How to Make the Perfect Boiled Egg Every Time

Looking for single-serving protein bites? No need to rely on pre-packaged bars or protein-powder energy balls. Nature already has what you need: eggs. And thank you, chickens of the world, for giving us this versatile superfood. Not only do they bind together delicious baked goods and create all kinds of breakfast dishes (Omelets! Fritattas! Stratas, oh my!), but they can also be whipped into meringues or creamy condiments.

But why make things so complicated when the simple, humble boiled egg is already a thing of beauty? Hard-boiled, it’s the perfect protein on-the-go snack. Soft-boiled, it can convert an English muffin into a decadent morning meal with the runny yolk acting as a built-in "special sauce."

But here’s the issue: It’s super easy to miscalculate the cooking time on boiled eggs. (If only those shells came with a preview window!). And it’s almost tragic to break into an egg hoping the yolk will be appropriately runny, only to find it entirely solid—or vice versa. Never fear, we have the ultimate guide to perfectly boiling your eggs every time, every way.

The Technique

Step one: Place the eggs in a pot with cold water. Make sure there’s an inch of water above the eggs and don’t crowd too many in the pot. (Tip: Add vinegar to the water so eggshells are easier to peel post-boil.)

Step two: Place the pot on the stovetop over high heat.

Step three: When the water starts lightly boiling around the eggs, cover the pot and move it to a burner that’s off or onto a potholder on the countertop.

Step four: On your mark... Get set... Hit the timer! See below for eggs perfectly boiled to your liking.

The Timing

Three minutes: Whites are soft and slightly gloopy. Yolks are completely liquid.

Four minutes: Whites are set but soft and floppy. Yolks are still runny but a little more solid.

Six minutes: Whites are soft but firm. Yolks are smooth and pudding-like.

10 minutes: Whites and yolks are totally firm, but yolks are still creamy.

15 minutes: A completely solid, hard-boiled egg.

Post-boil, dunk these suckers in an ice-water bath for a minute. Tap ‘em on the counter to gently crack and peel them open. Voilà! Your perfect egg!

A Question of Freshness
Now, eggs are only delicious if they’re fresh. (There’s a reason rotten eggs are the stuff of playground taunts.) If you’re not sure whether your eggs are ready for eating or past their prime, dunk them in a glass bowl filled with water and compare them to this handy visual.

On the bottom of the bowl: 100-percent fresh and at peak flavor.

One corner lifted: A week or so old. Entirely edible!

Standing on a point: A couple weeks old. Eat stat.

Floating at the top: Super old! Do not eat!

Banana Bread Donuts with Browned Butter Caramel Glaze

These donuts are so simple. So delicious. I will be the first to say that when it comes to donuts, I can be a donut purist: I want a FRIED yeasted or cake donut. I don’t discriminate between the two because sometimes I’m in the mood for one over the other.

But let’s talk about baked donuts. I don’t necessarily think they make up for fried donuts. They really don’t. However! They deserve a spot among all the other desserts. They are simple, taste wonderful, are easily customizable. And my favorite part: I’m not beholden to a pot of hot oil! Because first, I don’t necessarily have time to fry all sorts of things right now. More importantly, I have a little munchkin at my feet. So all the oil freaks me out.

If you’ve never tried making baked donuts, I like to almost say it’s as if you were making muffins. First, the texture is similar! Second, you mix wet into dry, pour the batter into the mold, and bake for around 15 minutes.

All that’s left after that is to whip up your glaze and, well, good luck trying to not eat that with a spoon.

It’s super addictive.

Recipe >> Banana Bread Donuts with Browned Butter Caramel Glaze @ averiecooks.com

How to make perfect, fluffy scrambled eggs

Everybody knows how to scramble eggs, you might think. True, anybody can scramble eggs, but making a fluffy, moist scramble is a bit of an art form. I really loathe overcooked, rubbery or browned eggs. So many diners and delis serve them this way, which means I rarely go out for breakfast anymore. Why should I, when it’s perfectly easy (and way less expensive) to make tasty eggs at home? Here’s how!

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

I made this for a church picnic and for a Friday night family night fruit salad. Along with our Ravioli Lasagna. It was a HUGE hit. it was so simple and fast to make. even my special needs son was able to get a thrill in helping me make this. Everyone at church was asking for this recipe.

It allowed for me to keep with the fresh fruits we needed for nutrition but also a fun part at the the same time. Great and amazing compromise favorite. This will definitely be a make again favorite in my house and a recipe I will pass on to my daughter in her homemade cookbook binder we are making her for her soon graduation.

Recipe >> Strawberry Cheesecake Salad @ cakescottage.com

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are absolutely irresistible! They’re soft, chewy, and full of sweet berries and melty chocolate chips. What’s not to love?? Leftovers will stay fresh for at least four days if stored in an airtight container on the counter or a week if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator—if they last that long!

Recipe >> Raspberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies  @ amyshealthybaking.com

Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana, Yogurt Pops

Healthy enough for breakfast and sweet enough for dessert! These Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana Yogurt Pops are sure to please both kids and adults alike! The popsicles are a simple combination of milk, I used almond milk, plain non-fat Greek yogurt, peanut butter, bananas, unsweetened cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla

Recipe >> Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana, Yogurt Pops @ reciperunner.com

What Will Happen If You Drink Lemon Water For 2 Weeks

We recommend replacing your morning coffee with lemon water for at least 2 weeks. I am sure you’ll see lot of positive benefits to your energy, mood and health. Here is why:

Studies indicate that in cases where toxins have built up in the body, the lemon juice and peel have cleansing properties. Lemons are high in Vitamin C which is essential for normal growth and development. A single lemon contains around 30-40 mg of Vitamin C .

Vitamin C has been studied extensively and shown to have a myriad of health benefits from protecting against prenatal problems to cardiovascular disease, eye diseases, skin wrinkles, and immune system deficiencies. It acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. And that is not all.

Below we are going to show you some more healthy properties of lemon water:

Improves Digestion

Many people are beginning to discover that their digestion problems have to do with the health of their stomach. Feeding your body the right things over time builds your bodies ability to process foods better, much like building a muscle.

It is believed the citrus flavonoids in lemon water support the hydrochloric acid in the stomach in breaking down food. Citrus flavonoids act as a great digestive tonic, with appetite suppressing abilities. It has also been shown to calm an upset stomach or mild indigestion. This has to do with the hydrochloric acid in your stomach that starts the process of breaking down your food. Citrus flavonoids are the primary cause of improved digestion when drinking warm lemon water.

They aid in the assimilation of food, help prevent fatty liver, decrease chances of cardiovascular disease, fat-lowering, and reduced insulin sensitivity

Citrus flavonoids act as a great digestive tonic, with appetite suppressing abilities . It has also been shown to calm an upset stomach or mild indigestion. This has to do with the hydrochloric acid in your stomach that starts the process of breaking down your food.
Detox and Cleanse

Studies indicate that using lemon water, especially after meals may help you lower the amount of toxins in your body.

Toxins come into our systems through various sources: from the air we breathe to some of the foods we eat. The amount of urine is increased when drinking lemon water, however, lemon water brings with it the primary compound known as Citrate.

This is a naturally-occurring inhibitor of toxins which can build up in the form of crystals in the body. The Citric acid enhances your body’s ability to naturally flush out these unwanted toxins. The main premise behind lemon water as a detox revolves around its ability to enhance your bodies enzyme function and stimulate the liver. Basically your liver acts as your body’s filtration system, and lemon water enhances its ability to filter unwanted junk.

Alkalize process

Alkalinity is a process of neutralizing acid in the body, that has certain acids that can build up causing negative side effects such as acid reflux, upset stomach and acidosis.

If you identify a need to alkalize, then get some home pH strips that will allow you to stay within the recommend ranges. An ideal range to fall between is 4.6-8.0 and can be tested with pH strips using saliva or urine

Most people are far to acidic and this causes a whole range of negative side effects.

Lemon water is a safe and effective way to manage your pH levels and achieving healthy alkalinity may benefit in bone health, reduced muscle wasting, decrease chances of hypertension and strokes, improved cardiovascular health, and improved memory.


Appetite Suppressant & Weight Loss

One of the studies that does exist was not a human trial but did show significantly reduced weight gain when a diet high in fat was being consumed. Most people whether they want to admit it or not fall in the high fat diet category.

Pectin and polyphenols are the main substances found in lemons that have more research available showing weight loss and appetite suppressing qualities. Pectin gives a feeling a fullness much like other soluble dietary fibers, that may help reduced caloric intake.

For some people simply staving off hunger and cravings can allow for long term weight loss. If you find yourself struggling with always being hungry this is worth looking at. Everybody will respond differently to lemon water, which is why we recommend adding this to your diet without any other major changes to isolate the effects.