY!

This is the best way to enjoy the Easter Egg Coloring experience... I did it with the kids for many years..now the dh had a ball doing it this way too.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by mamajoan
1 Buy 1 dozen eggs for each child doing the eggs

You crack me up Joan!!! ROFLOL pun intended or not, however you like it!!

OK, shameless bump but, this is important as, Sunday is close!!

I boiled 2 dozen eggs tonight, MY WAY and, ONE (1) egg oozed a little. (of course my house stinks like you-know-what!)


piratesmate: My 'recipe' is my Mom's also. Funny thing though, a couple years ago, my Dad told my Mom to get my 'recipe' since, mine were soo easy to peel and, no gray/green matter around the yolk!!! LOL I guess she forgot.

 

[kejoda]

3.Buy DH 1 dozen of his favorite BEER

this one is cute but where is Mom's beer?

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by kejoda
3.Buy DH 1 dozen of his favorite BEER

this one is cute but where is Mom's beer?

I drank it

 

[kejoda]

Well gee thanks for sharing!

 

[mamajoan]

ah my dear silly geese! Mom.. well mom is gonna work up to a half dozen gin and tonics as dh is in Puerto Rico this Easter...

my teens STILL want to color eggs.. SO we SHALL be coloring EGGS on Saturday.. can anybody say PAAAASSSS??

Pass the gin, pass the tonic.. and alota lime!

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by kejoda
Well gee thanks for sharing!

Bec, I've got another dozen :hands Beccy one:

Joan!! How 'bout a White Zinfandel or, have you had your fill of this? OK, gin & tonic (gotta get a lime), on the way!

Raise your can & glass, my dears, to PAAS!!

 

[mamajoan]

ah the thought of Gin, Paas and egg dye on my new floors is a scary thought! I shall have to commandeer a large tarp from the garage in preparation of this annual Easter Event!

Beccy... gin?, beer? or I have a nice selection of wine...??

Anyone else ready for a wild time of Egg decorating!

Who knew that dippin eggs in vinegar and water could be this much fun!

 

[kejoda]

Beer I guess but how well does that go with ice cream?

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by mamajoan
Who knew that dippin eggs in vinegar and water could be this much fun!

Don't forget the food coloring!! bwahaha

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by kejoda
Beer I guess but how well does that go with ice cream?

I thought you ate the ice cream BEFORE dinner? BTW, I think it would be blechy!