Chinese Red Egg Recipe

As a Chinese tradition, following the birth of children, red eggs are made and sent to all close family members and sometimes close friends. In addition, it is a common tradition to have red eggs made for the first month birthday of a newborn to celebrate the hardest month of a person's life. It is also fun for parents whom are planning to adopt from China.

Here is the recipe that can be used to make your own red eggs. There are a few different ways to color an egg red so here are the different methods that we have tried and proved to work out good.

1. Use a Paas red tablet from an Easter egg package. These packages are always on sale right after Easter, so if you plan ahead these can be purchased and saved for up to a couple of years. First of all, boil all the eggs that you need. Usually one tablet can make around 2 dozen! Follow the instructions on the package, most either use a cup of water or cup of vinegar mixed with the tablet to create the coloring. For a deeper colored egg, let the egg sit for around five minutes in length. With a slotted spoon or the egg scoop that comes with the Paas package, remove the eggs from the dye and place on paper towel to allow them to dry completely. If possible, we try to allow the eggs to dry in the container which the eggs were purchased in from the store.

2. European egg dye can be purchased online or in most Italian or Greek stores. This dye is usually used for holy days however can be used for this celebration also. These European dyes all require different directions, so make sure to follow the directions.

3. "Rite" all-purpose concentrated fabric dye also works great! You can purchase this dye from most fabric stores or even some grocery stores. They are usually in the sewing sections of the grocery stores in my area. You might have to ask around in your area though. Purchase the scarlet color, and the eggs will come out a wonderful deep red color that sticks to the eggs. Basically add 1/2 package of scarlet (No. 5), 2 tablespoons of vinegar, along with to 2 quarts of water in a large saucepan. Place it on top of the stove and bring to a boil. Once there is a rolling boil, place the boiled eggs in the water. Pay special attention to the eggs though, since you do not want to over boil them. With a slotted spoon, remove the eggs and place on paper towels or empty egg cartons. Since this is fabric dye, it does take a while to dry completely. Please let the eggs dry for a few hours before touching since the dye will come off on your clothes and fingers - which will stain.

4. Red food color dye from the kitchen can be used also. Combine around five drops of red food dye along with one cup of vinegar in a bowl. Then proceed with the coloring of the eggs such as you would with the Paas Easter egg dye kit.

Always remember to boil the eggs before dying. Boiling after the eggs have been dyed will remove the coloring. In addition, remember to always allow the eggs to dry completely before touching. If there are children in the household at the time of coloring, remember to place the eggs at a higher location than can be reached, so no little hands meet the colored eggs. Red hand prints will not look "cute" on the white carpet or hard wood flooring. Once the eggs are dry, place them in the refrigerator to stay cool. Boiled eggs should not be kept outside a cool place for too long of a period of time. In addition, remember to bring the eggs out of the refrigerator at least thirty minutes before guests come to visit. Moisture will grow on the eggs; therefore it is important to give it thirty minutes to come to room temperature once again.