Boiling an egg is very simple, just like boiling water; or so they say. Most people make hard-boiled eggs by cooking them in a pot in boiling water and then letting them cool when they're ready. However, when it comes to shelling them, part of the white remains attached to the shell. You may even lose a lot of the egg white while cleaning them, which isn't very presentable in a dish. Steaming eggs is the perfect way to make sure the shell comes off easily, resulting in a perfect hard-boiled egg to enjoy the way you like it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Steam the Eggs in the Basket
Step 1. Pour a finger of water into the bottom of a saucepan
The easiest way to do this is to put the pot in the sink and turn on the cold water tap. Alternatively, you can fill a pitcher and then pour only the amount of water you need into the pot.
- Remember that the water doesn't have to cover the eggs. Just enough to create steam inside the pot.
- Calculate the depth of the water by eye, it takes more or less a finger (about 1-2 cm), but don't worry if it is slightly more or less.
- You can use a metal colander if you don't have a steamer basket, it will be able to perform the same function.
Step 2. Heat the water over high heat to quickly bring it to a boil
Put the lid on the pot and turn on the stove. Make sure the lid is the same diameter as the pot, otherwise it will let out the steam that is needed to cook the eggs.
After a few minutes, lift the lid to check if the water has started to boil and evaporate
Step 3. Place the eggs in the metal basket
You can make one egg just to eat for breakfast or as a snack, or you can cook several eggs and save them for later meals.
Don't worry if a little water gets into the basket, it won't interfere with the steaming of the eggs
Step 4. Place the basket inside the pot
Immediately afterwards, cover it again with the lid to trap the steam. Adjust the heat to medium to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.
If you are concerned about burning your hands with the hot steam, put on a pair of oven mitts before inserting the metal basket into the pot
Step 5. Set 6-12 minutes of cooking on the kitchen timer
Set 6 minutes of cooking if you want the yolk to remain soft or 12 minutes if you prefer it completely firm. Monitor the passage of time to find out how well the eggs are cooked. You should use a timer that rings clearly when it runs out to avoid forgetting the eggs in the pot.
- At this point you have to rely on the timer and avoid lifting the lid to check the cooking of the eggs.
- By uncovering the pot, you would let the steam escape, interfering with the cooking of the eggs.
Step 6. Remove the eggs from the pot to allow them to cool
Transfer them to a bowl filled with cold water. If you prefer to eat them cold, you can add a few ice cubes to the water. Placing them in cold water will stop the cooking process and prevent the yolk from becoming harder than you want.
Let the eggs cool for as long as it takes to allow you to touch them without burning your fingers
Step 7. Shell the eggs
Tap the shell gently against a hard surface, such as a kitchen counter. Put your thumb under the shell and lift it up. Just detach a first fragment of shell from the egg white and then be able to shell the egg very easily.
- If the egg is cooked properly, you should be able to peel it even using only one hand;
- The egg white should remain perfectly smooth and uncut;
- You can use cold eggs to enrich a salad or, if you prefer to eat them warm, you can accompany them with toast.
- You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Method 2 of 3: Steaming Eggs without a Basket
Step 1. Pour a finger of water into a saucepan
Use your little finger as a guide, place it on the bottom of the pot and make sure it is completely submerged in water. Put the lid on the pot and turn on the stove. Heat the water over high heat until it starts to boil.
- The good news is that you don't have to have a metal basket or strainer to steam your eggs.
- Adding the eggs when the steam forms allows you to calculate the cooking time more accurately than putting them in cold water.
- Remember to keep the pot on the stove for the entire cooking period.
Step 2. Lift the lid and place the eggs in the pot
You can cook as many eggs as you like using this method - just 1 or 12, for example, depending on the size of the pot.
The fact that the bottom of the eggs is immersed in water will not interfere with the cooking process
Step 3. Put the lid back on the pot to trap the steam produced by the boiling water
The steam will fill the pot ensuring perfect cooking of the eggs. Make sure the lid has the same diameter as the pot and check that it is positioned correctly.
At this point you can reduce the heat slightly. Set it to medium-high to prevent the water from evaporating completely before the eggs are cooked
Step 4. Set 6-12 minutes of cooking on the kitchen timer
The cooking time is the same as when using the basket: about 6 minutes if you want the yolk to stay soft or 12 minutes if you prefer it completely firm. When the timer goes off, turn off the stove.
Use a timer that produces a sound you can hear. The cell phone, for example, may not be loud enough, especially if you have turned the volume down
Step 5. Fill a bowl with cold water to cool the eggs
Then add the cooked eggs. You can add ice cubes if you want them to be frozen rather than just cold. Placing the eggs in cold water stops the cooking process.
- When the timer goes off, turn off the heat and immediately remove the eggs from the pot or they will continue to cook and become hard and chewy.
- Cooling the eggs also makes shelling them easier and allows you to serve them right away.
Method 3 of 3: Steaming Eggs in an Electric Pressure Cooker
Step 1. Pour 250ml of water into the bottom of the electric pressure cooker
It is the minimum quantity required to be able to put it into operation. The electric pressure cooker works like the traditional one, but the precision with which it uses the steam to cook the food ensures that the eggs are ready in no time.
Make sure the pot is plugged in
Step 2. Place the metal basket on the bottom of the pot
It is an accessory very similar to the classic steam cooking baskets. Then fill it with eggs. As with other steaming methods, it doesn't matter if a little water comes into contact with the eggs.
You can fill the basket with eggs, depending on how many the electric pressure cooker can hold
Step 3. Close the pot and set the cooking type
Select the steaming function using the front panel and then set the timer. Choose 3 minutes if you want the yolk to stay soft or 6 minutes if you prefer it firm.
- Consider experimenting with the various choice options to achieve the ideal cooking for your palate. For example, you may find that by setting the timer to 4 minutes or even 7, you get the perfect result for your taste.
- While you wait for the eggs to be cooked, fill a bowl with water to stop cooking. Also add ice cubes if you want to eat cold eggs, for example served as an appetizer.
Step 4. Remove the eggs from the pot
When the timer rings to warn you that the eggs are ready, let the pot release the pressure. Afterward, open it and transfer the eggs to cold water to stop the cooking process.
If you prefer, you can leave the eggs in the pot and activate the function that allows you to keep the food warm. However, keep in mind that the eggs will continue to cook; so keep this in mind if you prefer to eat them with a soft yolk
Advice
- If you want, you can use a bamboo steamer basket. Pour 1-2 cm of water into the bottom of the pot and bring it to a boil, while you wait, place the eggs in the basket. When the water boils, insert the basket into the pot and then cover it with the lid. Let the eggs cook for as long as you like, depending on how you prefer the yolk: still soft or completely hard. Soak the eggs in cold water before shelling them.
- Consider using a cast iron pot or clay pan to steam eggs. In addition to ensuring even cooking, the weight of the lid will prevent steam from escaping.
Warnings
- Remove the eggs from the pot as soon as the timer rings. Immediately transfer them to cold water to prevent them from continuing to cook; both egg whites and yolks are very delicate and may become hard and chewy.
- To avoid burning yourself, place the eggs carefully in the pot. Wear oven mitts and a T-shirt with long, tight sleeves to protect your hands and arms from steam and boiling water.
