We have 5 new chicks that have just hatched at Tulipwood. We didn’t intend to have 5 new chicks, but the hens got broody and they just wouldn’t get off of their eggs and so we gave in and let them sit on them and here we are months later with 5 new chicks. We are really hoping there aren’t any roosters since we already have two, which is one too many, but given our track record they will probably all be roosters! All well. That means a lot of crowing and/or a lot of fighting in the pen is in our future. I thought I’d share How to Peel the Perfect Egg with you today, since it is something we think a lot about. When we want to make deviled eggs, for example, we make sure we have a dozen or two set aside to age before we boil them.
How to Peel the Perfect Egg:
Fresh Eggs for Omelets, Old Eggs for Boiling
Fresh eggs are good for omelets and frying, older eggs are best for boiling. The whites of fresh eggs stick to the membrane more often, so the best way to ensure your eggs aren’t too fresh and are easy to peel is to buy them and let them sit in your refrigerator for a week. Or you can test them by putting them in a bowl of water—the older ones will sit upright or tilt slightly while the fresh ones will lay on their sides.
First Attempt to Peel This Way
When you peel the eggs, crack the shells all over by rolling the egg against a hard surface. This will help loosen the membrane. Then drop them in a bowl of cold water and peel them underwater.
If It Isn’t Peeling Smoothly, Try This
If the egg still won’t peel, microwave it for 20 seconds. Let it cool for another 20 seconds before removing it from the microwave, dropping it in ice water, and trying again.
1 Comment
Hawk McCrary
Hawk McCrary: My way works perfect on new or aged eggs. I keep a bulletin board pushpin stuck in a wine cork (mine is yellow so when I drop it I can find it, ha!). Its sole purpose is to make eggs perfect to peel. Before boiling.. I carefully push the pushpin with a winding/drilling motion (i keep it sharp) into the fat bottom side of the egg. It must just penetrate the shell not the membrane. (if it penetrates the membrane it is not a big deal you will just have some minor leakage during boiling and a blemish on the egg). The hole allows just enough steam in between the shell and egg to create a clean separation. You can then hold the egg out the window of your 4×4 while driving off road and peel the egg with one hand! Learned this in Botswana as we carried hard boiled eggs into the bush like power bar snacks! Pushpin in a wine cork is in my kitchen drawer and one is in my expedition gear no matter where i travel to in remote areas. God Bless and good eating!