Soft Boiled Eggs James Martin Food

SOFT BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Fill a medium sized saucepan with water and bring to a rolling boil.
• Make sure your eggs aren't fridge cold. By having the eggs at room temperature, it will be less of a shock for the egg reaching the hot water and therefore less likely to crack. You can also use an egg pricker to make a very small hole in each egg before boiling, which will also reduce the chances of it cracking in the heat. Slowly lower the eggs into the water using a spoon.
• Set your timer for 4-5 mins for runny/dippy eggs to serve with soldiers, or 6-7 mins for soft-boiled eggs for a salad. If serving in a salad, plunge the eggs into a bowl of cold water as soon as the timer goes off - this will stop them cooking and cool the shells quickly for peeling.

SOFT-BOILED EGGS WITH CHORIZO SOLDIERS

Steps:

• First, prepare the soldiers. Spread a thin layer of sundried tomato paste on 2 slices of the bread. Put a layer of chorizo on 1 slice, then top with the other slice and press together with a rolling pin. Repeat with the remaining bread. For a vegetarian alternative, use chutney or pesto as your filling.
• Put the eggs in a small pan of cold water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 ½ mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the grill and toast the chorizo sandwiches. If the layers are starting to separate, press them together again with the rolling pin. Trim off the edges and slice into 1cm-thick soldiers. Serve with the soft-boiled eggs.