eggs and cheese

1. Gently place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover eggs with 1 inch of water. Cover pan and bring just to a boil, over high heat. Remove from heat and let stand about 15 mins. (Adjust time up or down by 3 mins. for each size larger or smaller.)

2. After 15 min. pour off the hot water and rapidly cool eggs by running them under cold water (or place in ice water) until completely cooled.

3. Combine 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and specified number of food color drops, listed below, in a cup to achieve desired colors. Repeat for each color. Dip hard-cooked eggs in dye for about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon, wire egg holder or tongs to add and remove eggs from dye. Allow eggs to dry.

Makes 12 colored eggs

Color Suggestions: Lime: 24 yellow, 4 green; Purple: 15 blue, 5 red; Cantaloupe: 24 yellow, 2 red; Jade: 17 green, 3 blue; Plum: 10 red, 4 blue; Raspberry: 14 red, 6 blue; Watermelon: 25 red, 2 blue; Teal: 15 green, 5 blue; Fuchsia: 18 red, 2 blue; Spearmint: 12 green, 6 yellow, 2 blue; Maize: 24 yellow, 1 red; Grape: 17 blue, 4 red; Orange Sunset: 17 yellow, 3 red; Jungle Green: 14 green, 6 yellow.

Variations:
Two-tone: Dip top half of hard-cooked egg in 1 color and the bottom half in another.

Painting eggs: Combine 20 drops food color and 1/2 tsp. vinegar in small container. Paint hard-cooked eggs with a paintbrush or cotton swab.

Designing eggs: Place rubber bands, stickers, or reinforcements on the egg before dyeing to create the design of choice. Once dry, remove the rubber bands, etc., to view the design.

Personalize eggs: Write names or draw pictures on the egg with a white or light colored crayon before dyeing.

This recipe created by McCormick, Inc.