gasp . a nest . and a new centerpiece idea

I just came across this beautiful image via TasteSpotting. I love, love, love this idea created by Cuisine de saison. I imagine this would be so easy to evolve into a custom centerpiece idea. Instead of using herbs to create the design on the eggs, imprint a logo or initials. Click here for instructions. Warning: they are in French (for my English translation and revisions, see below – please feel free to correct me if I’ve made any mistakes). In order to create the negative image before dying, you’d need a flexible, non porous material. I’ll have to experiment with this one, but I would think that a wax paper or parchment paper (instead of herbs & flowers) would do. You’d probably need an exacto knife to cut the details into the paper.

Materials / Ingredients:
White hen eggs, vinegar, peels of approximately 2 kg of brown or red onions, 1 tsp of salt, sieve, large pot, herbs, flowers, egg white, twine or thread, oil, pair of old panty hose, egg white brush, large spoon.

Directions:
Cook eggs in boiling vinegar water for approximately 8-10 min; the pot must be large enough to contain all eggs on the surface of the water (i.e. don’t overcrowd the pot). Withdraw them, cool them in cold water, then wipe them with a soft rag.

Boil 2-3 litres of water with onion peels (or 30-40 g of black tea leaves) and salt. Let brew 20 min, then let cool. Test the intensity of the resulting color with a sheet of paper. If necessary, top up peels and boil again.

Using an old pair of nylon panty hose, cut a rectangle twice as big as the eggs. Paint the back of select herbs, leaves or flowers with egg white. Apply them delicately to eggs, then press down with your fingers.

Place the egg herb-side-up on the rectangle of panty hose. Gather the corners of the panty hose and tie with the thread as close as possible to the egg.

Using a sieve, remove the onion peels. Lower the hard eggs into the liquid with a spoon, allowing them to develop a coat of the dye (approximately 1-2 hrs). Move eggs from time to time to ensure an even coating. Remove them and briefly rinse. The dye can be used over and over.

Remove the panty hose, then detach the herb. Rinse eggs again under cold water and gently pat dry. Place them in a cardboard egg carton to dry. Rub them then with a rag lightly soaked in oil to polish.