Who thought an egg could look this cute?
For those of you who love cute food, have kids, are obsessed with bento lunches, or just want to try something different: I give you Japanese Egg Molds.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transform the common egg into something eggstraordinary (sorry, I had to say it).
All you need are some plastic Egg Molds (sometimes called Rice Ball Molds) -- It's easy, so let's get crackin'!
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transform the common egg into something eggstraordinary (sorry, I had to say it).
All you need are some plastic Egg Molds (sometimes called Rice Ball Molds) -- It's easy, so let's get crackin'!
Vroom vroom!
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Why molded eggs?
The 60's called and they want their egg misconceptions back! Eggs are healthy after all! Research now shows that dietary cholesterol does not raise blood cholesterol. Eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins, and carotenoids. Eat them in moderation as part of a healthy complete and balanced diet.Why molded eggs? Kids love them, they add a fun twist to a familiar shape, and well...they're just so darn cute!
Choose organic vegetarian-fed eggs
Look specifically for "organic" and "vegetarian-fed" on the package.For molded eggs, use "Large" eggs. Doesn't matter if they're white or brown.
DID YOU KNOW? What makes some hardboiled eggs easy to peel when other times you need a hammer and chisel? For eggs that peel easily, let them stay in your fridge for 4 or 5 days first before hardboiling. Very fresh eggs are hard to peel when hardboiled.
Step 1: Introducing Japanese Egg Molds
These are plastic, hinged molds that snap shut. You can find them on ebay (search "egg molds") or in Japanese groceries or specialty shops (easier to find in cities like NYC or San Francisco)They come in various shapes, including character shapes such as Hello Kitty.
Step 2: Boiling Your Eggs
How to Boil a Perfect Egg
Fill your pot with cold water, add the eggs gently, and place over high heat.When the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Drain immediately (and unless you're doing egg molds, pour in some cool water to stop the eggs from cooking further). You will have a perfectly hardboiled egg.
Step 3: Peel the Egg Quickly While HOT!
Peel the egg while it's still very hot. A cold egg can't be molded.Peel it immediately and run it under cold water occasionally if it is too hot for your fingers. Hot hot hot!!
Step 4: Place Your Egg in the Mold
Place the egg in the mold fat side down.It will look very big in the mold--don't worry, it'll fit! Really!
Step 5: Close your Mold
Press firmly! Step 6: Snap it Shut!
Snap the mold shut. Let it cool on the counter for about 15 minutes or drop it into a pan filled with cold water for a couple of minutes. Step 7: Remove Egg from Mold
Open the mold and give the egg a gentle wiggle to pop it out of the mold. 
Egg Fish
Optional: Color the Eggs
Add a little food coloring to give your eggs a little more pizazz. We used 100% natural food dye; you can also use beet juice or blueberry juice. Some Egg-citing Links
- Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento
- Some great ideas on making a fun portable lunch, especially for kids. Some good tips on where to get good lunch containers
- Vegan Lunch Boxes
- Vegan? Here are some great dairy/egg-free lunch ideas.
- Cute Egg Chicks
- These aren't molded, but they're very cute--sure to make any guest smile.
- More Cute Egg chicks
- Another cute egg chick sure to steal the show at our Easter table.
- Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's
- Looking for quick lunch-on-the-go ideas? Check out the recipes here for a healthy wrap or salad to add to your lunch (don't forget the molded egg!)
- My lunch can beat up your lunch
- Tips on packing bento lunches and keeping them fresh.
Proud Recipient of The Hungry Squidz Choice Award
A few eggcellent items for your bento and egg needs
Leifheit Pro Line Stainless Steel Egg Slicer
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/27/2009) 
Metro 19cm Stainless Steel Egg Poacher with 7-1/2-Inch Fry Pan
Amazon Price: (as of 12/27/2009)
Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar, Silver
Amazon Price: $41.38 (as of 12/27/2009)
Fit & Fresh Lunch on the Go
Amazon Price: $9.75 (as of 12/27/2009)
Polder Upscale Chicken Timer, Red
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 12/27/2009)
Reports on Eggs
How often should you eat eggs? What are the health benefits? Do eggs affect cholesterol?
- An Organic Egg Really Does Do Your Body Good
- What are the nutrients found in eggs? Is it OK to eat raw eggs?
- Eggs: What Health-Conscious People REALLY Need to Know about One of the Most Controversial Foods
- Health benefits of eggs from choline (brain and heart health), lutein (vision health), biotin (aids in preventing birth defects), and lecithin (fat assimilation and lower blood cholesterol)
- Organic Eggs: Easy Greening
- What does it mean to have an egg that is vegetarian, organic, free range, cage free, etc?
- Don't be Chicken of the Egg
- The Egg's Role in the Current American Diet. Another big advocate of organic eggs!
- Learn More about Eggs
- Dietary Guidelines including those for eggs
Cute food: take it or leave it?
Does it matter what your food looks like when you eat it?
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- JellyGirl1 JellyGirl1 Mar 3, 2009 @ 8:25 am
- What a fun lens!! I'm going to email this to my cousin who has a 3 year old - she'll love it!
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- sulynsi sulynsi Mar 1, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
- That was a lot of fun! Thanks.
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- stargazer00 stargazer00 Mar 1, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
- Welcome to the Hungry Squidz Choice Group. Please stop by the group and grab the blue ribbon for your lens!
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- flighty02 flighty02 Jan 27, 2009 @ 8:20 am
- Nice lens and a welcome addition to The Cooks Cafe group!
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- rms rms Aug 27, 2008 @ 10:12 am
- Thank you for adding this adorable idea lens to the Party Foods group. I'd never seen this before!
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by TraderJane
We're Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati, authors of "Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's."
We love to cook, we love to eat fantastic food, and we love Trad... (more)
We love to cook, we love to eat fantastic food, and we love Trad... (more)
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