Tea Eggs for every Holiday

Tea eggs for every holiday? You bet! 

So for all you holiday loving people who are always looking for a fun way to serve your food.... here's a great one for you! 

I eat boiled eggs or deviled eggs all the time and I have found a great way to incorporate boiled eggs into every holiday with some colorful style. How you ask.... by making tea eggs instead of plain boiled eggs. Why would I want to do that? So I can fix them in all the colors of the holidays. Yessss! pretty idea! Or spooky idea, I don't know which. lol! But I do know that they always grace my Halloween table and Easter table every year.

You know.... 
Black: for Halloween
Orange: Halloween or Thanksgiving
Red: for Valentines or Christmas
Tan tea eggs: for Thanksgiving
Pastels: for Easter
Green: for Saint Patties Day
Blue, Red: 4th of July

They are also known as Marble Eggs:
Tea egg is a typical Chinese savory food commonly sold as a snack, in which a boiled egg is cracked slightly and then boiled again in tea, sauce and/or spices. It is also known as marble egg because cracks in the egg shell create darkened lines with marble-like patterns.

Here's how to make them
Fragrant and flavorful tea eggs are a traditional Chinese food. The original recipe uses various spices, soy sauce, and black tea leaves. A commonly used spice for flavoring tea eggs is Chinese five-spice powder, which contains ground cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, cloves and Szechuan peppercorns. Some recipes  do not use tea leaves, but they are still called "tea eggs". In the traditional method of preparation, eggs are boiled until they reach a hardened, cooked state. The boiled eggs are removed from the water, and the entire shell of each egg is gently cracked all around. Smaller cracks produce more marbling, visible when the egg is peeled for eating. The extra water from the boiling should be allowed to seep out of the eggs on its own. After about ten minutes, the cracked eggs are ready to be put into the prepared spiced-tea liquid and simmered over medium heat. This simmering allows the spiced fluid to seep into the cracks and marinate the eggs inside their shells. After about twenty minutes, the eggs and liquid are transferred to a glass or ceramic container for further steeping in a refrigerator. For best results, the eggs should be allowed to steep for at least several hours. The dark color of the spiced tea gives the egg a marbled effect when it is peeled to be eaten.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_egg
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You have to give this a try guys! 
It's so much fun!
Now I love how they look using tea in the water and I love how they taste using soy sauce in the water. But I have also made them using colored icing paste or food coloring when I was needing the egg to be a pastel color. They are always a hit at my house for Halloween and Easter. I also make a youtube video about it. Watch it here. https://youtu.be/cuP_-pu-okw
Pam
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Shop:
Flavored Tea Egg Spices / 1.69oz (pack of 3)
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Snapware 1098734 Snap 'N Stack 2-Layer Food Storage Container with Egg Holder Trays, Medium, Clear
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Better Breakfast with Protein Rich Eggs

Not all breakfasts are created equal when it comes to protein. One egg provides 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein, antioxidants and boasts only 70 calories. Research shows that 25-30 grams of high-quality protein per meal maybe optimal to maintain healthy muscles and bones for adults. Source: http://www.e...raphic.pdf

Click on photo to enlarge:

by ernestoolivares.

From Visually.

How to color Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes

I found this really cool chart on "How to color Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes" and thought I would pass it on. Found it just in time for Easter.

Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Smoky Brunch Pizza Recipe

By Pillsbury.com

Yesterday we talked about 4-ingredient-pizza-bake and today I'm posting pizza recipe #2 in honor of National Pizza Week. 

Now how many of you eat breakfast pizza? How many of you eat it with smoked salmon on top? Not many of us I would imagine. In fact I bet most of us wouldn't even think about putting salmon on pizza at all. Now for me... I love a thick salmon steak that's grilled with a baked potato smothered in butter and sour cream. Add fresh crusty bread and you have one of my favorite meals. Well last night we used up the last of the gas in our grill by grilling 3 salmon steaks. 2 for supper and 1 to put aside for breakfast this morning. I really wanted to give this recipe a try.

Happily the pizza turned out as pretty as the pillsbury picture. I was so surprised at how tasty it was. I have to tell you to.... I was "thrilled" about using the chives-and-onion cream cheese. Wow! Where have I been?? I can't tell you the ideas racing through my head on ways to use spreads now. LOL. I think next time I'll use a bit more than the recipe called for. Anyway, I can see why this pizza was named "brunch pizza". It would really be good served at a brunch. What do ya'll think?

INGREDIENTS:

1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
8 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (4 oz) smoked salmon, flaked
1/2 cup chives-and-onion cream cheese (from 8-oz container)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 12-inch pizza pan or 13x9-inch pan. Unroll dough; place in pan. Starting at center, press out dough with hands. Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until crust begins to brown.
2. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onions; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until tender.
3. In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk and pepper. Add egg mixture to skillet. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked but still moist. Fold in salmon. Remove from heat.
4. Spread cream cheese evenly over crust. Spoon cooked egg mixture over cream cheese.
5. Bake 9 to 12 minutes longer or until toppings are hot and crust is deep golden brown. If desired, garnish with additional green onions.

RECIPE: Breakfast Quiches to Go

RECIPE: Breakfast Quiches to Go 
Originally uploaded by Pillsbury.com

The hubby has been feeling very stressed at work and been working some really long hours. One of his favorite things to eat for breakfast is quiche and although I don't make it very often, I usually make the full size pie. While reading through pillsbury recipes I ran across this recipe that  they describe as hand held crescent cups. I think this recipe would be perfect for a light breakfast at 1:00am in the morning. I think he could use a warm comforting meal right now so I think I'm going to try these little personalized quiches.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated garlic butter crescent dinner rolls (8 rolls each)
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 3 Eggland's Best eggs
• 1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
• 1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 16 (2 3/4x1 1/4-inch) muffin cups with CRISCO® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.

2.Separate each can of crescent dough into 8 triangles. Press 1 triangle on bottom and up side of each muffin cup.

3.In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in onion, spinach, salt and pepper until well mixed. Fold in cheese. Fill each cup to the top with egg mixture (do not overfill).

4.Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and edges of rolls are golden brown. Remove from pan. Serve warm.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 18 to 23 minutes.

Recipe: Chicken Little Stuffed Eggs

Happy National Deviled Egg Day! 10/02  When I ran across these cute as can be Chicken Little Stuffed Eggs I knew they had "Celebration Food" written all over them. They would be perfect for National Deviled Egg Day. Perfect for any party in Spring. Easter would be a must to serve. Tea Parties would welcome the idea and Garden Parties would relish the theme. Even bird lovers would love this idea for National Bird Day and Wild Bird Feeding Month. Last but not least, baby showers would be beautiful with this hatching little idea. Pillsbury flyies high!

Recipe: Chicken Little Stuffed Eggs
Originally uploaded by Pillsbury.com

INGREDIENTS

8 eggs
5 drops blue, red or green food color, if desired
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon hot dog relish

DIRECTIONS

1. Place eggs in medium saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer about 15 minutes. Immediately drain; run cold water over eggs to stop cooking. Peel eggs.

2. In measuring cup or old coffee mug, combine 1/2 cup water and food color. Dip peeled eggs 1 at a time into mixture for several seconds until of desired color. Pat dry with paper towel.

3. Cut thin slice from wide bottom of each egg so it will stand straight. With small sharp knife, cut off top of each egg about 1/3 of the way down, either straight across or with small slanted cuts to make a sawtooth edge. Carefully remove top portion and yolk; reserve tops. Place yolks in small bowl.

4. Add mayonnaise and relish to yolks; mash and mix thoroughly with fork. With small spoon, refill large section of egg with yolk mixture, heaping filling. Top each with reserved top portion of egg. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled.
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Shop Deviled Eggs at Amazon.com

It's Eggs Benedict Day

eggs benedict.
Originally uploaded by ktdub.

When the craving hits:

When ever the hubby and I crave eggs benedict we head down to a local cafe in town that serves the very best. I love it with lots of sauce (not thin sauce either, thick sauce) and this cafe in Panama City never skimps on the sauce. It's perfect served with ham and home fries but eggs benedict is de-lish-us with canadian bacon, fish, salmon or any type of seafood like crab or shrimp. This rich sauce is very versatile. Hollandaise sauce is also delicious over asparagus or other cooked vegetables.

The hubby and I had the day off today so we spent a lazy morning drinking coffee and eating eggs benedict. We took our own sweet time and savored every minute of it too. I went for the home fries with mine but the hubby..... well he usually goes for the hashbrowns.

Egg Benedict Sauce Recipe:

* /2 cup butter
* 3 large egg yolks
* 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* dash cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce
* 2 tablespoons hot water

*1 teaspoon Dijon mustard is a nice additive too!
* finely chopped fresh parsley, if desired

Heat butter in a heavy saucepan until hot and foamy, but not browned. In a small bowl, whisk or beat egg yolks with lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Gradually beat in butter, then water. Return mixture to saucepan and beat over very low heat until mixture is slightly thickened. Serve immediately or let stand over warm water for up to 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Makes about 2/3 cup of hollandaise sauce.

Microwave Hollandaise
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 egg yolks
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
1 dash pepper
1/2 cup butter -- melted

Combine soup, egg yolks, lemon juice, mustard and pepper in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Slowly add the melted butter to the container while processing. Place in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring every thirty seconds.

Mock Hollandaise Sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook and stir until heated through. Do not boil.

White Wine Hollandaise Sauce
4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white cooking wine
1 cup butter, melted

In blender, combine egg yolks, lemon juice and cooking wine; blend until smooth. Continue blending, gradually adding butter, until thickened.

Today In History
In 1912, Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.

Something To Think About
You must not feel the burden of your failure. Go on in faith.

Today Joke
Why did the blonde take a ladder into the bar?
She heard the drinks were on the house.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Easter is here and it's a beautiful day here in Florida. The sun is shining and I'm sitting on my back steps enjoying a cup of morning coffee as I watch the birds and squirrels eating their Sunday breakfast that I put out for them. My 7 cats are enjoying watching them as well. hahaha!

The Easter eggs are drying on the kitchen counter and my Easter Basket is full of grass and ready to be filled with all the colors of the rainbow. I just love how pretty they look in a basket.

Easter was my Daddy's favorite holiday. Every time I see an Easter Egg I think of him and I guess I always will. Hiding those Easter Eggs each year was something that he looked forward to all year long. LOL! I can see him now.

The Easter Egg (http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/The_Easter_Egg.html)

As with the Easter Bunny and the holiday itself, the Easter Egg predates the Christian holiday of Easter. The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter was first celebrated by Christians.

In Pagan times the egg represented the rebirth of the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg, therefore, was believed to have special powers. It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil; pregnant young Roman women carried an egg on their persons to foretell the sex of their unborn children; French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new homes.

With the advent of Chrisianity the symbolism of the egg changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of man. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose.

When is Easter?

Easter is termed a movable Christian holy day because it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. Easter falls at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity), following the cycle of the moon.

Easter in the United States is celebrated on:

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Sunday, April 4, 2010

In Canada:

Easter Monday is celebrated on the following dates;

Monday, March 24, 2008

Monday, April 13, 2009

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Sunday is a time when families go to church.
In honor of that we thought we would list a few church funnies of REAL Advertisements that appeared in various church bulletins. ~giggle~

Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
Wednesday the ladies liturgy will meet. Mrs. Johnson will sing "Put me in my little bed" accompanied by the pastor.
Thursday at 5:00 PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All ladies wishing to be "Little Mothers" will meet with the Pastor in his study.
This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come foreward and lay an egg on the alter.
The service will close with "Little Drops of Water." One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.
Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come foreward and do so.
The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They can be seen in the church basement Saturday.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

An Easter Trilogy http://wandascountryhome.com/trilogy/
Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvRGLQqeVQ

Stephen & I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Easter. It's a wonderful day to spend with all your friends and family and make lots of loving memories that you can cherish for always. On this Easter Season I hope everyone does just that.
Make everyday a Holiday, Happy Easter to all! -Stephen & Pam