Canadian Acres
Farming in the North
Why I will never boil another egg
As light begins to come back to us through longer days, our gorgeous hens have upped their production of eggs. As of now, we have 8 full time laying hens: 4 olive eggers (green eggs), 1 mixed breed (tan egg), 2 blue orpingtons (light brown and pink eggs) and 1 black orpington (light brown eggs). We have yet to find 8 eggs in one day, but they are starting to consistently lay 6-7 per day which adds up very quickly. So I find myself with an over abundance of eggs and there have never been more frittatas made.
Since my husband loves hard boiled eggs I attempted to keep at least a half a dozen in the fridge at all times. Though, our eggs are so fresh, they didn’t peel very easily. In fact, not easily at all. By the time you got the shell off, you’d have half an egg left. After researching (google) I found out that this is common among farm fresh eggs, which is concerning since I never seemed to have the problem with store bought eggs… Makes you wonder how “fresh” they really are. Someone suggested adding baking soda to the cooking water. Okay, let’s do that. Once again, a peeling mess and now the eggs tasted a bit like sulphur. Gross.
What to do. What to do.
One night on instagram, a fellow chicken lover posted a method that involved steaming the eggs instead of boiling them. She claimed it worked like a charm on her fresh eggs, so I knew I’d have to give it a try.
And folks, I will never boil another egg again.
Not only did they peel like a dream, they were beautiful and tasted amazing. I had to give the girls a high five for their hard work and this new discovery… although they were confused by the gesture. Thus is life on the farm.
Perfect Steamed Eggs:
- 1 dozen eggs (or however many you have. We just have a lot. Like, a lot.)
- Large pot with steamer insert, filled with about 1 inch of water
- Bowl of ice water
Bring the pot up to a boil and carefully add eggs. Cover and let steam – 6 minutes for soft boiled and 12 minutes for hard boiled. Remove and add to ice water for 15 minutes. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days or eat immediately. Easiest to peel under cold running water.
Eggs for days people. Eggs for days.
~Katy
Canadian Acres 
Reblogged this on 2 Boys 1 Homestead.
I wouldn’t have ever thought of that, thanks for the tip!
Thank you. That information was needed!!!
I’m glad you liked it 🙂 It was life changing for me!
I am trying that idea! Thanks
As always, I love reading your blog. 🙂 It’s a breath of fresh air in the middle of my concrete as far as the eye can see, DC day. Thanks for the tip and the grins you never fail to leave me with!
Thanks lady! Miss you guys so much 🙂
Reblogged this on homiesontherange and commented:
I absolutely love this! Definitely worth a try 😀
Thank you, it has revolutionized my kitchen lol
I also read about steaming them from a blog as I had the same problem with trying to peel fresh eggs. I went to a thrift store and found a vegetable steamer and will never turn back to the boil method!! Works awesome.
Great tip! You don’t feed your shells back to your hens?
I haven’t started feeding them their shells yet. I bought a bag of oyster shell when they first started laying and it’s lasting me quite awhile! Once I run out, I’ll probably switch to feeding their own shells.
Reblogged this on HUMBLE BEE FARMS and commented:
If you have chickens that lay eggs, I’m sure you’ll love this post by Canadian Acres!
This is genius. I’m trying this as soon as I get home!
Thanks! I was so excited to try it and am so glad it works 🙂
Do you peel right after cooling, storing without peel, or do you peel each as it is eaten?
Your eggs are so pretty, great post. Xx
Thanks! We leave the shells on to store them in the fridge. Easier for my husband to eat in the field for his job. He commented yesterday that he “just cracked it on the side of his snow machine and the shell slid right off”. LOL
Good to know. That is my preference as well. Tx
Your egg trays look like mine! They are so beautiful, I especially love the olive coloured ones 🙂
I love my egg tray! And I even found it on sale 🙂
Hello there, Katy! I found this lovely post through humblebee farms, who found me today, as it happens! What a lovely blog you have – I can’t wait to get reading! This advice on steaming eggs? BRILLIANT!!! I have a flock of 12 hens and 1 cock – so of course, the fresh egg peel controversy lives and breathes here as well! I’m off to get me a steamer insert… 🙂 Mother Hen
I’m glad you like it! Let me know if the steaming works as well for you ~Katy
Will do…
What a great idea! I’m buying a steaming insert to day too!