Saturday, April 23, 2011

Chow Mein Noodle Nests and Happy Easter To You!


I'd like to wish all of you who celebrate, a very Happy Easter! I will be hosting Easter dinner here on Sunday with our family and decorations and preparations are under way! Easter and spring are a time of renewal and rebirth (although spring has been excruciatingly slow to arrive here this year!). Eggs and nests are perfect symbols of the season. These Chow Mein Noodle Nests were made for my families upcoming Easter dinner and you will find the recipe below


Once again, I made natural dyed Easter eggs using onions skins, herbs and early flowers from the garden.



I picked pansies from the pots on the front porch and other early flowers from the garden like scilla and dwarf irises and included some parsley and other leafy herbs to decorate my eggs.  The flowers/herbs are placed on the unboiled egg, then it is wrapped in onion skin.
 

The next part takes a little patience. The egg and the flowers or leaves are carefully wrapped tightly in either nylon stockings or muslin cheesecloth. You need about 3 hands to do this but perfection isn't important. Then they are lowered into simmering water and allowed to gently simmer for about 30 minutes. 


I had an unexpected surprise this year after my eggs were finished cooking.  I didn't have time to unwrap the eggs when they were done so after cooling them in an ice bath and draining them, I put them, still wrapped in onion skins and cheese cloth, into the refrigerator overnight. They turned out more vivid and colorful than ever after their overnight stay in the frig!


I also tried growing real Easter grass for another Easter table decoration this year. I lined a favorite bowl with a double thickness of plastic wrap, filled it with vermiculite and then added grass seed.  The bowl was then covered with another sheet of plastic wrap until the seed began to sprout.. I then kept it misted with water each day. It was amazing how quickly it grew in just one week!


There will be more eggs nestled in this grassy 'nest'. 


Here is the recipe for the Chow Mein Noodle Nests. They were not only cute but the nests are delicious too!

Chow Mein Noodle Nests


One bag of white chocolate chips
One bag of chow mein noodles
Sweetened coconut - toasted lightly in the oven
Candies to fill the baskets such as Jordan Almonds or M&Ms

Melt a bag of white chocolate chips in the microwave.  Add chow mein noodles and some toasted coconut.  Stir to coat, and press the mixture against the bottom and sides of a non-stick 12 cup muffin tin sprayed with additional non-stick spray. Cool in the refrigerator and then gently remove with a knife.  Jordan almonds fill these edible nests. 

My best wishes Easter wishes to you whether you celebrate with an Empty Nest, Partial Nest or a Full Nest!

~Susan 

59 comments:

  1. Partial nest here Susan! My oldest in on vaca. Your eggs are beautiful and they look great in the grass! Happy Easter-enjoy:@)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, Susan, your eggs came out so nice! I tried this technique a couple of weeks ago but my patterns did not come out bold enough. Yours are beautiful and so creatively displayed!

    I like the idea for the nests too. I have been tempted using chocolate and pretzel sticks instead of the chow mein noodles. (our kids didn't care for them).

    Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. They turned out very pretty. I have never tried dying eggs like that before.
    Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Susan, your eggs turned out beautifully. I did some that way several years ago, but they weren't nearly as vivid and pretty as yours. I'll remember to leave them in the fridg next time. It's empty nest here, but we'll be with my aunt and cousins for Easter,
    Happy Easter to you, too.
    Babs

    ReplyDelete
  5. A superb post..everything is just beautiful..All will be appreciated..Those eggs:) the grass..Tout es si beau..

    happy Easter to you too:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Susan, these creative displays are just spectacular....EGGcelent, even! ;-p LOL

    I've always wanted to use real grass for Easter & I even bought some wheat grass last month. It grew so tall, you'd never see the eggs! I threw it away. Your REAL grass is just perfect!! I ♥ it!

    Happy Easter, Honey!
    fondly,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love everything in this post Susan!Happy Easter dear, a warm hug...

    ReplyDelete
  8. The eggs are so pretty! I love the color! Everything is beautiful, and I'd expect no less, just beautiful :)
    Happy Easter, Susan, to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The eggs are wonderful!! This is the first year, in many, that I have not done eggs. I am "filing" your nests with Jordan almonds for next year. What a great idea!

    Have a wonderful Easter with your loved ones.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Susan all look amazing and beauty, Happy Easter to you! gloria

    ReplyDelete
  11. ciao Susan!!bellissimo questo post!!!tanti auguri di Buona Pasqua a te e a tutta la tua famiglia!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. All beautiful! I love the eggs. My grandmother used to dye with onion skins too - minus the designs. I love the grass you and Debbie have done. I will have to try and remember that for next year. Its so fresh and pretty. Wishing you and your family a very happy Easter Susan!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Susan

    This is the way eggs are dyed in Lebanon (or at least it used to be): with onion (red) skins and hay!
    Love the eggs, the grass and the little nests! I was planning to make some nests myself, but it looks like I won't have time!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Susan, I love your decorations, they are so natural and beautiful! Thanks for stopping by, it's so funny we have the same bunnies! Happy Easter!

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your eggs are beautiful! I love onion skins for eggs, but yours have some extra colors from the flowers, which just sets them off beautifully. Sweet little nests...guess that's a bad pun. Happy Easter to you...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your eggs are stunning! I would love to try this sometime. Thanks for the inspiration!
    and the grass is terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joyful Easter wishes and blessings of the season to you and your family, Susan. Oh my, those eggs are pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Golly Susan, those eggs are so pretty!!! I am in love with that color. So much richer than with bottled dyes. Hope you have a fab holiday and find all the eggs!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Susan, the eggs in the basket match your beautiful counter top ;o) I tie dyed some eggs, and just like your technique, you need 3 hands to do it! We were both thinking fresh grass this Easter! Happy Easter to you and your family! The chow mein noodle nests are darling.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Now you need a teeny tiny lawn mower! I remember years ago Martha showed how to do grass so you could serve your Easter lamb on it. I never remembered early enough!
    I saw her video this morning, and did a few eggs with red onions skins, they didn't come out as nice as yours. I think I like the pale pastels better.
    If I had some red cabbage I would have tried that.
    She also showed how to use stickers and remove them so it left a def pattern.
    Your nests are cute! One of the Kdgn teachers used to do them every year with the kids. We were always afraid to eat them, I don't think she made them wash up first!And they weren't pretty like yours!
    Have a wonderful Easter , I am sure it will be lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Everything is absolutely beautiful! Happy Easter to you and your family. Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  22. Everything is so beautiful..make sure you take a photo of your table! Absolutely love the bowl you used for your grass..between you & Debbie, make sure you give us a heads up on it next Easter. You've given me some great ideas for NEXT year!!
    Wishing you, John and your family a very Blessed Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  23. beautiful eggs and great technique have a wonderful family meal hugs

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, these are the loveliest Easter eggs I've seen! I love that you used all natural colorings. The bed of grass and your nests--beautiful!

    Happy Easter to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  25. You are so creative and talented Susan. All of your decorations are lovely. Have a most blessed Easter celebration with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wonderful pictures and beautiful eggs. Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What beauttiful natural decorations Susan. Great photos;nyou have the magic touch. Happy Easter to you and your family.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love all of your decorations and the eggs are absolutely gorgeous! Have a great day today!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy Easter to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a delightful post! Love your eggs and nests. Having never tried either, they are on my list for next year. My MIL made the kids Easter baskets one year using freshly sown grass. The kids (now 35 and 30) remember them to this day. Happy Easter. Please come visit if you have a chance, I'm having a monogrammed napkin giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The eggs and nests look wonderful! Happy Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Delighting to see this nests with such great died eggs! I will be taking note for next year! The children are going to remember this forever!
    Happy Easter
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  33. These pictures are all so pretty! Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  34. What an awesome idea! That is one of the coolest Easter traditions I have ever seen.

    ReplyDelete
  35. How beautiful. Happy Easter to you and your family.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy Easter! I like how glossy the eggs turned out! They beautiful and the color is so sophisticated!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy Easter! What beautiful decorations! Love the eggs!

    ReplyDelete
  38. It sounds like your Easter was filled with joy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I enjoy your blog very much. You always have such creative ideas and delicious recipes. I am your newest follower! Those deviled egg chicks are too cute. xo,

    ReplyDelete
  40. Such great ideas! Hope you're enjoying your Easter. Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love your Easter eggs! I grew grass for Easter this year too... next year I will have to use a bit more seed as mine was a bit sparse. Still nice and surprised my Mom that it would grow so fast; one week! Happy Easter, Hope you had a nice celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Those are so beautiful, I love herb stenciled Easter Eggs. They really show the beauty of spring, I think :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Happy Easter to you, too! Your decorations are just adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  44. You won my giveaway! Email me your address so I can send it out ASAP!
    Hope you had a wonderful Easter, Susan!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Susan, what a fabulous post! I am so impressed with all your beautiful Easter projects. I have heard of the natural dyed eggs but was never sure how they were done and they looked so beautiful nestled in the grass. Hope you have a wonderful day & looking forward to your next post:)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Calling it lovely would be an injustice. It's obvious you put your heart and soul into your Easter creation!

    I'm certain you and Mr. Mack had a wonderful Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Happy Easter Susan! Your eggs are very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  48. gorgeous! hope you and your family had a great easter!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Your eggs turned out so cute! Have a great week:)

    ReplyDelete
  50. They're beautiful. I love the sheen on them. It's so elegant. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I knew I could count on you having some wonderful ideas for Easter, Susan! The eggs look like works of art and the white chocolate nests look very elegant. I'm saving these ideas for next year! Hope your Easter was joyful!

    ReplyDelete
  52. They are so festive and beautiful! I love especially the Easter grass...so spring, and nicely green.

    ReplyDelete
  53. How beautiful...the eggs, hen, grass and sentiments. You've done an amazing job of portraying the softer-side of Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Beautiful eggs, love the pictures of them all...absolutely gorgeous...perfect Easter celebration. Hope you had a great one. Enjoy your week Susan :-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. The natural eggs are absolute works of art. I must try something a little nicer next year. I don't love regular dyed eggs! I have wanted to do the grass too. I hear it grows really quickly. It looks so fun and with the eggs in it, it is really enchanting.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Don't mind me. Just taking another look :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Those eggs are so beautiful! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. I did eggs this way years ago. The kids weren't so thrilled with the neutral colors produced by the onion skins, but I loved the way they turned out.

    I had grand ideas about doing something wonderful to Easter eggs this year, but time got the best of me. Maybe next year.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comment!