Eggs are a Springtime tradition. Coloring eggs is easy to do and
can be a new family tradition. A variety of commercial egg dyes
and decorating kits are available-especially at Easter. Follow
package directions for best results.
Food coloring also works well. For simple dyeing, squeeze a few
drops in hot water(warmer than the egg) along with 2 to 3
teaspoons of white vinegar for each cup or water. Then, submerge
the egg until the shade is to your liking. To make masterful
strokes upon an eggshell canvas, use food coloring-straight from
the bottle or blended into a variety of hues-with a brush as you
would paint. To create a stipple effect, press a clean, food
color-dipped sponge onto the shell.
Two-toned eggs can be made by dipping only half an egg at a time
into dye or suspending the egg over the dye, then after drying
dyed-end down, dyeing the other half.
A host of additional items can be used to dye or decorate eggs.
Eggs intended for eating should be dyed only with commercial egg
or food dyes or with non-toxic natural materials that have been
boiled. Any material is fine if eggs are only for display.
Some materials for natural dye include:
Now, for a refresher on how to hard-cook eggs. Place eggs in a
single layer in saucepan. Add enough tap water to come to at
least one inch above eggs. Cover and quickly bring just to
boiling. Turn off heat. If necessary, remove pan from burner to
prevent further boiling. Cover and let eggs stand in the hot
water about 15-17 minutes for large eggs. Adjust time up or down
by about 3 minutes for each size larger or smaller. Immediately
run cold water over the eggs, or place them in ice water until
completely cooled.
As for egg handling safety, wash your hands thoroughly before
handling eggs at every stage in the process-cooking, cooling,
dyeing, and hiding. If eggs cannot be colored right away, store
them in their cartons in the refrigerator. Do not color or hide
cracked eggs. Store colored eggs in their cartons in the
refrigerator until hiding time and immediately after hiding and
finding. Do not eat cracked eggs. Do not eat eggs which have
been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
