To achieve optimum results make sure you're using eggs that have been in the refrigerator for a week or so. Fresh eggs are difficult to peel after they've been hard-boiled. Here's the Equipment You'll Need: Kitchen Stove Cooker or Hot Plate Medium Saucepan with a Tightly Fitted Lid Egg Timer Slotted Spoon or Tongs Bowl Ingredients for Perfectly Hard-Boiled Eggs: 6 Large Eggs (that have been refrigerated) 4-6 Cups of Cool Water 2-4 Cups of Ice Cubes After you've gathered all your ingredients, you'll need to decide how hard you want your eggs cooked. The next section will give you a guideline to help you prepare your eggs just the way you love them!

This chart will help you determine how long to cook your hard-boiled eggs. Use the table to find how to cook your eggs perfectly, so they suit your palate whether you prefer soft, creamy eggs or firm boiled eggs with a little Paprika on top. Soft-Boiled Eggs with Velvety Yolks: Four Minutes. Lightly Boiled Eggs with Soft Yolks: Five Minutes. Firm Egg Whites with Custard like Yolks: Six Minutes. Stiff Egg Whites with Creamy Yolks: Seven Minutes. Firm Egg Whites with Lush, Solid Yolks: Eight Minutes. Very Hard Egg Whites with Set, Firm Yolks: Nine Minutes.

Once you've gathered all your tools and ingredients, it's time to begin cooking your eggs. There are a few ways to hard-cook eggs, but let's focus on the boiling method before discussing the other options. Carefully, place eight large eggs in the saucepan. It is important to put the eggs in the pan first before adding the water. Eggs are fragile, and it's really easy to crack them if you put them in after you add the water. Put the pan on a burner on high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Once the eggs have reached a boil, remove the pan from the heat source and cover with a lid. This method prevents the egg yolks from turning green but requires the eggs to remain in hot water for 14-17 minutes. Small eggs will take 14 minutes, and large eggs will need 17 minutes to reach a firm consistency. Slightly crack each egg before using the tongs or slotted spoon to place the eggs in the ice water. Let them sit for an hour before peeling. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

If you're in a rush, or really hungry follow these steps for a quick meal. Place the eggs in the saucepan. Pour about an inch of cool water over the eggs. Place the lid on the pan and bring the eggs to a rolling boil. When the eggs begin to boil use the chart to determine how you prefer your eggs. Then set the timer for the corresponding length of time. Place the eggs in ice water for five to ten minutes and then peel the eggs under running water.

Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of protein and are a perfect breakfast for someone who is trying to lose weight. Meals high in protein help keep you feeling full longer than other nutrition sources. Nutrition Facts Calories: 78 Total Fat: 5 grams Saturated Fat: 2 grams Monounsaturated Fat: 2 grams Trans Fats: 0 grams Cholesterol: 212 milligrams Sodium: 62 milligrams Potassium 63 milligrams Total Carbohydrates: 1 gram Dietary Fiber: 0 grams Sugars: 1 gram Protein: 6 grams Vitamin A: 6% Vitamin C: 0% Calcium: 2% Iron: 3% All of these nutritional values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

There are times when you simply don't have enough room on your stove-top cooker to get everything prepared and ready on time. If you're making a big holiday meal and find yourself short of a burner to hard-boil eggs take to the oven to prepare your hard-cooked eggs. Here's how to hard-cook eggs in the oven. You'll need a muffin tin and absolutely, zero water. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, if your oven runs hot reduce the heat to 300-325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the eggs for 30 minutes. Don't worry if your eggs have brown spots. These spots are harmless, and the eggs are completely edible. Place the cooked eggs in a bowl with ice and water and let them sit for 10 minutes before peeling them.

For those people who are lucky enough to raise chickens and have access to fresh eggs, this cooking option is best for you. Hard-boiling fresh eggs can result in a lot of waste due to the difficulty in peeling the eggs. However, a pressure cooker is the chicken farmer's best friend when it comes to a hard-cooked egg. The pressure cooker won't save you a whole lot of time, but it will make the eggs much easier to peel. You'll need a pressure cooker, two cups of cool water, eight, large eggs, and four cups of ice water. Place the eggs in the pressure cooker first, then add the two cups of cool water. Allow the eggs to cook on low pressure for six minutes. Afterward, let the eggs cool for five minutes. Place the eggs in ice water for 10 minutes and then peel under cool, running water.

Hard-cooked eggs are an easy way to ensure you and your family have access to nutritious, simple meals and snacks. Hard-boiled eggs are versatile and add a creamy element to dressings, sandwiches, and salads. Your perfectly hard-cooked egg will stay edible for up to a week in the refrigerator.