How to Hard-Boil Eggs: STEAM THEM & Karen’s Favorite Deviled Eggs
Apr 13, 2017, Updated Dec 13, 2024
Yes, you have been making hard boiled eggs all wrong!
In this single technique, you will steam them – SO EASY TO PEEL!!
Try this awesome Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Purple Scallions and a Crisp Cheese Frico
Yes, you have been making hard boiled eggs all wrong!
Try this single technique today – steam them – SO EASY TO PEEL!!
All sources, on line and in books instruct you to boil your eggs – to cover them by 1 ” of water.
NOT the best method… read on.
I’ve been joyfully cooking for over 30 years, and yes, I have struggled to peel an egg!
Many will instruct you to use “older” eggs.. keep them for 7 to 10 days, they will be easier to peel.
Well, while I do agree, (and do this) I still was struggling.
Very fresh eggs can be difficult to peel. The egg white also shrinks as the egg ages, allowing more air between the egg and the shell.
Then the AH-HA moment: I tested STEAMING them – Wa-lah:: the shells just slipped off!!
I hope this brings many a better, more efficient way to peel an egg!
Why is there sometimes a green ring around the egg yolk?
This results from a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk. It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature.
Properly steaming and cooling solves this problem ~ do not overcook the eggs.
Deviled Eggs:
There are so many flavors of which to enrich the egg yolks, and pipe them into the egg white halves. They are so easy to make, and so many times, we use our favorite pantry items.
I have added purple scallions, which are just hitting markets in early spring and grainy mustard (they look like little caviar pearls.) Try making these baked cheese fricos, they are lacy and crispy – and I add some thyme leaves for a zip of extra flavor. I love their baked flavor on the eggs – cut them into quarters or halves.
I hope I have made the task of peeling eggs easier for you!
Now, go ahead and make a batch of delicious and tasty deviled eggs!
Enjoy,
Karen
How to Hard-Boil Eggs: Best Way Is To Steam Them!
Equipment
- 1 2 quart pot with lid
- 1 steamer basket
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, I use pasture raised*
Instructions
To Steam:
- Set a steamer basket in a large pot. Add cool water – just until it reaches the top of the steamer. Add 6 large eggs* Cover and bring to a boil – set timer for 12 minutes when come to a boil and – turn heat down slightly (a strong simmer); the water will still be boiling, but not at full force. Steam eggs for 10 – 11 minutes if you desire a softer egg yolk.
- After 12 minutes, drain out the hot water, run cool water over eggs to stop them from cooking further. Add them to a bowl of cold water until fully cooled, may add some ice cubes.Place them in the refrigerator in their shells if not peeling immediately.
Peeling the Eggs:
- Gently tap egg on countertop until shell is finely crackled all over. Starting peeling at large end (there is an air pocket there!), holding egg under cold running water to help ease the shell off. Should easily slip off.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Deviled Eggs with Purple Scallions and Crisp Cheese Frico
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, I use pasture raised*
- 1 tablespoon scallions , minced
- 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch smoked hot paprika, more for sprinkling at the end
- 1 pinch sea salt, try Himalayan
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, one without "natural flavorings"
- 6 tablespoons aged cheddar cheese, grated, or aged gouda
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, (more for garnish)
- 12 thin slices purple scallions, 1/8″ inch (or green scallion if unavailable)
- 6 whole Frico Cheese Crisps, (see recipe)
Instructions
- Make – hard boiled eggs, see recipe: How to Hard-Boil Eggs: Best Way Is To Steam Them! The Shells Will Just Slip Off!!
- Cut the hard boiled eggs in half and remove the yolks from the egg halves, and place them in a small bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork until fine and crumbly. Mix in the scallions, grainy mustard, lime juice, smoked paprika, salt and mayonnaise.
- Place the mixture in a pastry bag and pipe the filling into each egg white half. Alternately, mound the filling neatly into the egg white halves.Garnish each egg with a thin slices of purple scallion, a few fresh thyme leaves and Frico Cheese Crisps.
Frico Cheese Crisps:
- Make 6 Frico Cheese Crisps with Thyme (lacy cheese crisps): Can do as the Eggs steam. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper (or a silicone baking sheet.) Coarsely grate Parmesan Reggiano cheese, place 6 -1 T. mounds on the parchment, leave 2" space between them. Top with the thyme leaves.
- Bake in the oven until crisp, spread and just lightly golden, about 5 – 7 minutes. Remove them to a wire rack and cool. Cut the Frico into halves or quarters, and garnish the deviled eggs.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
