Soft or Hard: The Incredible (most of the time) Edible Egg

This is a quick and easy way to have a low fat breakfast or a quick snack. Or if you're like me, this is how you start Easter Eggs.

A friend of mine once told me she boiled two eggs for 16 minutes because she wasn't sure if they were cooked all the way through. Those eggs could survive a nuclear war! Eggs are not fickle creatures. They only need a few minutes at a rolling boil to be happy.

Step 1: Get your eggs and your pot.

They can be any kind you like. I usually get the cage free organic humane eggs but I'm a little eco-animal-obsessed here. One, two or three, it doesn't really matter as long as your pot is big enough to fit them comfortably and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and turn the heat up to high. If during the rolling boil the water threatens to spill over lower the temp a bit to medium high.

Step 2: Get your sides ready.

Weather you like buttered toast or some fruit with your breakfast, now is a good time to get that ready. Fill the kettle or coffee pot and turn that on when your eggs start to rattle around. Take care of the toast a bit later.

Step 3: Shake, rattle and roll.

Ok, after achieving a rolling boil, set your timer* (or watch the clock) for about 4 minutes for a soft boiled egg or 6 minutes or more for a hard boiled egg. Soft boiled means the yolk is still liquid and hard boiled means its solid all the way through. While timing the eggs, put the toast on. When your eggs are done, take them off the heat and drain the water in the sink. If the eggs fall out and crack don't sweat it, you need to break them open anyway.

Plate the eggs, grab the salt, sides and tea or coffee and that's breakfast done! You can also boil up a batch of these little guys and add them to a salad or make them into egg salad. I'll get you that recipe later.

*The link is to a picture of an egg timer. It times exactly three minutes and should be set to go when the rolling boil takes place. Since the advent of the microwave, these little objects are more of a novelty than a necessity. However sometimes low tech is better.