The humble hard-boiled egg is a versatile culinary staple that can elevate even the simplest of dishes. Whether sliced and added as a topping to fancy toast or incorporated into a hearty salad, the hard-boiled egg’s understated elegance shines through.
For those seeking a more indulgent approach, the classic deviled egg transforms this basic ingredient into a sophisticated finger food, perfect for entertaining. And of course, the hard-boiled egg can be enjoyed in its most basic form, with a sprinkle of salt and pepper or a dash of Tabasco for a satisfying snack.
While the preparation of hard-boiled eggs is relatively straightforward, the art of peeling them can be a true challenge. Many home cooks have encountered the frustration of stubborn shells that cling tenaciously to the egg white, making the process of revealing the smooth, golden yolk a delicate and sometimes arduous task.
Once they’ve cooled down and the peeling begins, it can get quite messy if not downright difficult. The shells end up either getting stuck or just breaking up into a million different little pieces. But a simple trick shared by Lifehacker can make peeling boiled eggs less of a headache.
Jacques Pépin, a renowned French chef, cookbook author, and television personality, is the one who has come up with a pretty simple way of peeling hard-boiled eggs. The chef has shared with Lifehacker that in order to get the perfect peel to your eggs, what you should do is poke a small hole in the wide side of the eggshell before placing it in the boiling water.
This means that the egg will become easier to peel since the air pocket inside the egg would’ve been released. Of course, he warns that you should use something small suck as a pin or thumb tack to make the hole without breaking the shell.
Not only does this solve the issues of peeling the eggs once they’re finished cooking, but it can also solve some issues associated with aesthetics. Rather than coming out all lumpy or bumpy, the released air means that the egg will come out perfectly shaped with rounded ends instead of flat ones.
Of course, if you don’t have a pin or thumbtack on hand to try this hack, there are other ways of getting the eggshells to peel off easily. For example, if you dip them into an ice bath after boiling, or if you peel them under cold water it should make everything easier.
The humble hard-boiled egg may seem like a basic ingredient, but with a few simple tricks and techniques, it can be elevated to gourmet greatness. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of deviled eggs for a party or simply enjoying a perfectly peeled egg as a snack, the versatility and simplicity of this culinary staple make it a true kitchen essential.
