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Hong dan (Chinese red eggs)
Hard-boiled eggs dyed lucky red and given out at a baby's full-month celebration
When a Chinese baby turns one month old, the family holds a full-month party and sends red eggs to relatives and friends: the round egg stands for new life and the red for luck and joy, and an even number is given for a boy in some families and an odd number for a girl in others. The eggs are shared by the guests and older children, peeled and eaten plain or with a little salt. This version dyes them with beetroot rather than food colouring. It contains egg. Chef's tip: dye the eggs while they are still warm and the shells take the colour much more evenly.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 12 eggswhite-shelled if possible, at room temperature
- 2 raw beetrootpeeled and grated
- 3 ¼ cups water
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Simmer 2 raw beetroot in 3 ¼ cups water for 15 minutes, until the liquid is deep crimson. Strain into a wide bowl, pressing the beetroot, and stir in 2 tbsp white vinegar.
15 minStep 2: Meanwhile, lower 12 eggs into a pan of simmering water and cook for 10 minutes, until hard-boiled with a firm yolk. Cracking them by dropping them in too fast is the common mistake: lower them gently on a spoon.
10 minStep 3: Lift the hot eggs straight into the beetroot dye, making sure they are covered, and leave for 15–30 minutes, turning now and then, until the shells are an even rosy red. For a deeper colour, leave them in the fridge overnight.
30 minStep 4: Dry the eggs on kitchen paper. Keep them in the fridge and eat within 5 days; peel just before eating.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 75 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 1 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does hong dan (Chinese red eggs) take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of white vinegar?
- Cider vinegar or rice vinegar, same amount.
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