Anyone making hardboiled eggs/deviled eggs tomorrow?

Stumbled across this while I was looking for something else. I think I'll try it when I make my deviled eggs. I'd be happy to be able to boil eggs without having to battle to get the shells off.

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

Recipe By : Julia Child, "The Way to Cook"
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:40
Categories : Cheese/Eggs Family Recipes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
For 1-4 Eggs:
1 to 4 Eggs
2 quarts water -- * see note
For 12 Eggs:
12 Eggs
3 1/2 quarts water -- * see note
For 24 Eggs:
24 Eggs
6 quarts water -- * see note
Special Equipment_________________________
High (not wide) Saucepan with cover
Bowl w/ice cubes & water (large enough to
completely cover eggs)

*note: water should cover the eggs by 1 inch, so use a tall pan, and limit
cooking to 2 dozen eggs at a time.

1. Lay the eggs in the pan and add the amount of cold water specified. Set
over high heat and bring just to the boil; remove from heat, cover the pan,
and let sit exactly 17 minutes.

2. When the time is up, transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice cubes and
water. Chill for 2 minutes while bringing the cooking water to the boil
again. (This 2 minute chilling shrinks the body of the egg from the shell.)

3. Transfer the eggs (6 at a time only) to the boiling water, bring to the
boil again, and let boil for 10 seconds - this expands the shell from the
egg. Remove eggs, and place back into the ice water.


Chilling the eggs promptly after each step prevents that dark line from
forming, and if time allows, leave the eggs in the ice water after the last
step for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilled eggs are easier to peel, as well.

The peeled eggs will keep perfectly in the refrigerator, submerged in water
in an uncovered container, for 2 to 3 days.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : The perfect hard boiled egg has a tender white, and a yolk properly
set. There is not the faintest darkening of yolk where the white encircles
it (a chemical reaction caused by too much heat in the cooking process).
Eggs cooked this way can also be peeled neatly.

The system described here, developed by the Georgia Egg Board, takes a bit
of fussing - but it really does produce an absolutely Perfect Hard Boiled Egg!

Well, this might work fine for smaller eggs, but the jumbo eggs I boiled weren't done in the center of the yolks. They were easier to peel and had no green in the yolks at all. If you're using larger eggs, adjust the times above.

I always have to boil for longer times than they call for, 12-14 minutes, heat off after a full boil, covered, doesn't work for me-I keep them at a low simmer for that time, I'd rather have a ring around the yolks, than undercooked yolks...I either do ice water or a cold water bath afterwards, I'm embarrassed to say, although we hid plastic eggs today, & had Easter presents, we didn't dye our eggs yet-we have the dye & eggs, maybe tomorrow...

I've done well with 15 min stand after the boil, on regular large eggs. I also don't like the green line.
hart- thanks for posting- that would be great to know for a big batch of eggs to be peeled.
I have also heard that older eggs are less sticky than fresh eggs. I think they say the egg has lost a little water and shrunk. I also rattle the eggs in the water to crack the shells, to let a little water seep in. Course I wouldn't like cracks in my dyed eggs.