The Link

3/12/2013
IOWA EGG COUNCIL

A DOZEN TIPS FOR EASTER EGG COOKING AND DECORATING

Eggs are an essential part of springtime celebrations, which is why it’s important to be egg-stra careful when cooking and decorating with eggs. Here are a dozen cooking and decorating tips that will ensure a safe and enjoyable Easter:

1. Some of the freshest eggs can be the most difficult to peel. To ensure easily peeled eggs, buy and refrigerate eggs one week to 10 days in advance of cooking.

2. After purchasing eggs, store them on an inside shelf in the refrigerator. Avoid storing them in the door because repeated opening and closing of the door causes temperature fluctuations.

3. Store eggs in their original carton. This helps keep the eggs from picking up odors and flavors from other foods.

4. When preparing hard-cooked eggs for an egg hunt, be on the lookout for cracks in the shells. Even tiny cracks can allow bacteria to contaminate the egg. Eggs that have cracks should be discarded.

5. Follow the three easy steps below for perfectly hard-boiled eggs.

6. As soon as you’ve cooled the eggs, refrigerate them in their shells and use them within one week.

7. When dyeing eggs, always work with clean hands. Do not use hand cream because the oil can affect how the dye takes.

8. Use non-toxic crayons, pens, paints, glue and other art supplies on any eggs that will be eaten.

9. If you’re planning to keep your decorated eggs, they should be left raw, then blown hollow after dyeing, otherwise the egg shell will float on top of the dye.

10. If you're hiding eggs outside, choose the cleanest hiding places you can, and avoid areas that pets or other animals might visit.

11. After eggs have been hidden and found, keep them refrigerated. Discard any eggs left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.

12. Always wash hands, utensils and work areas with hot, soapy water before and after cooking with eggs.

1-2-3 Easy Steps for Perfectly Hard-boiled Eggs

1. Place eggs in saucepan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Heat over high heat just to boiling. Remove from burner. Cover pan.

2. Let eggs stand in hot water about 12 minutes for large eggs (9 minutes for medium eggs; 15 minutes for extra large eggs).

3. Drain immediately and serve warm, or cool completely under cold running water or in a bowl of ice water, then refrigerate.

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Find egg decorating ideas and delicious brunch recipes at www.iowaegg.org, or call
1-877-IOWAEGG.

(CONTACT: Lois White (515) 727-4701 ext.11)