Peep-a-palooza 2010!

In honor of the upcoming Easter holiday, Food/Science offers a science-tastic and marshmallow-riffic celebration of Easter candy offerings!

First, let's start off with a handful of Peepy-links:

• Peep Research - science approved!
• Serious Eats' Street Vendor Peep Diorama
• Peep Microwave Disaster
• WaPo's Annual Peep Diorama Contest
• Peeps Krispies Treats (recipe)
• Peep Sushi (Peepshi)
• DIY Peeps 

Furthermore, here are some Easter recipes for all of your Easter cooking needs:

• Easter Egg Layer Cake
• Chipotle deviled eggs (for dyeing leftovers!)
• For a Polish Easter, you might like Easter Babka and kielbasa
• My favorite as a kid: Roast Leg of Lamb

 And, for those of you who love to dye eggs, did you know that all you need is white vinegar and food coloring? It's true - DIY Easter Egg Dye instructions to the rescue! You can also dye Easter eggs with Natural Egg Dyes that you can find at the grocery store. Vinegar is often used when dyeing eggs because it helps to achieve a deeper color. Egg shells are about 95% calcium carbonate. This mineral is dissolved by the acidic vinegar and water solution, removing the outer surface of the eggshell and allowing the dye to adhere to the egg. In fact, if you leave an egg in pure vinegar long enough, you can dissolve the entire eggshell, leaving you with a "naked egg".

Finally, if you still have room after your brunch, Easter meats, and tons of colored eggs, I will gift you with this recipe for the Ultimate Easter Sammitch:

The Peepernutter S'more Sandwich:

Materials:
1 hollow chocolate bunny
2-3 marshmallow Peeps
2 slices of white bread
peanut butter (or other nut butter)

Protocol:

1. Cut Peeps in half lengthwise and arrange in a single layer on one slice of bread.
2. Spread peanut butter on other slice of bread.
3. Chop or crush chocolate bunny into small chunks and sprinkle evenly over peanut butter. Gently press them into the peanut butter so they stick.
4. Assemble the sandwich by placing the peanut butter and chocolate topped bread over the Peep topped bread.
5. Heat in toaster oven, sandwich press, or George Foreman grill until bread is golden brown and peeps and chocolate are soft. Alternatively, you can melt a little butter in a nonstick skillet and heat the sandwich for 1-2 minutes per side (a la grilled cheese) for a similar result.
6. Enjoy your sugar rush!

Happy Easter!