Thursday, July 8, 2010

Boiled Eggs vs. Steamed Eggs

Did you know…
if you steam (instead of boil) eggs in their shells  for about 15  minutes and then let them sit in the pot and cool before peeling, the shells almost always slip off like butter?
I use a Revere Ware steamer pot which is similar to a double boiler except the top pot has holes in it.   However, any method you use to steam vegetables will work for steaming eggs. 

IMG_1810

Since my mom taught me this trick years ago, I rarely have to fight those teeny tiny little bits of shell that so often stick to the eggs, nor do I have to throw away part of the eggs because the shell is impossibly stuck to them  like glue. 
You’ve had that happen, right?
I have heard many reasons why the shells stick, the most common being the eggs are too fresh.  But what is considered “too fresh?” 
I’ve also heard (and tried) many tricks to keep the shells from sticking such as adding salt or vinegar to the water. 
Overall, steaming the eggs seems to produce the best and most consistent results for me. 
Try it and let me know if it works for you.

10 comments:

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Hi Shari - I'm going to give this a try. I'm one of the ones who uses older eggs for hard boiling - older like close to the sell by date or more (they last for weeks past the sell by date).

The white of an egg is mostly water and the shell is very porous. The water content of the white slowly evaporates over time, leaving an airpocket in the shell. When the white cooks, it contracts, allowing the air pocket to surround the solidified protein which would much rather stick to itself than the shell. That's my very unofficial science lesson for the day ;).

My 100% guaranteed method is to use older eggs, cover with about an 1nch of cold water, bring to a boil, immediately turn off heat, cover and let rest 10 minutes for large eggs (12 for x-lg). Run under cold water to cool, peel. Each and every one will peel with ease - no stuck shells at all, and no green or black ring around my yolks either.

:)
ButterYum
PS - I can tell from your photo that your eggs were of the "older" persuasion. Big air pockets.

Maureen said...

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Oh girl, I had to laugh at this.... who would of thought this for a post.... but YOu! Actually I hate when the egg sticks to the shell, many times I end of throwing away most of it.

Shari, thanks for visiting me.... I enjoyed reading your comment and RMS was quite awhile ago wasn't it. YOu know a lot of bloggers started from RMS. Hey do you ever go back and check things out? My problem was it took to long to get anywhere on it.

Well it certainly was good hearing from you-

Hugs*

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh my gooooodness! I LOVE a great tip and this is one I'm going to use. I have struggled a million times (well, that could possibly be an overstatement) with shells. Can't wait to give this one a whirl.

Have a great weekend Shari!

Hugs,
Spencer

sweetjeanette said...

ok I am totally going to have to try this! I mutilate so many eggs otherwise!!! Thanks for the tip. Nice to see another "Florida girl" !

Cindy said...

Great idea, I'll try it next time!
Hugs, Cindy S

BECKY said...

Hi Shari! I read a comment you left on Spencer's blog about using Clorox clean-up on your counters, and had to pop by!! I use it too, and still haven't learned that lesson. Or even if I don't lean on the counter, I still somehow end up with a bleach mark somewhere!!! I have ruined sooo many shirts!!!

I also see that you are a friendly Floridian as am I! I was born here, raised here, and have lived here all but about 10 of my 52 years. We are only 25 minutes from Daytona Beach. I am thinking seriously about hosting a Central Florida Bloggers lunch somewhere in the Orlando area in the fall.
If you'd be interested in joining in I'll let you know when it is, ok?
Nice to meet you gal!!
Have a blessed week!
Becky

Bring Pretty Back said...

Your Mother is a genious! I will try this with eggs this week!
Thank you for the tip!!!
Thanmk you so much for your comment on my blog! How I love love love a little home! I am so happy for you that you bought a 30 acre horse farm... how romantic!!! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!
Have a pretty night!
Kristin

Elizabeth and Gary said...

HI Shari,
Good idea! I will have to try that.
You have been a busy girl. I love your lamp! the green is so pretty, I bet when the light is on its really lovely. I have enjoyed catching up with your today.
Have a sweet day, hugs~Elizabeth

Jennifer Grenko said...

Hi Shari, Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love to make deviled eggs and have to do so next weekend. I will try steaming the eggs. Peeling them can be such a headache, especially if you want to boil more than a dozen. Thanks for the tip!