The Perfect Recipe for Hard Boiled Eggs – 0 WW Freestyle SmartPoints

Hard-boiled eggs, with Zero SmartPoints on the WW Freestyle Program, can be a Weight Watcher’s best friend, perfect for a tasty, healthy breakfast, lunch or snack.

I like to have a bowl of them ready and waiting in the fridge when hunger strikes.

Hard boiled eggs seem so simple and they are, but there are a few things you need to know about how to hard boil an egg if you want them to turn out perfectly (without that unattractive green ring) every time.

First, there are several approaches for how to hard boil an egg and they all work, with varying degrees of success.

I’m always on the lookout for the best recipe or cooking technique, which is:

• As streamlined as possible
• Tastes great
• Delivers consistent results

The biggest issue is exactly how long do you cook hard boiled eggs so they are fully cooked yet don’t have that ugly gray/green ring around the yolk?

After a bit of research I’ve finally found the recipe for perfect hard boiled eggs that works best for me and think it will work well for you too.
 

The Perfect Recipe for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Decide how many eggs you want to cook and then choose a pan that allows them to lay in one layer on the bottom of the pan.

Place the eggs in the pan and then fill the pan with enough water to cover them by 1 inch. Place the pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the water is really bubbling and steaming, turn off the heat and cover the pan. Let them sit in the hot water for 12 minutes to finish cooking. (Set a timer so you don’t forget.)

After 12 minutes, pour off the hot water by tipping the pan into the sink. Then run cold water over the eggs for several seconds. When they are cool enough to handle transfer them to a bowl and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them or use them in your favorite recipe.

Rachael Ray Ray shows you how in this helpful video…

Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

Very fresh eggs can be difficult to peel because they stick steadfastly to the shell. Eggs that are a little older and less fresh are easier to peel so it is best to buy your eggs ahead and let them sit in the refrigerator for a week or more before hard boiling them, especially when making deviled eggs, where appearance counts.

To peel hard boiled eggs, when the eggs are cool enough to handle, tap against the counter or sink to crack the shell all over and then gently peel it off, beginning at the end with the air pocket.  I find that it is sometimes easier to peel the shell when I do it under running water.

*Here’s a great video showing an easy way to “peel” hard boiled eggs:

But does it work in everyday real life for those of us who are not as successful and amazing as Tim? Well, it didn’t for me.

I used the teaspoon of baking soda, cooked and cooled the eggs and removed the ends of the shells. Then I huffed and puffed as hard as I could and nothing! So, it’s back to traditional peeling for me.

And just for science, I timed how long it took. I was able to peel 6 eggs in less than 5 minutes, a worthwhile investment of time if you ask me 🙂

How Long Can Your Keep Hard Boiled Eggs?

Hard boiled egg storage is really pretty easy. They keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. I place them in a bowl lined with a paper towel set in the refrigerator.

How to Enjoy Hard Boiled Eggs?

Hard boiled eggs, are a great high protein snack any time of day. Just peel, sprinkle with salt, and enjoy. You also can use them to make deviled eggs, egg salad, or add them to homemade potato salad.

Sources: Learning to Cook with Marion Cunningham, The New Basics Cookbook, The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition from the Editors of Cooks Illustrated.

Need a Bunch of Hard Boiled Eggs?

Here’s a unique tip for making lots of hard boiled eggs at once from one of my favorite sites, TipNut.

Learn how easy it is to make InstantPot Boiled Eggs…

Great Ways to Use Hard Boiled Eggs…

• Deviled Egg Recipes
• Egg Salad Recipe
• Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe
• Ina Garten’s Egg Salad Tartines (Open Face Sandwiches)