SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022
3B
THE COASTLAND TIMES
Make your own chocolate Easter bunnies Easter egg hunts and other ‘egg’ceptional traditions Easter is celebrated in various ways. Traditional religious commemorations include Saturday evening Easter vigils and Sunday morning Resurrection masses. Parents may spend Easter weekend putting the finishing touches on Easter Bunny baskets and many families favor a combination of traditions. Since religious as well as secular imagery and traditions have melded to form the Easter most individuals recognize today, a mix of customs may be part of your Easter festivities. Among them will be colored eggs, egg hunts and possibly even egg rolls. Just how was the Easter egg tradition hatched?
Pre-Christian societies
Before Christianity was as widespread as it is in modern times, many societies associated eggs with spring and new life. Many birds and animals lay eggs early in spring, and these eggs tend to hatch upon the arrival of the warm weather, budding flowers and buzzing insects. Ancient Persians are believed to have painted eggs for Nowrooz, their new year celebration that would fall on the spring equinox each year. Eggs also have been part of Passover celebrations. A hard-boiled egg dipped
in salt water is served at a Passover seder, symbolizing both new life away from oppression and the Passover sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem, according to Chabad.org.
Lent, Christianity and eggs
In medieval times, eating eggs was forbidden during Lent, when both dairy and meat were avoided. To reduce waste, eggs laid during Lent were boiled or preserved in some way. The fast ended on Easter Sunday, and eggs became, once again, important and nutritious staples — especially for families that couldn’t afford much meat. Eggs also were given to the church by medieval English villagers and also to the lords of the manor. Royals eventually got in on the act, and decorated eggs were distributed to the household in a tradition that was one of the earliest to include eggs.
Egg hunts and more
Some historians suggest that egg hunts can be traced back to German Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who organized egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This symbolized the story of Christ’s resurrection, when the tomb was discovered
by women. The eggs also represented Jesus’ new life and his emergence from the tomb. Egg hunts are not the only egg-related games that were hatched for Easter celebrations. According to the website Learn Religions, some European children go from house to house begging for Easter eggs, like children may ask for treats on Halloween. The custom is called “pace-egging,” a term derived from the old word for Easter, “Pasch.” Egg rolls also are symbolic of rolling away the stone from Christ’s tomb. Various countries have their own rules on egg rolls. In Germany, for example, children roll their eggs down a track made from sticks. Easter eggs are an integral symbol of the holiday that hold both secular and religious meaning.
Eight tips for dyeing Easter eggs Coloring eggs is a beloved Easter tradition. Eggs long have been symbols of fertility and rebirth, making them fitting icons for spring. One story links eggs to Easter as well. According to some religious scholars, Mary Magdalene, the woman who was the first person to see Jesus Christ after His resurrection, was holding a plain egg in her hand while waiting for the emperor to share the good news. The emperor then told her that Jesus’ resurrection was as improbable as that egg suddenly blushing. The egg then turned red. Dyeing eggs is an entertaining activity, but one that also may have some religious significance. Many
families will color eggs this Easter and these guidelines can help make the process go smoothly. – Wait until just before coloring to hard-boil eggs. Good Housekeeping recommends boiling eggs for 11 minutes for a hard boil. Do not chill the eggs afterward; warm eggs absorb color more effectively for more vivid results. – Egg dye can stain furniture, clothing or tablecloths. Therefore, dress in clothing that you’re not worried about staining. Also, cover work surfaces with an old tablecloth and newspapers to soak up any spills. – Make a drying rack to ensure that eggs will dry evenly. This can be a rimmed cookie sheet lined with layers
of paper towels to absorb any excess dye that runs off the eggs. Or push pins into thick foam board and place the eggs on top to allow air to circulate. – Consider using glass bowls or ceramic mugs to house the colored dye solutions. These vessels are more sturdy than plastic cups and less likely to be overturned by eager young hands. – Scissor-style tongs are
ideal tools for retrieving eggs from the dye. Eggs tend to slide off of the spoons or wire rings provided in kits, leading to splashing and kids dunking their fingers in to grab eggs. – Stir dyeing cups often to guarantee consistent color. – Use electrical tape to make patterns on Easter eggs. Dip the eggs and let
See Tips, 4B
The Easter bunny is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries. Symbolizing fertility and wealth, the Easter bunny became a holiday standard in Germany during the 16th century. The custom of chocolate eggs came along centuries after the Easter bunny, originating in the 19th century in France and Germany. As Easter celebrations evolved, chocolate eggs were not the only delicacy; chocolate Easter bunnies also were shared and enjoyed. While there are scores of mass-produced chocolate bunnies available for purchase, and local establishments also make Easter bunnies and other sweet treats, families may want to try making their own chocolate Easter bunnies this year. This can be a family-friendly activity that favors togetherness with the promise of a sweet reward. 1. The first step to creating chocolate Easter bunnies is to select the type of chocolate you prefer. Bunnies can be made from white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even a combination for a marbleized effect. Chocolate melts, chips or chocolate couverture are widely available at some local grocery stores, as well as specialty chocolate and food shops or craft supply stores, according to DoItYourself.com. This simplifies the bunny-making process. Some retailers also may sell bunny-making kits that pair the chocolate melts with the mold in one box for ultimate convenience. 2. Craft stores also have aisles devoted to culinary crafts. Browse to find an Easter bunny mold. Some may sell solid chocolate bunnies or hollow varieties. Choose molds in the desired size, as bunny molds may be large or small. 3. Follow directions to melt chocolate successfully. Some chocolates can be slowly melted in the microwave. A double-boiler method, in which the chocolate is melted in a bowl placed above a pan with boiling water, can help the chocolate melt consistently and prevent it from burning. 4. Pour the chocolate into the mold and gently tap the mold so that it displaces air bubbles and helps the chocolate settle evenly into the design. Allow the chocolate to set up in the refrigerator. If your mold is hollow, you can seal the two halves of the bunny with a little melted chocolate on the seam. Creativity can be unleashed when making homemade chocolate bunnies. Experiment with adding a few drops of peppermint oil or orange liqueur to customize the flavor. Before sealing hollow bunnies, place peanut butter or raspberry jam inside for a tasty surprise. Use colored candy melts to add colorful eyes or cheeks or to tint the inside of the bunny ears. For an even more festive effect, seal a lollipop stick in a chocolate bunny and use it to secure the Easter bunny to the top of a cake.
Easter
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022
4B
THE COASTLAND TIMES
Reflections by the Sea
Cheerful dessert brings smiles to Easter celebrations The fresh, bright flavor of lemon can bring a cheery ambiance to any occasion when it makes an appearance in delicious recipes. Lemon essence seems ripe for spring and summer entertaining and can feature prominently in Easter desserts. Such is the case with this recipe for “Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake” from “The Pampered Chef® Stoneware Inspirations” by The Pampered Chef® Test Kitchens. Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake Yield: 16 servings 1 1 ⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1 ⁄2 cups granulated sugar 2 tablespoons lemon zest 2 tablespoons poppy seeds 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 3 ⁄4 cup (1 1 ⁄2 sticks) butter, softened (do not substitute margarine) 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 eggs 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Powdered sugar (optional)
Easter
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” – John 11:25 NIV What is Easter? The dictionary says it is “an annual Christian festival in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed on the first Reflections Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.” I reflected back on my youth and Easter was something I was confused about. When I was a child, Easter meant I would get a new Betsy Ore Glass “Sunday School outfit,” complete with new patent leather shoes and a hat. There would be plenty of picture taking with the old Brownie camera, and it would abruptly end when my Daddy ran out of flashbulbs! We didn’t know any better then but we would put our Easter baskets, laden with chocolate, in the sunny rear window of the car while we went to Sunday school and church. A melted chocolate mess always greeted us and my little white gloves didn’t stay white for long! Good memories from those years. As I got older, I understood enough of the “Easter story” to learn that Jesus was brutally treated and my heart ached for Him. I saw a painting at church of Jesus at the cross and it traumatized me. I didn’t understand the celebration. Easter was no longer anything I embraced. And then years later, I was taught about everlasting life and realized Easter was something to rejoice and great joy filled my heart. The real significance of Easter often
4. Place cake on serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or prepare a glaze, if desired.
from sides of pan; carefully invert onto a cooling rack, keeping pan over cake. Cool completely.
Tips, from 3B dry. Afterwards, remove the tape to reveal the designs. – If food coloring-based dyes seem too messy, use watercolor paint sets and allow everyone to get creative. While some people may want to use Easter eggs for recipes later on, it may be safer to boil up a fresh batch of eggs for that purpose, even if it seems
wasteful. According to Emily Rubin, RD, LDN of the Thomas Jefferson University Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and discarded if left out for more than two hours at room temperature.” Chances are it may take two hours or more for children to find hardboiled eggs hidden by the Easter bunny.
COLOR ME
gets set aside in favor of Easter egg hunts, the Easter bunny, candy and more. Those things are wonderful and our family will be doing all those things. But there is more. Everything about Easter begins with love. Jesus loved us so we could live. He still loves us. All ages can understand that. Our job as Believers is to share this new beginning, The Good News, with anyone who hungers for it and walk along side of them in love. The love that springs forth from Easter is not just for a day. It is for a season. Praying that God works through each of us to put us in situations that we can share and spread His Love. Happy Easter! Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.
Weekly Devotion – John 16:16 simply have to enObviously, I Devotions didn’t want dure this life, that the fun to end, we struggle now but I suppose and one day we will I knew it had be rewarded. Jesus to. And when came to bring us a I was told we better life here and had to leave, eventually the richI went and got es of heaven. But be in the car, but careful, that better I was not haplife here will not look like the world py about it. Mike Caton ex pe c t s. There But it seemed to me my parents would is no promise of ease, of drag their feet then, talking abundance, of prosperiand laughing and just not ty here. But with the Holy being quite ready to leave. Spirit in us, we can know I always wondered why peace, contentment, hope, they didn’t just get in the love, joy, and so forth. And car and go home. I guess I when we consider those am still a little bit that way, things, what more could we when it is time to leave, it ask for? But don’t kid youris time to leave, there is no self, the best is yet to come. need to drag it out, let’s just Father, thank you for load up and go. brighter days. In Jesus’ Maybe I realized, even name, amen. at that young age, we’d Mike Caton is the preachsee each other again. That er at Mount Olive Church of there would be more good Christ in Belhaven. He voldays and fun times. Jesus unteers at the Ponzer Fire is promising the disciples, Department and works and us as well, many more part time with Hyde Coungood days. In fact, the good ty EMS. If you would like to days he is promising are receive daily devotions in beyond our imagination. your inbox, email mikecaThis is not to say that we ton@centurylink.net.
John 16:16, Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” In the rest of this chapter Jesus promises the disciples that better days are coming. This is something that we all need to remember. Jesus has been talking about leaving these men and about the Holy Spirit coming to them. But it seems they have been focusing on the leaving part, and who can blame them? They have been with Jesus for three years now, night and day. They have listened to him, followed him, depended on him for pretty much everything and he has directed every step they have taken. (Even though they have taken a few missteps along the way.) And now he is leaving them. I remember my parents taking me to my friend’s house to play when I was a little kid. Oh, we had the best time, but eventually it was time to go home. I hated those minutes.
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray any bundt cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder and salt in a 2-quart mixing bowl; mix well. In a 4-quart mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese on high speed of hand-held electric mixer 1 minute. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed 1 minute or until blended (mixture will form a stiff paste). 2. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla just until blended. Add egg mixture to cream cheese mixture in four additions, beating 2 minutes after each addition. (Do not undermix.) 3. Pour batter into pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until a cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake
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