Steaming Eggs: A Creative Cooking Method

Steaming is a great way to cook eggs, offering a more tender egg white and a creamier yolk. This method is also a more gentle way of cooking eggs, reducing the risk of cracking and deforming the egg. It is also a more consistent and thorough cooking method, ensuring that all your eggs are cooked the same. The number of ways to steam an egg is vast, from using a steamer basket to a simple saucepan, and each technique has its advantages and applications. For example, you can steam an egg in its shell, or you can whisk an egg with milk and pour the mixture into a heat-friendly bowl to steam.

How long to steam eggs

Yes, you can cook eggs in a steamer! Steaming is a great way to cook eggs, as it cooks them gently and evenly, with less risk of cracking than if you were to boil them. It also makes them easier to peel.

The amount of time you steam your eggs for depends on how you like your eggs cooked. For soft-boiled eggs, steam your eggs for around 6 minutes. If you like your eggs hard-boiled but with a still translucent and bright yolk, 10 minutes should do the trick. For cooked-through hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes.

It's worth noting that the size of the eggs, the altitude of your location, and the number of eggs you are cooking will also influence the steaming time. For example, if you are cooking 12 eggs in a pan, you may need to steam them for 17 minutes, rather than 15. If you are cooking your eggs in a single layer, they will cook faster than if they are stacked.

If you are making Chinese steamed eggs, the process is a little different. First, beat the eggs and add water, aiming for an egg-to-water ratio of around 1:2 in volume. Then, steam for 10-12 minutes over a gentle heat.

Happy steaming!

How to prepare the pot and steamer basket

To prepare the pot and steamer basket for cooking eggs, start by filling a medium or large pot or saucepan with water. The amount of water added will depend on whether you are using a steamer basket or not. If you are using a steamer basket, fill the pot with about 1 inch of water, enough to reach the bottom of the steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, simply fill the bottom of the saucepan with around 1/2 inch of water.

Next, place a steamer insert into the pot. If your steamer basket has collapsible legs, ensure that they are propped up. Bring the water to a boil over medium to high heat. You want the water to be producing steam. At this point, you can turn off the heat and gently place your eggs at the bottom of the steamer basket or directly into the pan if you are not using a steamer basket.

Cover the pot and turn the heat back on to medium-high. It is best to arrange the eggs in a single layer if possible, but you can stack them if needed—just be aware that this may require a little extra cooking time.

Now your pot and steamer basket are ready for steaming eggs!

Benefits of steaming eggs

Yes, you can cook eggs in a steamer! In fact, steaming eggs is a great way to cook them gently and evenly, resulting in several benefits.

Firstly, steaming eggs makes them incredibly easy to peel. The hot steam permeates the egg shell, creating a small pocket of air that helps to loosen the shell from the white. This means you're less likely to end up with a misshapen egg with chunks missing after peeling.

Secondly, steaming eggs gives you more control over the cooking process. By adjusting the steaming time, you can achieve the perfect level of doneness for your eggs, whether you prefer them soft-boiled or hard-boiled. Steaming also reduces the risk of overcooking, so you can say goodbye to green, discoloured eggs.

Additionally, steaming eggs can result in a more consistent and thorough cook. This is especially useful when cooking multiple eggs at once, ensuring that they all turn out the same without any undercooked or overcooked ones in the batch.

Finally, steaming eggs can lead to a more tender egg white and a creamier yolk. This is because steam cooks the eggs more gently than boiling, resulting in a softer, fluffier texture.

So, if you're looking for an easy, reliable way to cook delicious, perfectly peeled eggs, steaming is definitely the way to go!

How to peel hard-steamed eggs

Yes, you can cook eggs in a steamer! In fact, steaming eggs is a great way to make them easier to peel. Here's how to make perfect hard-steamed eggs that peel easily:

Preparing the Eggs and Steamer

Fill a saucepan with enough water to reach the bottom of your steamer basket (about 1 inch of water). If you don't have a steamer basket, you can fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water instead. Place a steamer insert into the saucepan, cover it tightly, and bring the water to a boil.

Cooking the Eggs

Once the water is boiling, carefully place your eggs directly from the fridge into the steamer insert. Make sure to use large eggs for this method. You can cook multiple eggs at once, but they will cook more evenly if they are in a single layer. Cover the pot and continue cooking for 12 to 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. The exact cooking time will depend on various factors, such as the size and temperature of your eggs, your altitude, and how soft or firm you like your yolks.

Chilling the Eggs

After steaming, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of icy cold water or run cold water directly into the pan to cover the eggs and quickly cool them down. This step is important to stop the cooking process and ensure the eggs are easy to peel. Allow the eggs to cool for at least 15 minutes before peeling.

Peeling the Eggs

Once the eggs are cool, you're ready to peel them. Gently tap the hard-boiled eggs all over to crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps get under the shell and lift it off the egg, making the peeling process easier.

Storage

Hard-steamed eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days with the shell on or up to 1 day after being peeled.

How to avoid green egg yolks

Yes, you can cook eggs in a steamer! This method is recommended for cooking hard-boiled eggs as it makes them easier to peel. However, it's important to follow the correct procedure to avoid overcooking the eggs, which can cause an unappetizing green ring to form around the yolks.

Here's how to avoid green egg yolks when cooking in a steamer:

First, it's important to understand why egg yolks turn green. This discoloration is caused by a chemical reaction between sulfur from the egg white and iron from the egg yolk. When eggs are boiled, the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which contain sulfur, break down and release hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur-containing gases. The hydrogen sulfide then reacts with the iron in the egg yolk, forming ferrous sulfide, which is green in color.

To prevent this reaction and keep your egg yolks bright and colorful, follow these simple steps:

• Use filtered or softened water: Start by using filtered or softened water to avoid high concentrations of iron in the cooking water. This will reduce the likelihood of the green ring forming.
• Don't overcook the eggs: Overcooking is the main cause of green yolks. Follow a trusted recipe for steamed eggs, such as the one provided by Serious Eats, and use a timer to ensure you don't exceed the recommended cooking time.
• Prepare an ice bath: Before you start cooking, prepare a bowl of icy cold water. As soon as your eggs are done steaming, transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and quickly cool them down.
• Chill the eggs: Make sure to chill the eggs as soon as possible after cooking. You can place them in the refrigerator or continue soaking them in the ice bath until they are thoroughly cooled.
• Peel and serve: Once the eggs are chilled, you can peel them and use them as desired. If you're making deviled eggs or any other dish where the appearance of the yolks is important, you'll be pleased to see bright yellow yolks instead of green ones!

By following these simple steps, you can easily avoid green egg yolks when cooking in a steamer. Enjoy your perfectly cooked and colorful steamed eggs!

Frequently asked questions