Infographic: How Long to Cook Your Eggs

How do you like your eggs? Make it simpler to whip up everyone’s eggs to order with this handy chart.

• To make hard-boiled eggs: Put eggs in a pan; cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Turn off heat, cover pan and let stand for 10 minutes. Drain and place eggs in a bowl of ice water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

• To make soft-boiled eggs: Same as above; but cover and let stand for 4 minutes.

• To make sunny-side-up eggs: Heat up oil or melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crack an egg into a cup and gently pour into skillet. Wait for 1 to 2 minutes, then either cover the pan for a minute, or tilt the skillet and use a spoon to collect the fat and pour it over the egg white. Repeat to pour it over the yolk. Covering the pan or basting the egg helps the top to cook without flipping the egg. Total time: 4 to 5 minutes.

• To make scrambled eggs: Beat eggs until well combined (no need to add water or milk). Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; pour in eggs. Swirl in the pan, let sit for about 30 seconds, then begin stirring slowly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, keeping the curds as large as possible. Transfer to a plate while eggs are still moist; they’ll finish cooking on the plate. Total time: 4 to 5 minutes.

• To make a poached egg: Fill a saucepan about 2/3 of the way with water; bring to a boil. Add a splash of vinegar (use a fairly light one, like white wine or cider vinegar). Turn the heat down to a simmer (lightly boiling, bubbling but not a rolling boil). Crack an egg into a small cup, and ease it into the water. Cook for about 4 minutes (for a firm white and still slightly runny yolk).