Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs

The upside of living deep in the countryside (or the campo as it's called here) is that we are cooking at home a lot more. It's not just the distance to the nearest village but the fact that our isolated house is at the end of a winding dirt track that in some places requires driving at 5mph!

So, after much practice, I can now make the perfect soft boiled eggs, everytime and here's how in 3 easy steps.

1. Fill a pan with cold tap water and put the eggs in.

2. Bring the water to the boil and, as soon as the water just begins to roll on the surface, THAT is when you set the timer. I use large eggs and leave them in the boiling water for 3.5 minutes. This is the only bit that requires some trial and error as different pans and different eggs will make a difference but you just have to find what works for you in your home. It should only take you 2 or 3 times before you get the correct boiling time.

3. As soon as the timer goes off, remove the pan and put the eggs into another pan of cold water. This will stop them cooking further while you have chance to peel them.

Eggs with smoked salmon

The view from the breakfast table.