The Art of the Easter Egg + How to Hard Boil an Egg.

Little Man is still a little young to dye the Easter eggs this year. It was convenient that Easter came at the end of my week to plan our date night. I boiled up 2 dozen eggs to color in hopes that I could use them the next day for deviled eggs on Easter Day. (strange that deviled eggs are common on the day we celebrate Christ... just sayin')

We had fun with all the colors that came in the PAAS original package. We chose to use vinegar as it gives a more vibrant color. Here's a look at our creative outlet.

Here is the awesome creativity that comes from the hubby...

needless to say, it hasn't been eaten yet...

I mentioned that I was hoping to use these lovely eggs for my deviled egg contribution to Easter dinner. I am now pro at boiling the eggs to perfectly golden centers (after that oh-so-helpful food science class) and I wasn't worried. Until we tried to peel them...

This is one of the better ones... and not pretty enough for little chick-lets coming out of their eggs... the moral of the story? (one I forgot, even after my food science class)

Buy your Easter eggs about a week or two before you boil them up for decorating. The fresh eggs have hearty albumen (the yucky clear gooey stuff when the egg is raw... that turns white when you cook it) that holds to the shell very well. As an egg ages, that albumen (see, you learned a new word today!) thins a little and is less able to stick to the shell, thus it is easier to peel a boiled egg.

How to boil an egg:
1. place desired amount of eggs in bottom of a pan (choose a small pot if you are only doing a few eggs.)
2. cover eggs (barely cover) with cold water.
3. cover pan and bring to a rolling boil.
4. just as it comes to a rolling boil (I mean, rolling bubbles, rolling. Not the wimpy sorta-bubbles) take the pot off the heat.
5. Let the eggs sit in the hot pot for 15 minutes. -more and you will get that yucky grey-ish film on your yolk. less and the middle of the yolk is not completely cooked (and it wont come out of your egg nicely for your deviled eggs)
6. after 15 minutes, cold shock your eggs to stop them from cooking. Take the pot, and run cold water over the eggs until it has replaced the hot water and is cold to the touch.

I did boil another set of eggs... for dinner... I followed a method for peeling them that I found via Pinterest. You can see her post for the "World's Easiest Boiled Egg" here. They peeled beautifully, but...I was in a rush and I cooked them for 14 minutes and they didn't turn out. Moral of this story? Do NOT rush the art of the boiled egg...

Blood Worms

Mom and I originally found these about a month ago here at the Idea Room. We made them for our Ward's Halloween party and found them to be a disgusting hit. There was an immediate crowd surrounding them as I placed them on the dessert table. And I was a little surprised so many people wanted to try one... They are pretty gross... However, these little guys even talked about them at Bishopric meeting the next morning. They were also a hit at the "Monster Mash" I threw on the 30th. They are pretty easy, and take a little effort and time... but they sure get some of the best reactions... :)

Ingredients:

100 flexible plastic straws{The straws with a bendable neck make the ridges for the most realistic worms.} Place bendable necks of straws at the bottom of the container.

an empty, cleaned 1-quart milk or orange juice carton to hold straws. {tall and skinny is the best. We used a vase and had some trouble getting them out at first... the cardboard would make life so much easier... The straws will fill up to the height of the container, the taller the better.}

1 package (6 ounces) raspberry or grape flavor gelatin
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
3 cups boiling water
3/4 cup whipping cream
12 to 15 drops green food coloring
waxed paper

Directions:
1. Combine gelatins in a bowl and add boiling water; stir until gelatins completely dissolve.{important note: add water to gelatins... not the other way around... it doesn't work so well the other way...}
2. Chill until lukewarm, about 20 min.
3. Pull straws to extend to full length; place in tall container. Wrap together with a loose rubber band to hold straws together.
4. Blend cream and food coloring with the lukewarm gelatin mixture.
5. Carefully pour into container, filling straws. {it doesn't really matter where you pour as they will all equal out.}
6. Chill until gelatin is firm, at least 8 hours, or cover and chill up to 2 days.

7. Pull straws from container or, if you're using a carton, simply tear the carton away from the filled straws. Pull straws apart.
8. Run hot tap water for about 2 seconds over 3 to 4 straws at a time. Starting at the empty ends, push worms from straws with rolling pin, or use your fingers.
9. Lay worms on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover and chill until ready to use, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Worms will hold at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Seeing Green!

{I know... its the end of April... and the St. Patty's day Craze is long since past. but the green party was so much fun for me that I can't let it go without a little attention... So here goes! The best kept secrets of my green day! and pictures to share!}

{My day started off fine enough. Excited about throwing a hit party, and putting a few recipes together for the shindig. However, somehow a leprechaun snuck into my little home to cause chaos in my kitchen... It all started with homemade bread that went awry during the process...}



Not to be deterred, I gave one loaf to my mother... (pay back for those hot dog buns...) It was rather tasty if I do say so myself. Still the party turned out well. We ate delicious food and spent the evening laughing with friends as good as gold! Thanks to all who helped and joined in! Now, without further ado, the secret ingredients to my "green" party.


*This post it brought to you by the ingredient: green food coloring. None of this would be possible without you! Thank You*






{Tortellini and Alfredo sauce{a favorite green dish is pasta. Easy and easily "greened".}

{ingredients}
1 pkg Tortellini {I got one at Costco for the party}
2 bottles of Alfredo sauce {I had a bottle of Ragu and one Bertolli and combined them}
green food coloring

{directions}
1. Add food coloring to pasta water, bring to a boil, add pasta.
2. Boil until al dente and drain. {During the cooking period the pasta soaks in some of the green dye in the water and will come out a beautiful green.}
3.warm the Alfredo and add a few spices to taste
4. Add a couple drops of {my favorite St. Patrick's day ingredient} the green food coloring until color desired.
5.Lightly toss together and viola! a delicious little appetizer, side dish, or entree



{Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad}
{you can't really tell in this picture... but the noodles turned out to be a really neat army green color... almost like I planned it (or bought it to be that color) to turn out like that...}

{sorry all... I don't remember where I got this recipe... but it honestly wasn't a favorite of mine and I can't find it anyway. So you'll have to live with a picture for now... I'll see if I can find a better one.}

{Taste the Rainbow Platter!} {my favorite part of the night! I admit, I feel pretty smart for thinking this one up!}

{ingredients}
Red: Strawberries, watermelon, raspberries {we used strawberries}
Orange: Mango, oranges, {we used the most delicious mango...}
Yellow: pineapple, banana
Green: kiwi, green grapes, {we used kiwi because they work really well on fruit pizzas and we were using grapes for purple}
Blue: blueberries {forgot to get them, so our rainbow is missing the blue...}
Indigo: {good luck!}
Violet: purple grapes, black berries

{directions}
1. Cut fruit and arrange in a rainbow pattern on tray and serve! {pretty simple...}

{Fruit Pizzas}{we made these upon special request of my home teacher. We thought they would be an excellent extension of the fruit tray as the guests could choose what fruit they want on their pizzas. It was a hit!}
{ingredients}
sugar cookie dough {we just used the pre-made, pre-cut dough you can buy. We were going for simple at that point...}
8 oz cream cheese- softened
8 oz whipped topping- thawed {we didn't measure... just until its the consistency you like it. We didn't use the whole 8 oz...}

{directions}
1. Bake cookie dough according to the directions.
2. Mix cream cheese and whipped topping together until smooth. {to turn it green, just add the secret ingredient of the day!}
2. Spread some of the mixture on a cookie, add whatever fruit you like, consume, and repeat.


{Guacamole} {I got this recipe from a young women's leader while I was still a Laurel. I use it all the time! P.S. I double the recipe because it always goes faster than I think it will!}
{ingredients}
1 large avocado- cut in half, scooped and keep the pit {good tip*if you put the pit in the middle of the guacamole (as seen in picture above) it keeps it from browning to quickly}
1 small spoonful of mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, or sour cream {I usually use sour cream because I am not a fan of Miracle Whip, but it depends on your taste}
1 tsp Lemon juice
1 spoonful of salsa {depending on the salsa used, you may need more, just add to taste}
Garlic salt to taste {from my experience, you don't need too much...}

{really, all the measurements are based on taste. find what you like best. Start small and go from there.}

{directions}
1. smash avocado with fork; add lemon juice and mix.
2. Add mayo and salsa and mix.
3. Sprinkle with garlic salt to reach the flavor you like.

{can add grated cheese and/or diced tomatoes to garnish.}


the after party... fun, fun... :)

St. Patty's Day

You might be wondering where I fell off the earth to... lets just stick to the story that school is very hectic this semester. One thing that has saved me is the dinner group we created... it saves on money and time (both scarce around here) and we get to spend a little while each evening with our dear friends.

So coming up in the next week is our annual green dinner party that we started my Sr. Year in high school (St. Patrick's Day). Now its growing and I need some ideas. I am looking for some good {preferably easier} dinner/ party food ideas that are green {or can be dyed with my favorite green food coloring ingredient}. Yellow is okay too, and if its Irish, it doesn't necessarily have to be the color green...

Also, another addition this year is possibly rainbow (as they go so well with leprechauns)... so does anyone have any ideas? Please?!

Valentines Delight! (Buca di Beppo at Home)

{so I know that I am super late in posting these but it is so delicious that I can't not post the secrets! Dinner was greatly inspired by a favorite family Italian restaurant: Buca di Bepo. In fact some of the recipes are from their kitchen! Dad and my husband were in charge of the main dish, my brother worked hard on the bread sticks, and my mom and I took on the dessert. It turned out to be a regular "Buca" experience at home! }

{Bucca di Bepo meatballs}

{ingredients}
2 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 c. Romano cheese- grated
3/4 c. dry Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
4 large eggs
2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. fresh garlic- chopped {my darling husband followed the recipe to exact measurements and we decided that this is a lot of garlic. I would only put in 2 or 3 cloves if you don't want to taste garlic for the next few days.}

-->

{directions}
1. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together.
2. Shape into meatballs the size of a golf ball - makes about 40 meatballs {seriously...}
3. set aside and let rest for 1 hour. {we didn't do this and they turned out alright... we just didn't have the time...}
4. Cook the meatballs in the meatball sauce {see note below}
5. Simmer for about 45 minutes.
{Meatball sauce} *to come later* {we decided that the sauce was way too greasy from the meatballs cooking in it... so we have discussed some alternatives... you can cook them in a different sauce and then add it, or you can bake them. That recipe will come later as well but you can click here when we find it...}

{Buttery Breadsticks}{this recipe is super easy and can easily be altered for personal preference}

{ingredients}
24 Rhodes Dinner Rolls- thawed but still cold
1/2 c. butter or margarine- melted
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese (the kind in the jar)
garlic salt- to taste

{directions}
1. Pour melted butter on a 11 x 17 baking sheet
2. Roll each roll to about 6" and then roll in butter until completely coated.
3. Place cheese in seperate bowl and roll buttered breadstick in cheese.

{we actually just sprayed the pan with nonstick spray and brushed some melted butter top and then sprinkled on the cheese, garlic salt and dried parsley}

4. Place breadsticks on baking sheet in 2 rows of twelve each.
5. Sprinkle with garlic salt if desired
6. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until double in size.
7. Remove wrap and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

{dessert: Chocolate Berry Trifle} {this is a fun and very easy delicious dessert to make. and if you do it right, beautifully gorgeous!}

*the whipped topping deflated a little but you get the idea



{Chocolate Berry Trifle} {these were absolutely delectable. The raspberry/chocolate combination provides a sweet desert with a little punch of tartness. Even my brother who was full decided to have one after a bite of mine.}

{ingredients}
3 c. cold milk
2 small packages instant chocolate pudding mix
8 oz cool whip- thawed
1 baked 9 x 13 brownie layer- cut into 1" cubes {see recipe I used below, but I'm sure a boxed brownie mix will work just as well}
2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries

{directions}
1. Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with a wire whisk for 2 minutes.
2. Gently stir in 1 c. whipped topping.
3. Place half of the brownie cubes in a 2 qt. serving bowl or trifle dish. {for this celebration we chose to use our goblet as personal trifle dishes and layered accordingly. Just make sure your serving dish is clear so you can see the layers, its part of the fun!}
4. Top with half of the pudding mixture, half of the raspberries, and 1 c. whipped topping. {my layers went as follows: brownie, pudding mix, a spoonful of raspberries, smigeon of whipped topping to act as glue for the next layer of brownies. repeat.}
5. Repeat layers.
6. Refrigerate 1 hr. or until serving {its better to wait to top it with whipped topping until you are about to serve. Ours kinda melted into the rest of it... not quite as pretty. We also topped ours with a little chocolate heart to add a little valentine flair!}

Makes about 12 servings

{Brownie} {i got this recipe from allrecipes.com . it says they always turn out, and they are truly tasty!}

{ingredients}
1/2 c. butter
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder

{directions}

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan. {i wanted thinner brownies so i doubled the recipe and used a 9x13 pan. i also used the Baking PAM that has flour in it already.}
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Beat in cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

{frosting} {for this dessert i did not make the frosting}
3 Tbsp. butter-softened
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. sugar

1. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

{chocolate hearts- directions}
1. melt some chocolate and put it into a bag {ziploc works just fine- just cut the tip of the corner off for a makeshift designer bag.}
2. Squeeze melted chocolate into any design onto a piece of parchment paper and let cool.
3. Place on a dessert to add a little fancy flair...

--> yes... the picture is upside down...

*Mmmm...

Valentine's Day sneak peak!

{for a special treat I will share the delicious delectables we consumed for our romantic day. Prepare yourself, words cannot accurately describe it... pictures come close, but you'll have to make it to fully appreciate it.}

*what a "love"ly table...


*the meal that awaits to be eaten

Holiday Hot Wassail

{i learned this recipe last year at a Macey's cooking class from a favorite teacher there. i am not one for hot wassail... but this recipe is absolutely wonderful! there is a mouthful of different flavors in every sip and its never boring! added bonus: *insert heavenly, cozy smell here* you really need to try it out, even if its just to smell the citrus-cinnamon-clove-ginger smells that emit from this delicious drink!}


{ingredients}
1 qt. orange juice
1 qt. apple juice {or apple cider}
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. ground cinnamon {i like to put in a couple of cinnamon sticks as well, adds a little texture to the display and a great scent in the house.}
1/8 tsp. ground cloves {you can also add a few whole cloves if that's what you like, just make sure you don't serve them up in the glasses.}
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 orange- cut into thin slices
4-5 thin slices fresh ginger root {secret ingredient}

{directions}
in a large pot, add all the ingredients and heat at a low simmer {not boil} for about 10-15 minutes. Serve warm with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.
{or}
in a crock pot add all ingredients and cook on low heat until warm.

**Here's the recipe in cute form! :)

{any of the seasonings are optional if you so desire, but it is a very different experience without it. the ginger might dissuade people, but its simple and really makes a huge difference! this recipe can be reheated for about a week so leave it on the stove, or in the pot and heat it up when you'd like a little bit of liquid heaven...}