Uhhh Ohhh!
I was so excited to finally find PAAS coloring kits for Easter Eggs here in Hong Kong. However, when I went to open the package, it was missing the vital egg coloring tablets. Each and every one of the packages in Times Square had been tampered with and re-taped shut. Someone must be making a mint on reselling the egg dye somewhere else. LOL
I can't let my boys down. Decorating Easter eggs is a family tradition we do every year, no matter where in the world we are... Asia is NOT an exception!
Hmm. My thoughts were racing trying to think of ways to tint the white eggs. Markers? Glitter? Saffron- no way that is way too expensive... and then up in the cupboard there was the solution with all of my other baking supplies. FOOD COLORING...
So I began experimenting with the food dyes and additions of vinegar and I ended up with some of the most beautifully colored eggs we have had in a very long time. I will never waste my money on the PAAS egg decorating packets again.
Please don't let the little things get you down over this holiday season. Just enjoy the time with your family and kids. You know there is always something that does not go quite as expected. Your youngest might spill red juice all over her beautiful new dress and bonnet right before Sunday services. Maybe your boys, bless their little hearts, decide to play a game of football in the mud and track in an entire ton of dirt all over your white kitchen floor just before your guests arrive. Maybe you forgot to set the timer and did not notice that your breakfast egg casserole was done until you see smoke bellowing from the kitchen.
It is never the end of the world. We all have been there, done that! Just relax and let your family and friends laugh and enjoy these unique experiences with you. The party will go on.... DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AS IT IS ALL SMALL STUFF!
My youngest teenager and I had a wonderful and creative time decorating the eggs together. We are both just big kids at heart. I am glad I did not let a little Hong Kong Snafu ruin our family tradition.
Easter Egg Mania
- 12 white eggs or more
- red,green, yellow and blue food coloring
- white vinegar
- tap water room temperature
- markers, glue, sparkles, beads, stickers (Whatever your little heart desires to design your eggs with)
Step 1: Place your egg in pot and cover with water
Step 2: Gently boil eggs for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and pot and allow to cool.
Step 3: In a coffee cup, mix about 20 drops of food coloring with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Add ½ cup room temperature water.
Step 4: Repeat the steps above to make different colors. For example, mix red and blue to get purple, and mix red and yellow to make orange, and mix blue and green to make a turquoise. I think you guys get the idea. don't forget to add the vinegar.
Step 5: Gently lower eggs in the cup with a spoon. The longer you leave the eggs in the dye, the darker the colors will be. Once the egg reaches the desired color, remove from the cup with a spoon and allow to dry. You can put them back in the egg carton or use a cupcake tin.
Step 7: Store your eggs in the refrigerator in the front section so that is easy for the Easter bunny to find them and hide them. (The Easter bunny should check to see if maybe there is an Iphone application to remind you to check on those eggs a little later after the kids go to bed )
Happy Easter from Healthy World Cuisine!
Ingredients
- eggs -
- white vinegar -
- food coloring -
Mary Oxendine says
Thank you for your beautiful Easter Eggs, and beautiful personal story. I had died eggs so many years ago with food coloring but had forgotten the formula. I appreciate you giving me that information. Is there any reason I can't use regular apple cider vinegar instead of the white? I don't keep white in my pantry? Thank you!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Mary, thanks for stopping by. Any type of vinegar you happen to have in your pantry will work fine, including cider vinegar. The vinegar assists in the chemical reaction to make the colors brighter. The only vinegar I would not use is the Chinese black vinegar as this will affect the coloring of the eggs. If you want a pale lighter pastel color, you can also use lemon juice. I hope this helps. Take care, BAM
Healthy World Cuisine says
Happy Easter Sibella, I am so happy to hear that you had some quality time with the kids this holiday. They will remember these fun times with you and they will forget all about the cake. Maybe you can just whip up some Easter panCAKE's in the morning. That's close enough, don't you think? Take care, BAM
Sibella says
Cute eggs, great idea to use food coloring. My kids and I had so much fun coloring eggs today too! So much fun that I didn't even think of my Easter cake... As you said, I am not gonna stress about it... I will try to whip up something in the morning.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOU FAMILY! 🙂
Sibella
ChopinandMysaucepan says
Dear Bobbi,
What a great attitude to have about not sweating the small stuff, life is short and there are so many awesome things to look forward too! Have a great Easter too!
Healthy World Cuisine says
It is my new motto. If you say "don't sweat the small stuff" to yourself often through out the day, you will be surprised how you can change any negative experience into a positive one. Happy Easter you too! Take care, BAM
ChgoJohn says
"Don't sweat the small stuff .." Eggcellent advice, no matter the day or place. Your quick thinking not only resulted in this year's colored eggs but you're now set for as many years as you'll be dying eggs. Not bad at all. Happy Easter!
Healthy World Cuisine says
"Eggcellent" John! My favorite new word for this Happy Easter Day and many more to come. Take care, BAM
yummychunklet says
How fun! We're going to dye eggs tonight.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Your kids will have a blast! I hope the Easter bunny visits soon. Take Care, BAM
samology says
Oh Bam! This is so adorable!! I love your little coloured eggs!! I must say you are quite brilliant to come up with VINEGAR!! haha. I would have just made a huge mess with mine! I was bewildered when I read that your packages have been tempered with! I would have been furious if I that happened to me. But you're right! Don't let anything ruin your holidays!! 🙂 I guess in HK time, it's Easter now! You're 1 day ahead! hehe.. Hope you have an awesome time doing the Easter Hunt with your boys! Sounds mighty fun! Happy Easter!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hi Sam! Are you still in a sugar coma after eating your 8 layer Birthday cake? I am still in awe at your efforts! You know how it is living international, you can't really find the things you are used to using when you are cooking. However, I just think of it as an awesome learning experience. I have learned more culinary tricks here in Asia then I would have ever learned in the States as I am always have to create new an innovative recipe adaptation. Happy Easter and Take Care, BAM
samology says
hehehe.. That's awesome!! I bet if I moved back to Asia I would not be cooking AT ALL!! Food is so cheaply sold on the streets that I'd be tempted to just buy from the local food centres every day. 🙁 lol
thebigfatnoodle says
Understand exactly what you mean about getting stressed about the little things, it's just not worth it but it's not always so easy to ignore. Those coloured eggs came out perfectly! Glad you guys still had fun. happy easter!
Healthy World Cuisine says
As you know living HK can cause major "liver qi stagnation", due to all the stress and people. However, I decided not to let the small stuff bother me. I just lower my expectations and then I am never disappointed. When are coming home for a visit? Take care, BAM
ceciliag says
Don't sweat the small stuff! EXCELLENT advice. i have never coloured eggs, weirdly that tradition never came to NZ in my day, or maybe it was just my family, but I love yours. You two kids must have had a great time! c
Healthy World Cuisine says
Cecilia I bet your farm fresh eggs would be beautiful decorated. Maybe you can start a new tradition with your family. Take care, BAM
Dawn says
I love making easter eggs, we might just have to do that today!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hard boiled decorated Easter Eggs make a great pre-made breakfast item after the Easter Egg hunt! Take Care, BAM
Tandy says
It may have been an expensive 'lesson' but your home made colouring is perfect!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Now I know no matter where we are in the world, we can decorate eggs. Happy Easter!
Choc Chip Uru says
Nice to see you did not let the elements stop your tradition 😉
The egg people have never looked more gorgeously and their glittery features almost remind me of the hunger games 😀
Happy Easter!
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks CCU. My boys are the creative ones. However we are both brainstorming on making some yummy treats with our hard boiled eggs. So many potentials. Take care, BAM
zestybeandog says
Awesome eggs! I need to get started on mine!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I know that I am at least 12 hours ahead of some of you due to the time zone difference. As I can predict the future, this Easter is going to be a great one. LOL
thecompletecookbook says
Well done Bam - your eggs turned out so pretty! Happy Easter.
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Mandy. I will let the boys know. They are the creative ones. Take Care, BAM
Just A Smidgen says
Well.. I thought there must be a way to do this, but I was too lazy to figure it out! You're a good mom doing this! Imagine, stealing all the dye tablets? Losers! These turned out great! xoxo Happy Easter ps Was I supposed to make an egg casserole tomorrow.. oops;)
Healthy World Cuisine says
Happy Easter Smidge! For breakfast, I did not make an egg casserole. Instead we are enjoying some of lovely hard boiled decorated easter eggs, croissants, fruit and of course free flowing java. Currently enjoying watching the boys continue on with the Easter egg hunt. Take Care
Just A Smidgen says
Wonderful.. that sounds just perfect:) Happy Easter!!