By Katie Goodman
Nothing quite says spring like pastel-colored Easter eggs, and many of us probably have fond memories of coloring them with our mothers or hunting for the brightly colored eggs hidden amongst tall grass and trees.
Dyeing hard-boiled eggs is a fun afternoon activity to do with children that doesn’t involve any special ingredients – you most likely already have everything you’ll need for the task.
My three-and-a-half year-old daughter has never really eaten an entire hard-boiled egg before. She’s asked me to make them and then is mystified by their appearance. She likes to remove the white to find the yolk in the middle. But after we colored the eggs she was suddenly really interested in eating her beautiful egg – and she ate the whole thing.
So go ahead, dye some eggs for fun, and maybe your child will be encouraged to try a new food in the process!
Materials
White eggs
Water
Measuring cups
White vinegar
Saucepan
Food coloring
Slotted spoon
Spoons
Paper towel
Directions
Step 1: Lay out a few sheets of paper towel for drying.
Step 2: Hard boil your eggs. Then, let them cool to room temperature. (See: Perfect, Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs.)
Tip: Don’t boil your eggs fresh from the grocery store. Eggs that are easier to peel are less fresh, so plan ahead and buy your eggs a few days in advance.
Step 3: Set aside one medium-sized bowl per color you plan on using. In each bowl, add 1/3 cup white vinegar, 6-10 drops of food coloring (or 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon) of your chosen color, and 1 1/4 cup hot water.
Note: The amount of coloring you use will affect the depth of the color in your final result.
Step 4: Stir the contents until combined. Place egg(s) in the bowl and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes to absorb the color. The eggs should be completely submerged in the mixture.
Step 5: Remove using a slotted spoon. Place the eggs on the paper towel and allow to sit until they are dry.
About the Author:
Katie Goodman blogs at goodLife {eats} where she shares what she finds good in the kitchen and in life through recipes, family memories, and yummy photography. She also works as a freelance food writer and photographer for various sites. Outside of cooking, Katie loves reading, gardening, visiting family, and attending the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she resides with her husband and children.
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