Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Wednesday 19 March 2008

If you are baking this week, why not use any egg shells to make decorated eggs. These are two I decorated yesterday. To blow out your egg pierce a small hole at the top of the egg and a slightly larger one at the bottom - place a cup below and blow into the small hole at the top of the egg. The contents will pour out into the cup. You need quite a bit of puff to get it started. Rinse the eggs and dry thoroughly. Now for the clever bit. I have long admired the German craft of "Serviettentechnik" - I am sure that this probably exists in England already but I have never come across it - perhaps I have not spent enough time in Hobbycraft. Take a paper serviette with small designs and cut out motifs of your choice. The serviette is in three layers and you need to remove the bottom two layers, leaving you with just the design on a very thin piece of tissue. Paint your eggs (two coats - light colours work best) and leave to dry. Then place your tissue picture onto the egg and brush over pva (clear drying) glue - this acts as a varnish and will seal your picture on to the egg. Hey presto - a "hand painted" egg in no time at all! You can use this process on other items - I have a rather nice large stone as a doorstop decorated with pink and green roses.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm doing a raisin rabbit poo trail round new york for Amy this weekend xxx

Marie Rayner said...

WE always had raw eggs in our Easter Basket that my mom had stayed up late on the night before Easter and painstakingly coloured with crayons. I can remember on Easter morning pricking them with a pin so that we could blow the egg out from the insides and having scrambled eggs for breakfast. Then we would string the empty egg shells on yarn strings and wear them like a necklace all day trying to see who could end up the day with the least amount broken and the most intact! Happy Easter memories!