PERFECT SOFT-BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Using a thermometer to know the temperature, heat a pot of water, deep enough to fully cover the egg with 2 cm of water, to 190 F (90 C). The volume of the water should be substantially more than the volume of the eggs, so that adding the eggs does not severely alter the water temperature. Using a slotted spoon place eggs, directly from the refrigerator, into this water bath. Maintain the temperature while they cook for 9 minutes (extra large egg; maybe 8 to 8.5 minutes for a large egg). Adjust the time according to personal preference. This plan is designed to avoid any unnecessary trouble, such as "let eggs warm to room temperature." It also avoids exposing the eggs to overly high temperatures: 190F (90C) is a recommended temperature for optimal eggs. My refrigerator is kept at 36F, based on the door display. I used an inexpensive digital "fork" thermometer to monitor the water temperature, and made small adjustments to the burner knob to get it to hold the desired setting (plus or minus 5F, or so). Since the yolk solidifies at a lower temperature than the white (158F versus 180F, according to McGee's "On Food and Cooking"), having the egg at refrigerator temperatures helps to have a runny yolk with a firm white.