The cooking time for boiling eggs depends on how you like your eggs cooked. Here’s a simple guide for different levels of doneness:
### Boiling Eggs
1. **Soft-Boiled Eggs**:
- **Runny yolk**: Boil for **4 to 5 minutes**.
- **Slightly firmer yolk**: Boil for **6 to 7 minutes**.
2. **Medium-Boiled Eggs**:
- For a slightly firmer yolk: Boil for **8 to 9 minutes**.
3. **Hard-Boiled Eggs**:
- For fully cooked yolk: Boil for **10 to 12 minutes**.
### Steps to Boil Eggs
1. **Place Eggs in a Pot**: Arrange eggs in a single layer in a saucepan or pot.
2. **Add Water**: Cover the eggs with cold water, about an inch above the eggs.
3. **Bring to a Boil**: Heat the pot on high until the water reaches a rolling boil.
4. **Turn Off Heat**: Once boiling, turn off the heat (if using the stove method) and cover the pot with a lid.
5. **Set a Timer**: Depending on your desired doneness, set a timer for the appropriate time (as listed above).
6. **Prepare an Ice Bath**: Fill a bowl with ice and water to cool the eggs quickly after boiling.
7. **Cool the Eggs**: Once the timer goes off, transfer the eggs to the ice bath for about 5 to 10 minutes to stop the cooking process.
### Tips
- **Older Eggs Peel Easier**: If you're hard-boiling eggs to peel them, using slightly older eggs can make peeling easier than using fresh eggs.
- **Cracking**: If you have trouble with peeling, try cracking the eggs gently before placing them in the ice bath.
Feel free to adjust the cooking time slightly based on your preferences and the size of the eggs!