Put the eggs into a pan of boiling water with just sufficient water to cover the eggs. Lower the heat and cook for 3 to 4 1/2 minutes for soft boiled eggs or 10-12 minutes for hard boiled eggs. Hard boiled eggs should be placed at once under running cold water until they are cold. This prevents the yolk discolouring on the outside and enables the shell to be easily removed.

Alternatively, put the eggs in cold water and bring slowly to the boil. Once boiling point is reached, remove the eggs for soft boiled eggs.

For coddled eggs, these soft boiled eggs are cooked by placing them in boiling water, cover, remove from the heat and keep in a warm place for 8 to 10 minutes.