These Soft-Boiled Eggs are quick, simple and perfect every time!
Today’s Simple Saturday recipe for Tom’s Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs is brought to you by….none other than my wonderful husband Tom. Now, when I say “brought to you by,” I don’t mean Tom actually made them, in our kitchen, by himself. That usually does not happen at our house. I have been married to Tom for over 25 years, and I can honestly say he has probably cooked a meal in our kitchen about 5 times, with that being somewhat of an exaggeration. Tom can school me on a lot of things, but cooking is not one of them. Well, that is until soft-boiled eggs…
I did not grow up eating soft-boiled eggs. Apparently, I am one of those crazy people who does not like runny yolks. Hard boiled eggs, I’m in, runny yolks, that would be a no. So when Tom asked me to make him some soft-boiled eggs right after we were first married, I’ll admit it, I did not know how to do it. I just couldn’t get it right. They were either too runny or over cooked. After numerous flops, Tom said to call his mom because hers always turned out perfect! Exactly what a new wife wants to hear right?! Well, Tom was right, his mother’s recipe is perfect! There are lots of recipes out there for soft-boiled eggs, but this is the only recipe I use because it works every time. Why mess with perfection?
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
- toast for dunking
Instructions
- Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Make sure the water will cover the eggs by at least one inch.
- When the water starts to boil carefully add eggs, one at a time with a slotted spoon.
- Set a timer for 4 minutes 30 seconds.
- When the timer is done drain the water and quickly rinse eggs with cold water to stop them from cooking.
- Place egg in egg cup and crack and peel the shell off the top of the egg.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Lol, Boy never cooks either, but not because he can’t… mostly because I can’t not. I don’t know how to sit back and let someone else cook in MY kitchen. ;) “Dippy” eggs are one of Boys favorite things in the world, so he loves soft boiled eggs, and yours look perfect, Mary Ann! Nothing wrong with asking the MIL for some recipe help, I’ve gotten my fair share of Boys favs from mine! Cheers and happy weekend, friend!
Mary Ann gave me credit for 5 attempts at a meal??? She was being very generous. I remember 1 and it did not end well. From the day we met almost 30 years ago it was clear, the kitchen is hers! I love my eggs and I love you.
This brings back memories for me….soft boiled eggs was one of my favorite breakfasts growing up. We had a little egg time that we used. It was one of those little sand timers. We’d put the egg in and flip the timer. Perfect every time. I’ll bet it was a 4 1/2 minute time! Toast is required for the dipping! :)
Tom just loves these Kathy! He loves to dip his toast too! All I have to say is “how bout two soft-boiled eggs this morning” and his face lights up!
The soft boiled egg is part of a German breakfeast, especially on Sundays. I usually cook my eggs for 5 minutes but I will try your 4 1/2 minutes. Your photos are stunning Mary Ann, have a great weekend .
Thanks so much Gerlinde! Tom says the 4 1/2 is perfect for him! You have a wonderful weekend too!
Mmm! I love runny egg yolks. And these look cooked to perfection. I definitely need to try this method sometime, Mary! Thanks for sharing! :D
Thanks Kennedy! Hope you enjoy! Have a great weekend!
Perfect runny eggs! I love them with toast “soldiers” :) As for my husband, he’s a decent enough cook, but has a serious lack of multi-tasking skills, so he can only cook one part of the meal at a time (ie: you will only have meat on your plate :)
I would be happy with just the meat! Tom is better going to the Fresh Market and buying a prepared meal and organizing it on the plate! That’s pretty much his expertise in the kitchen!
I still have not tried soft boiled eggs in eggs cups! Maybe I have been living in Alaska, too long. We eat plenty of soft poached eggs though. I just don’t know if it would be worth going out and buying eggs cups and than finding a place to store them…
Wow! You’re all the way from Alaska? Alaska is definitely on my bucket list! Hope I get there one day! My husband Tom has always eaten them in an egg cup, but my Dad used to eat them in a small bowl. Thanks for following Marcia!
Love the runny yolks in these soft boiled eggs and I’m with you, why mess with perfection?! My husband loves to cook breakfast, but lunch and dinner he won’t touch. And frankly, that’s good news for all of us ;-)
Ha! Still trying to get Tom to work on breakfast so maybe once in a blue moon I could get breakfast in bed! Mother’s Day will be here before we know it! I can only hope right?
Isn’t it funny how something so simple is sometime hard to master, Mary Ann. Glad you got it all sorted out with a little help from Tom’s mom. I would have never thought to run cold water over the eggs to stop the cooking.
It took me a while, but now I’ve got it totally on point!
I am totally making these for my husband- he loves a runny yolk! I’m with you on the yolk and don’t like it runny at all!! I feel like I’m the only one- I’m glad to hear we have that in common :) These do look perfect for my yolk-loving husband though.
Mine too Jessica!
Mmmmm sweet, runny egg perfection! Sharing this today!
Thanks Lauren!