All-Natural Egg Dyes

Sky Blue & Turquoise

4 cups water

1/4 red cabbage, sliced

1 tablespoon white vinegar

6 hard-boiled eggs

Lavender

4 cups grape juice

1 tablespoon white vinegar

6 hard-boiled eggs

Soleil

4 cups water

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons turmeric

6 hard-boiled eggs

For Sky Blue and Turquoise:

1. Place water and cabbage in an 8 qt. stockpot. Bring just to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain liquid into a large deep bowl or container and discard the cabbage. Add the vinegar to the liquid and stir to combine. Let mixture cool for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add the hard-boiled eggs to the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes for sky blue, or refrigerate overnight for a deeper turquoise color. When desired color is reached, gently pat eggs dry with a paper towel and keep refrigerated.

For Lavender:

1. Place grape juice and vinegar in a large deep bowl or container and stir to combine.
2. Add the hard-boiled eggs to the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes. Gently pat eggs dry with a paper towel and keep refrigerated.

For Soleil:

1. Place water, vinegar and turmeric in an 8 qt. stockpot, and stir to combine. Heat over medium heat until turmeric is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Pour liquid into a large deep bowl or container, and let mixture cool for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add the hard-boiled eggs to the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes. Gently pat eggs dry with a paper towel and keep refrigerated.

Tips

• Make the dyes in advance and keep them in the fridge. If making dyes the same day, be sure to let them cool for the suggested 15 minutes. The eggs will continue to cook if added to hot liquid.

• It really does take overnight to get the turquoise color, so make some eggs a day in advance to show this color.

• When ready to dye, hard boil the eggs in a stock pot. Rinse under cool water, and then submerge in the liquid dye. The warm eggs will more easily absorb the pigment.

• Be careful when handling dyed eggs as the natural dyes rub off more easily. Use a spoon to scoop them out of the liquid dye, and a paper towel to gently pat the eggs or set them in an egg holder to dry.