TMTT: Deviled Eggs

Note:    Deviled eggs just seem to be one of those things that you have to have at Easter.      Probably because so many people are dying them and they don't know what else to do but make salads and such so they won't go to waste!   ha!     I grew up eating deviled eggs, but I didn't really love deviled eggs until I started making them this way. 

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients

5 eggs

1/2 cup Mayo

1 Tbsp. Mustard

1 Tbsp. Vinegar

Tabasco, to taste

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 slices bacon, fried crispy and crumbled

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

paprika

Directions

Boil your eggs.   Don't be intimidated... just place those eggs in cold water, pop them on the stove and turn on the eye.    After about 15 minutes, turn off the stove, cover the pan and let them sit while you make your filling!      Mix together your mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, tobasco, salt and pepper.    Rinse your eggs under cool water, peel them and slice in half lengthwise.     Remove the yolk and place in a small bowl and put the whites on a plate.   Dump one of the "white" halves in with your yolks.    Mash up the yolk mixture.      Mix your mayo mixture in with your mashed eggs.     Mix well.     Fold in bacon and shredded cheese.    Spoon into the egg whites.     No deviled egg is complete without a sprinkle of paprika on top!      Refrigerate until ready to serve.      What am I talking about?    Why wait... just eat those delicious babies!

I need some recipe inspiration.   I am headed over to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!    Come on, let's go!!

Eggsellent Decorating Ideas

Note:    Our kids will be out of school today so we will be getting together to decorate our eggs for Easter.    There are many ways to creatively decorate eggs.    Before you decorate, make sure your eggs are hard-boiled!

Eggsellent Decorating Ideas


Food Coloring

For each color measure 1/4 tsp. food coloring in small bowl.  Add 3/4 cup hot water and 1 tbsp. white vinegar to each color.  Add eggs and allow to sit until they are the desired color.  Remove with slotted spoon.
Polish dry eggs with small amount of cooking oil and soft cloth. 

Crepe Paper
Soak crepe paper (color of your choice) in hot water in individual bowls or cups for each color. Add eggs and allow egg to sit in water until he desired color is achieved. Remove with slotted spoon and allow egg to dry.

Masking Tape
Stick a pattern of masking tap on plain hard-boiled egg. Dip egg in egg dye and leave until desired color is reached. Remove with slotted spoon and air dry. Remove masking ape when dry. Leave masked areas white or dip again in another lighter dye.

Toothbrush
Pour some paint onto a disposable plate. Dip just the end of the toothbrush bristles into the paint and dot the egg with the paint. Let one side dry, and then do the other side.

Toothpick
Paint flowers on your eggs! Choose two colors of paint to decorate your egg and pour those paints on the disposable plate. To make the petals of the flower, dip about 1/4 inch of the toothpick into the paint, then lay the toothpick down onto the egg, making a petal. Repeat making petals, leaving a space in the middle for the flower center. Using a new toothpick and another color of paint, dip just the tip of the toothpick in the paint and dot the center two or three times. Let the egg dry.

Cotton Swab
Pour some paint onto a disposable plate. Dip just the end of thecotton swab into the paint and dot the egg, paint creative designs, or write message. Use a different end of the cotton swab for each color or mix them together to create a new color. Be creative!

Stickers
There are two options with eggs:
1.   Put pretty stickers on your eggs after you die your eggs.   (or)
2.   Put stickers on your eggs, die them and after they dry, peel them off to reveal the pattern.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns are the traditional recipe made on Good Friday because of the "cross" that are made with icing on top. If you Google hot cross buns you can find lots of lore concerning the history of these. Who knows which is true. I just know that I like to use anything I can to establish traditions for my boys which cement in their minds the true meaning of Easter even if it is a simple pastry.

Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp yeast
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
4 eggs
5 cup flour
1 1/3 cup currants or raisins
1 egg white

Glaze (you can use this one or your favorite)
1 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped lemon zest
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1-2 Tbsp milk

Directions:
Get your children involved: Let them help measure and mix the ingredients. They will enjoy kneading the dough, forming the dough into balls and adding the glaze.

In a small saucepan, heat milk to very warm, but not hot (110°F if using a candy thermometer). Pour warm milk in a bowl and sprinkle yeast over. Mix to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes.

Stirring constantly, add sugar, salt, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and eggs. Gradually mix in flour, dough will be wet and sticky. Continue kneading until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough "rest" for 30-45 minutes.

Knead again until smooth and elastic, for about 3 more minutes. Add currants or raisins and knead until well mixed. At this point, dough will still be fairly wet and sticky. Shape dough in a ball, place in a buttered dish, cover with plastic wrap and let rise overnight in the refrigerator. Excess moisture will be absorbed by the morning.

Let dough sit at room temperature for about a half-hour. Line a large baking pan (or pans) with parchment paper (you could also lightly grease a baking pan, but parchment works better). Divide dough into 24 equal pieces (in half, half again, etc., etc.). Shape each portion into a ball and place on baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

In the meantime, pre-heat oven to 400° F.

When buns have risen, take a sharp or serrated knife and carefully slash buns with a cross. Brush them with egg white and place in oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350° F, then bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack. Whisk together glaze ingredients, and spoon over buns in a cross pattern. Serve warm, if possible.

Hint: If you aren't a "baker", you can always open a can of knock'em on the counter cinnamon rolls and then use the included icing to form the cross on top after they are finished baking. The true purpose is to teach the Easter story... not show off your Baking skills!!

Cherry Cream Easter Egg

Note: Here is another type of cream Easter egg. It is a cherry version. Easy to make... yummy to eat!

Cherry Cream Easter Egg

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1/2 stick butter or margarine
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) vanilla pudding and (not instant)
1 (9 oz.) jar maraschino cherries
1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
1 to 2 lb. confectioners' sugar
1 lb. chocolate, melted


Directions:

Cut cherries in half; drain well on paper towels. Cook milk, butter and pudding in a medium saucepan on low heat until well blended and thick. Remove from stove and add cherries, nuts and enough sugar to make a thick consistency. Form the mixture into 8 to 10 egg shapes with hands coated in butter.

Place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Chill several hours until firm. Melt chocolate being careful not to scorch it. Frost egg with melted chocolate.

Peanut Butter Easter Eggs

Note: Even adults like to get a little "happy" on Easter morning. Why buy candy when you can make these delicious eggs that are delicious and say, "I love you!"


Peanut Butter Easter Eggs

Ingredients:
1/4 lb. butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 lb. confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 cups peanut butter
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
12 oz. milk chocolate candy melts, milk chocolate coating chocolate, or milk chocolate chips

Directions:
Mix the butter and cream cheese together. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix well. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt and mix until well-blended. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour. Form the peanut butter mixture into egg shapes, then refrigerate again for at least one hour. Melt the chocolate in a microwave oven or in a double boiler. Using a large toothpick, dip each peanut butter egg in the melted chocolate. Arrange the chocolate coated eggs on a waxed paper lined tray and allow the chocolate to harden. Place each peanut butter egg in a paper candy cup.

Resurrection Cookies

Note: One of the best recipes for Easter is Resurrection Cookies. It is such a visual way and hands on way to explain to kids the story of Easter.


Resurrection Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

On the Night Before Easter:

Preheat oven to 300F.*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED! Feels sad doesn't it? Explain to your kids that was the way that Jesus' followers felt when they had to leave Jesus in the tomb and it was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Easter... what a wonderful gift!

I hope that you will join me at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for more delicious recipes.

Easter Nest Treats

Note:    Tasty, cute and fun!   These make really cute place markers for your Easter table.  


Easter Nest Treats

Ingredients
12 oz. butterscotch chips or chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter

5 oz. Chinese noodles
speckled Easter egg candies or jelly beans AND Peeps (these are so CUTE!)

Instructions
Melt butterscotch chips, add peanut butter and blend. Add Chinese noodles and blend well. Form into nests on waxed paper and cookie sheet. Cool in refrigerator. Add jelly beans or speckled candies .  Top with a Peep Chick!

Cheetos "Carrot" Treats

Note: If you are a room mom for your child's school, you are constantly looking for ways to take cute and creative snacks. Cupcakes and cookies get old... fast. With Easter fast approaching I wanted to take something fun, but filling a cone shaped bag with jelly beans has been done a hundred times. It also can be expensive and the kids tend to throw them away because not a lot of kids like jelly beans. Cheetos are a very cute way to fill cone shaped bags. They are orange. Kids LOVE them and the results are adorable!


Cheetos "Carrot" Treats

Ingredients:
Crunchy Cheetos
Cone Shaped Bags
Twist Ties
Green Ribbon

Directions:
Fill bags 3/4 of the way with Cheetos. Tie off the bag with twist tie. Tie big green ribbon to be the "leaves".

Tell me... could there be a cuter snack for your child's class?

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