Place the egg in a saucepan and cover with cold water.
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for 3-7 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs cooked.
After 3 minutes they will be really soft and after 5 minutes both the white and the yolk will be set.
Take the top of the egg immediately as this will stop the egg from cooking any further
3 mins – really soft boiled yolk and set white 4 mins – slightly set yolk and set white 5 mins – firmer yolk and white 6 mins – hard boiled with lightly soft yolk 7 mins – firmly hard boiled