Hard-Boiled Egg Whites and Sliced Cucumber

Ingredients

• egg whites 5 large
• cucumber 1/2 medium

Method

1. Prepare the egg whites. Carefully separate the egg whites from 5 large eggs. To do this, crack each egg gently on a flat surface, then open it over a bowl and transfer the yolk back and forth between the shell halves, letting the whites fall into the bowl. Set the yolks aside for another use.
   Tip: Make sure no yolk gets into the whites as it can affect cooking and texture.
2. Cook the egg whites. Place the separated egg whites into a small saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover them by about an inch. Put the pan on medium-high heat and bring the water to a gentle boil.
   Tip: Use a small pan to avoid the whites spreading too thinly.
3. Simmer and hard-boil. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to low and let the egg whites simmer gently for 10 minutes. This will cook them fully and give a firm texture similar to hard-boiled eggs.
   Tip: Avoid a rolling boil to keep the whites from breaking apart.
4. Cool the egg whites. After 10 minutes, carefully drain the hot water and transfer the egg whites to a bowl of ice water or run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let them cool for 2-3 minutes.
   Tip: Cooling quickly helps the egg whites firm up and makes them easier to handle.
5. Slice the cucumber. While the egg whites cool, wash the half medium cucumber thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, slice it into thin rounds about 1/8 inch thick. Arrange the slices on a plate.
   Tip: For extra crispness, you can chill the cucumber before slicing.
6. Serve. Slice or cut the cooled egg whites into bite-sized pieces and arrange them alongside the cucumber slices on your serving plate. Optionally, season lightly with salt and pepper or your favorite herbs.
   Tip: Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor without adding calories.

Pro tips

• Use fresh eggs for the best texture and taste when separating whites.
• To easily separate egg whites, you can use an egg separator tool or separate over a bowl to avoid mess.