Louisiana Say ‘No’ to Cracked Easter Eggs – Here’s How

(KMDL-FM) A recent query on the social media site Facebook asked Louisiana residents "What have you decided about "eggs" for Easter? Too expensive? Going plastic? Using boudin balls"?

And despite what you have heard about the high cost of eggs these days, most of the commenters were not flustered by the prospect of paying more to continue an Easter tradition at their homes.

One commenter on the social media post even said "If my grandchildren want to dye eggs, that's what we will do". And there is one more great reason why you should hug your grandmother and grandfather every chance you get. They understand that life isn't about how much you pay, it's about the value you give.

What is the Current Average Price for Eggs?

The average price for a dozen large eggs is still well above what most of us are used to paying for them. That means, if you do choose to boil for Easter Egg dying, you'll want to make sure you get those eggs boiled and dyed without cracking. And there are a couple of ways you can do that.

One school of thought suggests that simply adding a teaspoon of vinegar will help prevent the shells from cracking and emitting the unsavory white goo that leaks out when you are attempting to color them. It's important that you add the vinegar before you turn the burner on beneath your pot filled with water.

Another tip for crack-free eggs suggests that you put the eggs in a single layer on the bottom of your pot. Then add tap water. Not warm tap water or hot tap water, just room temperature tap water. Then slowly bring the eggs to a boil. Let them be a part of a rolling boil for one minute. Then remove the pot from the heat.

Leave the eggs in the pot of hot water for about 20 or 30 minutes and as soon as they are cool enough to handle, they are ready to be dyed. Those who use this method swear by it. I have tried it, and it does work but the wait is enough to drive you crazy. Especially if you have excited children standing by with a coffee cup full of blue die and a questionable wire-rimmed spoon thing.

Should Eggs Be Refrigerated Before Dying?

There are some who suggest you refrigerate your eggs before you boil them. There is something about the way the cooler temperatures affect the inside of the egg creating less stress on the shell. I can neither confirm nor deny this assumption but I will say every egg I have ever dyed came straight from the 'fridge.

Frankly, I really don't care about dying eggs or hiding eggs. I am more concerned with making Deviled Eggs for Easter Lunch. I know that sounds a bit blasphemous, those kinds of eggs on Easter but you know the "devil" in Deviled Eggs has nothing to do with that guy, right?

Find out more about the history of "devilling" eggs and other things here.

And don't forget to share your pictures of your artistic interpretations of food coloring on eggshells this weekend, we'd love to see your best work and that one egg that always gets dunked in every darn color. We call that the "golden egg" at our house.

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