The Color of Eggs

I can smell the vinegar. I can see yesterdays newspaper layered across the kitchen table to catch the occasional spill from the coffee cups filled with that magical colored water that would consume our white, hard boiled egg and turn it into masterpieces of egg-art. All of my brothers and sister gathered around the table waiting, timing our egg bath and having to move your color clockwise to the next awaiting dipper. Always the contest to make the egg that would stand out above all others. It's Easter and it wouldn't be the same if we didn't celebrate the memories of it by dying eggs.

Although the prepackaged store dye is easy to use and comes in a convenient package , I prefer a homemade recipe to dye my eggs with. The ingredients are simple and depending on your color preferences, you can create almost every variable shade possible. So, spread out the newspaper and get started!

Peach to Salmon

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1 Drop of Red Food Coloring

1 Cup Boiling Water

Pistachio to Green

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1 Drop of Yellow Food Coloring

2 - 4 Drops of Green Food Coloring

1 Cup Boiling Water

Light Yellow to Canary Yellow

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

2 Drops of Red Food Coloring

1 Cup Boiling Water

Robins Egg Blue to Dark Blue

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1 - 2 Drops of Blue Food Coloring

1 Cup Boiling Water

Boil your eggs for 15 minutes, starting at the time the water begins to boil. This insures your eggs are cooked on the inside. Cool and dry your eggs completely before you begin the dying process.

Your color preference is determined by the length of time you leave your egg in the dye. The shorter it stays in the dye, the lighter your egg will be and the longer your egg stays in the dye, the darker it will be. To achieve the colors above I kept my eggs in the dye 5 - 7 minutes, keeping the yellow in one minute longer that the rest.

No matter what colors you choose to make your eggs have fun doing it. Make the memories for your child to carry to adulthood, which I know will be recalled when they are sitting around the table with their children making new memories like the ones you created with them.

Happy Easter!

*Since these recipes require boiling water there is always the chance of receiving a potential burn. With anything always use caution, especially when children are participating. I see no reason why the water can't be hot instead of boiling to reduce the risk of a burn.

All photographs are watermarked.