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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Soft boiled egg

63 replies

mrsruffallo · 14/11/2011 12:25

AIBU for being annoyed that I have just spent a weekend with friends who couldn't for the life of them make me a soft boiled egg for breakfast. One day it wa hard boiled, the next raw.
They argued that it was something that was hard to get right.

OP posts:

HugosGoatee · 14/11/2011 13:16

WTF is an egg boiler?!

I thought my MiL had every kitchen contraption known to man.

GeraldineAubergine · 14/11/2011 13:21

It really rusts my kettle when I stay at my friends and the fois gras is not served at 36.7 degrees Celsius and the larks tongues are in agar and not aspic. Thougtless, common bastards. So Yanbu.

Original poster

mrsruffallo · 14/11/2011 13:21

I did think about sending them some egg timers, or pehps Delia's How To Cook but I think that might not be appreciated. It all became a little embarassing, awkward silences upon egg opening.
I did send them a thank you card, and arrived with gifts for all 4 of their children, I ws just a lttle surprised that eggs ould be so difficult!

OP posts:

Original poster

mrsruffallo · 14/11/2011 13:22

Well, now you know misspenteuth. We will be seeing you for Christmas!

OP posts:

LordAlconleighsEntrenchingTool · 14/11/2011 13:28

I think if I had spent the weekend fuming over cooking boiled eggs and separating eggs for an omelette I would respond by buying Delia Smith's book in your cranium, tbh.

I can't cook soft boiled eggs, tbh, I don't think I have cooked them for over 10 years.

You would have had a bacon sandwich at my gaff, no bloody choices here.

itstooearly · 14/11/2011 13:33

I have just bought an egg boiler after reading this thread , although a pretty good cook i have never been able to get a soft boiled egg just right. Amazon have loads, i never knew they existed.

Original poster

mrsruffallo · 14/11/2011 13:39

I think you can buy one that poaches too, itstooearly. I prefer the old 'whirlpool' method myself, but may be of interest to you.

OP posts:

OTheHugeMjanatee · 14/11/2011 13:55

Leave the bastards.

Lizcat · 14/11/2011 14:00

I can cook you a wonderful souffle, but can not cook a soft boiled egg even Delia can't help. Who knows what I do wrong?
My DH who struggles to even find the kitchen can cook them perfectly every single time.

AnotherEmptyNest · 14/11/2011 15:58

My eggs are always perfect. Except when my mother wanted a scrambled egg. My DlateH made her scrambled egg once and it wasn't hard enough so had to go into the microwave and she wouldn't eat his omelettes either.

wildfig · 14/11/2011 16:32

I love my egg boiler (although it's really an egg steamer, I suppose). I can't soft boil an egg to save my life, but now I have perfectly boiled eggs at least once a week - the only kitchen gadget not gathering dust in the drawer.

Makes a nice weekend stay present too.

As usual, Lakeland has one but the John Lewis one was better

StealthPenguin · 14/11/2011 18:14

I have either one or two soft-boiled eggs for breakfast almost every morning. I LOVE them!

The trick is to have the eggs at room temperature before trying to boil.
You then cook them for 2min 30 (small egg), 3min 15 (medium egg) or 4min (large egg). You then put it in the eggcup and take the top off immediately, with an eggtopper if you have one. I do - they are amazing!!

LadyBeagleEyes · 14/11/2011 18:20

Ah, but do you put them straight into boiling water or into cold water when your judging the time?
I always make them too hard.
Goes to google egg boilers,

picnicbasketcase · 14/11/2011 18:23

I was taught 2 mins for soft boiled, 10 mins for hard boiled (ie for sandwiches). Has my whole life been a lie?

Catsmamma · 14/11/2011 18:26

what a charming guest you must be!

the only time i have ever heard of an eggwhite omelette is on some frivolous american sitcom, it is always ordered by some airhead model type who imagines eggyolk might cause her to put on half an ounce.

squeakytoy · 14/11/2011 18:26

The pound shop sells egg shaped things that you put in the water with the eggs, and when they have changed colour to the point you want your egg at (soft, medium, hard), you take the egg out of the pan.

Put them in from cold water first too.

I always have eggs at room temperature, there is no need to refridgerate them.

I also find poached eggs a lot easier to judge than boiled eggs.. and those silicon poaching pods are brilliant.

LineRunnerSaturnalia · 14/11/2011 19:16

Free range medium eggs out of the fridge.

Into boiling water.

You actually need 5 and a half minutes, gently boiling, for a soft boiled egg.

Strange but true.

Andrewofgg · 14/11/2011 19:20

Call in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, this is a national emergency . . .

ExquisiteCake · 14/11/2011 19:22

Proudnscary Mon 14-Nov-11 12:26:30
Outrageous. I hope you have told these so-called friends to fuck off to the far side of fuck then fuck off some more???! I am FURIOUS on your behalf.

Ha! I concur.

SardineQueen · 14/11/2011 19:37

I think YABU as soft boiled eggs can be tricky blighters. I find that the amount of time needed depends on the cooker. I could do a perfect egg in my flat (fridge to cold water, bring to boil then 2 mins 15 secs with large free range waitrose eggs) but now I am in a house I cannot get the bleeders right. I have gas instead of leccy, my eggs are not so standardised, and I have 2 children to watch while I used to be able to watch my eggs.

So ner.

Oh and also I got a thing you put in the saucepan that shows how done the egg is. It is shit.

pointydog · 14/11/2011 19:43

It is hard to get right unless you make them a lot and are sensitive to the size of the egg and the efficiency of your hob. You should have offered to make your own, you fussy get.

thefurryone · 14/11/2011 19:52

itstooearly you've made a very good decision, welcome to the world of perfect eggs. Mine is definitely my favourite kitchen gadget.

Mandy2003 · 14/11/2011 20:19

Hmm. I don't like soft boiled eggs, therefore I don't know how to make one! A few weeks ago DS asked for one, the first time ever. I consulted the internet, picked Delia's method (4 minutes in cold water brought to the boil with the egg in it) and guess what came out - a hard boiled egg.

So. Next time (if there is a next time) I think I will boil the water first. Just saying.

BupcakesandCunting · 14/11/2011 20:25

YANBU

I can't stand shit chefs, whether I am a guest or not. Put some effort in, you lazy fuckers! I would be mortified if a guest left my home having been fed egg snot. I would probably punch myself in the face.

The WORST food I've ever been served in a friend's home was a watery thai vegetable curry. It was fucking shit. Unseasoned, bland, runny, lemony-tasting crap. "Oh, this isn't very good is it?" said the hostess as she ate it. How did it get to the table being THAT bad? Do people not taste/check the food they are cooking whilst it is cooking? Imagine not knowing what your food will taste like until it has been unleashed on your guests.

I am a bastard.

tardisjumper · 14/11/2011 20:33

So, how do we ensure a good soft boiled egg? I am just about to add some to my sort of salad nicoise. 5 or 6 mins?

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