Foodie Friday: Hard boiled beauties

You know Easter’s near, when you’re at the market and see the Paas point of sale display parked right beside the egg case. And every year, I can’t resist sticking with one of my favorite traditions and grabbing a Paas box. Good Friday’s the day we’ve always dyed eggs for Easter.

After years of playing around with various techniques, the one that I’m sharing with you today is a favorite. The stripes and plaids in tints of soft pastels and deeper hues are pretty simple to do, but you can’t rush it. These colorfully patterned beauties take a little patience…and are well worth it.

I start with 2 dozen large white eggs that are placed into a large pot filled with water (fill 1-inch above eggs), keep covered, and bring to a boil. Turn off stove, remove from heat, and with cover still on, let sit for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cold water, and let the eggs cool.

Using 1-cup glass bowls, place Paas dye tablet in each bowl and add 3 tablespoons of water. As the tablets start to dissolve, pour half cup of boiling water into each bowl as well (this helps the tablets to dissolve completely). Let them cool. These are the soft pastel base colors for the eggs.

For the first pastel layer, I either place the whole egg into a color or hold the egg partially submerged. The longer you leave it in, the deeper the color will be. I use the cardboard egg cartons as drying racks for each dipped egg. As they dry, I have a paper towel on hand to wipe any drips, and turn them over to dip them again into another color. I keep rotating the eggs, and let the stripes criss-cross so the soft plaids start to evolve.

I then add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to each bowl. The vinegar will make the dye colors more intense. Each egg will get a turn or two getting partially dipped again, and put back onto the egg cartons to completely dry. Keep playing, have fun – you’ll know when they’re done.

I keep them refrigerated in an air-tight container until Easter Sunday, when they’ll be removed and gently placed into a moss filled basket, proudly displayed on the buffet table for all to enjoy.

Wishing you and your family a beautiful Easter!

Love, Nora