How to Make Greek Easter Eggs

Traditionally, Easter is one of the most important holidays to people with a Greek heritage. Everything is ceremonialized and imbued with a deeper meaning - even the red Greek Easter eggs, which are easy to make. Keep reading and you and your family can enjoy their color and meaning this spring season.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 Packet Greek Red Egg Dye
• 10- To 12-quart Cooking Pots
• 8 to 10 quarts water
• 1 teacup-full boiled water
• 4 oz. distilled white vinegar
• 1 tbsp. olive (not virgin) oil (optional)
• 2 dozen large white eggs

1. Order or purchase a packet or two of red egg dye. One of the best dyes is made by a company called Krinos.

2. Purchase 2 dozen large white eggs. Wash and dry the eggs thoroughly and examine them for any cracks.

3. Empty 1/2 packet of red dye into a teacup of just-boiled water. Stir until dye is completely dissolved.

4. Fill a 10- to 12-qt. cooking pot 3/4 full of water and add about 4 oz. of distilled vinegar. Bring the vinegar water to a boil.

5. Add the dissolved dye to the boiling vinegar water. As the mixture reaches a full rolling boil, froth will develop on the surface; skim this froth off before adding your eggs.

6. Put the desired number of eggs to be colored into the dye mixture and boil as you would normally prepare hard-boiled eggs, usually about 5 minutes. You may use all 2 dozen eggs if you like.

7. Remove the eggs from the heat and let them stand in the dye for several more minutes before taking them out of the water.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the entire packet of dye instead of just 1/2 the packet to achieve a deeper, more brilliant, red color.

• Polish each dyed egg with a soft cloth dipped in olive oil to achieve a soft sheen.

• Think of the meaning behind these eggs when you make them. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ that was shed to absolve the sins of man.

• Do not overboil your eggs and risk having one explode in the pot. One broken egg can easily contaminate the dye mixture and ruin the finish on all your eggs.