Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Stress-Free Entertaining Tips for Easter Holiday

Many families get together for a special holiday meal this time of year. The key to stress-free entertaining is efficiency and planning. Start with a beautiful centerpiece made with eggs. Painted or stenciled, covered with seeds or beads, decorated eggs look great arranged in baskets or bowls or even hung on a little tree. Let your imagination run wild.

An egg centerpiece will be unique, but won't break the bank.

Eggs are a prefect symbol for spring and new beginnings, and have traditional significance. Get the whole family involved in decorating blown-out eggs with whatever dried materials you have on hand. Buy some craft glue and you're all set. You don't have to be artistic to create eggs-quisite design. The kids will love it, you'll be surprised at how addicting it becomes for the adults.

Start by washing and drying the egg. Then make a hole in both ends by pricking three or four times with a darning or regular needle. If you want to use the contents of the egg later, don't forget to sterilize the needle. Once you've punched a hole, stick the needle down inside the egg and move it around to make sure that both shell membranes and the yolk are broken.

Hold the egg over a bowl or storage container. Press the bulb of a kitchen baster against the small end to punch air into the egg, forcing the contents into the bowl. When the shell is empty, rinse it in cold water and let it dry. Be careful  the shell is fragile.

Gather a selection of whatever materials you like. Almost anything will work, so be creative. Start with staples like sesame seeds, lentils, kidney beans, split peas, rice, barley, and oats. Then try experimenting with wild rice, wheat berries, navy beans, cracked wheat, couscous and cloves.

Apply craft glue to about one-fourth of the egg shell at a time, using the nozzle of the glue container or a small paintbrush. Arrange your choice of seeds and beans in decorative patterns on each egg shell. Set aside until the glue dries which can take up to two hours. You'll be thrilled with the results.

So what can you do with the eggs that are emptied from the shells? Any number of things. You can use them immediately in a fully cooked dish such as casserole, custard or baked good. Or freeze for later use by beating the eggs until blended and pouring them into freezer containers labeled with the number of eggs and the date. When you are ready to cook them, thaw in the refrigerator and use promptly.

Once the decorated eggs are thoroughly dry, you'll discover all sorts of ways to display them. Why not nestle them in some sand, brown rice or seed mounded attractively on a plate? Or arrange them in a lovely inexpensive centerpiece that reflects your unique talents.

For more information on the many uses of eggs, contact the Clark County Extension office in Arkadelphia at 246-2281.