Cooking the perfect soft-boiled egg requires careful timing to achieve that ideal runny yolk with set whites. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you master it:

Ingredients:

• Eggs (as many as you like)
• Water
• Salt (optional, for seasoning)

Instructions:

1. Boil the water:

Fill a small to medium-sized saucepan with enough water to cover the eggs by about an inch. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat.

2. Prepare the eggs:

While the water is heating up, take the eggs out of the fridge. Letting them warm up slightly (about 5-10 minutes) helps prevent cracking when they hit the boiling water.

3. Lower the eggs gently:

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat slightly to a simmer. Carefully lower the eggs into the water using a spoon or ladle to avoid cracking.

4. Set the timer:

• For ¨runny yolks and soft whites¨, boil for 4 to 4½ minutes.
• For “slightly firmer whites but still runny yolks”, boil for 5 to 6 minutes.

5. Cool the eggs:

Once the time is up, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath (a bowl of cold water with ice) for about 1 minute to stop the cooking process. This helps peel the eggs more easily as well.

6. Peel and serve:

Gently tap the eggs on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel under running water if needed. Serve the soft-boiled eggs with salt, pepper, or any seasoning of your choice.

Tips:

• If you like a more precise method, start the eggs in cold water and time them for 2 minutes once the water starts boiling for a similar effect.
• Soft-boiled eggs are great served on toast, over salads, or in ramen bowls.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg!