It’s Easter: How to make hard-boiled eggs, and more

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This is the Easter that you are going to master the hard-boiled egg.

If you are like many of us, you set out to make hard-boiled eggs to decorate for an Easter egg hunt but you typically end up with a stinky kitchen and eggs that are overcooked or cracked. But no more. Pull up a chair and let Times Food Editor Russ Parsons tell you what you’ve been doing wrong -- and how to make the perfect hard-boiled egg:

‘Perhaps the most common problem with hard-boiled eggs is overcooking. That’s what happens when the yolks are pale yellow with that familiar green band around the outside. There is frequently the odor of sulfur. This is due to a reaction between traces of iron in the yolk and sulfur in the white. It happens only when the eggs have been overcooked. Perfectly cooked yolks are moist and deep orange. Needless to say, there is no chemical smell. The second-biggest problem is cracked shells that leak yolk and white out into the cooking water. This is caused by too-rapid heating.

How do you avoid these problems? There’s one very simple method. Place the eggs in a pan just big enough to hold them in a single layer. Cover them with cold water and bring them to a rolling boil. Cook for one minute, then remove them from the heat. When the water has cooled enough that you can put your hand in (about 20 minutes), the eggs will be perfectly cooked.’

From there, you can decorate like you’re Martha Stewart and have a ball. And when the Easter Egg hunt is long over, you can use your perfectly hard-boiled eggs to make this egg salad. If you are one of those science types and want to know more, you can read about the science of the hard-boiled egg -- and the rest of Parsons’ story -- here. But before you go, check out a veritable Easter basket full of recipe offerings from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen, and more:

--Want to impress your guests? Stuff a leg of lamb. Parsons walks you through it, step-by-step. Photo gallery here.

--Looking for something completely different? How about a look at how Easter in celebrated in Scandinavia, recipes included. And if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, the Times Test kitchen has you covered. Click here.

--It wouldn’t be Easter without a chocolate bunny. Take a spin through this photo gallery look at our favorite Easter candies. What’s your favorite Easter candy?

--Finally, please let us know how you’re celebrating this special time of the year, and the special dishes you prepare for your family. Upload your Seder and Easter photos here so we can all enjoy them.

-- Rene Lynch
twitter.com / renelynch