To make a perfect hard-boiled egg, you can follow these steps:
Place the eggs in a single layer in a saucepan or pot. Make sure you have enough room for the eggs to be covered with water.
Add enough cold water to the pot to cover the eggs by about an inch or so.
Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the water to a gentle boil.
Once the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let the eggs simmer for about 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of the eggs and how well-cooked you prefer the yolk. Keep in mind that larger eggs may require a bit more time.
While the eggs are simmering, prepare a bowl of ice water. This will be used later to cool down the eggs quickly and stop the cooking process.
After the desired cooking time, carefully remove the eggs from the pot using a spoon or tongs and immediately transfer them to the bowl of ice water. Let them sit in the ice water for at least 5 minutes to cool.
Gently tap the eggs on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel them under running water or in the water-filled bowl. This can make peeling easier.
Once peeled, the perfect hard-boiled eggs are ready to be enjoyed or used in your favorite recipes.
By following these steps, you should achieve consistent results with a firm but creamy yolk and fully cooked whites. Adjust the cooking time slightly based on your preference for softer or firmer yolks.