April 16, 2017
According to Wikipedia, “Easter eggs are decorated eggs that are usually used as gifts on the occasion of Easter or springtime celebration.” The oldest tradition is to dye or paint chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs wrapped in colorful foil, or plastic eggs filled with candy. Although eggs in general are traditionally considered a symbol of fertility and rebirth, to Christians Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb from which Jesus was resurrected. One ancient Christian tradition is to stain Easter eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ shed at that time of his crucifixion. This particular custom can be traced to the early Christians of Mesopotamia; from there it spread into Russia and Siberia through the Orthodox Churches, and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant Churches. The Christian symbolism may have also been influenced by pre-dynastic practices in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete.
And here’s my sure-fire method of hardboiling beautiful crack-less eggs:
Make sure the eggs are about a week old (this helps the hymen separate from the egg white easier when peeling finished eggs.)
If you’re only making a few eggs, place just enough eggs in your empty pot as can fit in one layer on the bottom (so they don’t rattle around or bounce when the water comes to a boil.) If you’re cooking a larger amount, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a basket I bought in the “As Seen On TV” department at Boscov’s for about $3 (a REAL help because I typically hardboil 3 dozen at a time so we have enough eggs for 3 adults for about a week.)
Add cold water to the pot until the eggs are covered by about an inch. Then add a couple of tablespoons of salt to the water (this is one of the secrets to keeping the eggs from cracking!) and turn your stove on medium to high heat until the water comes to a rolling boil.
When the water is really boiling, turn OFF the heat, cover the pot, and set your egg timer for 15 minutes then walk away…they'll continue cooking in the hot water.
If you’re using the basket I recommend* removing them from the water is EASY…simply lift the basket and place it in a colander or another pot while you discard the water, then put the basket BACK in the pot, add a few handfuls of ice cubes, then add enough cold water to cover the eggs and ice cubes (this stops the cooking process as quickly as possible.)
Once the ice cubes are melted, lift the basket out of the pot and place it in a colander or another pot while you discard the water again, then lay the eggs on a paper towel to dry for a few minutes. Store hardboiled eggs in the fridge.
* If you made just a few eggs, remove them from the water one at a time with tongs and place them in a colander while you discard the water, etc…you know what to do from here :o)
