FAMILY FEATURES

Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century . Eggs were once viewed as a forbidden food to some religious entities , so people would paint or decorate them to highlight the end of penance and fasting .

Yet still today , coloring eggs can help bring the whole family together and inspire simple moments of connection and creativity . From dunking eggs in neon dyes to embellishing them with paint , glitter and more , PAAS ^® brand – named after the Dutch word for Easter , “ Passen ” – offers these expert Easter egg dyeing tips based on its 140 years of experience .

Keep It Clean – Wash your hands in hot , soapy water before and after handling eggs , even if they ’ ve already been cooked or decorated . This helps protect you from any bacteria that may be on the egg and protects the eggshell from oil on hands that may make the dye not adhere properly . Make sure an adult supervises all projects to ensure food safety precautions are observed .

Hard Cook , Don ’ t Hard Boil – Although the cooking water must come to a full boil , the pan should be immediately removed from heat so the eggs can cook gently in the hot water . This method produces tender , not rubbery eggs and minimizes cracking .

Banish the Greenish Ring – This harmless but unsightly discoloration sometimes forms around hard-cooked yolks as a result of a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk . It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature . Cooking eggs in hot , not boiling water then cooling immediately helps minimize this discoloration .

Make Them “ Apeeling ” – To ensure easily peeled eggs , buy and refrigerate them 7-10 days in advance of cooking . This brief “ breather ” allows the eggs time to take in air , which helps separate the membranes from the shell .

Store Eggs Safely – In the shell , hard-cooked eggs can be refrigerated safely for up to one week . Refrigerating them in their original carton prevents odor absorption . Once peeled , eggs should be eaten that day . Piercing shells before cooking is not recommended . If not sterile , the piercer or needle can introduce bacteria into the egg . Also , piercing creates hairline cracks in the shell through which bacteria can enter after cooking .

Tap Into Your Creative Side – You don ’ t have to be highly creative to create an “ eggceptional ” egg . Use your imagination to create appealing eggs by gluing on fun materials found at craft stores , like fake gems , sequins , trims and ribbons . You can also use paint , including gold or silver metallic paint , to make eggs special . An option like PAAS egg decorating kits can help make the process more convenient and fun .

Find more tips and ideas to bring your family together this Easter at paaseastereggs . com .

18 Big Bend Real Estate Guide • April 2022