How to boil an egg

Step 1

Place the large egg in a small pan. Cover with at least 2.5cm (1") of cold water, add a pinch of salt and place the pan on a high heat.

Step 2

When the water is almost boiling, gently stir the egg and set a kitchen timer for one of the timings below: 3 minutes for really soft boiled yolk and set white

Step 3

4 minutes for slightly set yolk and set white

Step 4

5 minutes for a medium cooked firmer yolk and white

Step 5

6 minutes for hard boiled with lightly soft yolk

Step 6

8 minutes for firmly hard boiled

Step 7

Reduce heat slightly to keep water bubbling but not fast boiling and stir the egg once more.

Step 8

Once cooking time is complete, remove the egg from the pan with slotted spoon, place into egg cup and serve immediately with hot buttered toast soldiers.