Red Eggs for Pascha

I love dyeing my Paschal eggs! Here are my directions for deep, beautiful red Paschal eggs.

1. I start with Trader Joe (Wilcox) large, brown eggs. I switch out any blemished eggs with other cartons until I have 3 dozen, unblemished brown eggs. Buy as many as you like!
2. Buy the egg dye from our bookstore. In 2010, each packet only made a quart of water, but you need enough packets for 4 quarts of water, so look at the directions to make sure you purchase enough dye. Dye brands change from year to year. You can ‘share’ this pot of water with others if you wish to make this a shared activity : ~ )
3. Set out your eggs the morning you plan to dye them, or run them under warm water for 10-15 minutes, so they are less likely to crack (very important)
4. Set out the following items :

-A large, deep pot (I use stainless steel)
-White vinegar
-Dye packets
-A pair of plastic gloves
-A large, slotted metal spoon
-A dinner bowl or two
-Your room temperature eggs
-A blow dryer (optional)

4. Pour 1/2 the recommended amount of water into the pot (that is all you will use). I use 2 quarts of water. One to two packets will normally suffice, but this year you needed 4 packets for rich color.
5. Turn the heat on high, and stir until the dye is dissolved.
6. When the dye is dissolved, add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar per packet used.
7. When the water comes to a boil, turn it down to low. With the slotted spoon, gently place your eggs, side by side into the pan (one layer only).
8. Let them boil gently for 25 minutes (set the timer). The lowest setting works for my stove. Gently stir the water on top of the eggs now and then to make sure dye doesn’t settle unevenly on them. Use a bowl to place your utensil on, as this is potent dye and will stain your counters!
9. When the timer goes off, set your pan on newspaper or protective surface on your counter, with a dinner bowl near by. Put on your plastic gloves. With the slotted spoon, scoop out one or two eggs and suspend them over a dinner bowl. Blow dry them (or blow on them) until dry. (Keep the blow dryer away from the pot!! We want you at the Midnight Service!!)They will dry VERY quickly. Place them in the bowl, and turn them over using your gloved hands, and dry the bottom of the eggs. When they are dry, place them back in the egg carton. Continue until all the eggs are dry. I do not oil them.
10. Set your dye back on the stove and heat again until boiling. STIR again. Repeat the above steps, making sure to stir gently once or twice to dye the eggs evenly.
11. When finished, leave the eggs out, carton open, until cool (refrigeration affects the look of the eggs.) I dye my eggs on Holy Saturday. I was told they can be left out for up to three days.
12. Also, Paraskevi said if you let your dyed water cool, you can place it in a glass jar and re-use it for Ascension. Neat, huh?!

Submitted by Presvytera Aspasia