Columnist Muriel Stevens: Easter art is delicate problem

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 | 8:25 a.m.

Bevies of bunnies and other symbols of spring are everywhere. Supermarkets and party shops offer egg-dying kits, stencils and decals to make the Easter artist's life easier. But long before you dye the first egg there are some important things to know.

Improperly handled cooked eggs are every bit as dangerous as uncooked eggs. Gently wash the eggs before cooking. It's best to hard cook them no more than a few days before decorating, then refrigerate.

Decorating eggs is a terrific family project, but everyone -- kids and adults -- should scrub their hands well before starting. When the eggs are works of art store them in the original carton, small end up.

If your egg hunt lasts more than a few hours, discard the eggs. Food- related illnesses are not a happy event in anyone's life, especially kids', so don't take any chances. To satisfy eggeaters, cook and decorate a separate batch that's meant to be eaten.

Best Easter scenario? Forget the real eggs and buy plastic ones that can be decorated with nontoxic paints. Buy the larger sizes that open. They can be filled or not, but they provide the same fun and there's no concern about what to do with dozens of hard-cooked eggs. I still remember those awful creamed, hard-cooked egg casseroles that appeared on Easter brunch tables. Pretty to look at, but mostly unpalatable.

More Easter: Now through Saturday Walgreens stores are featuring 42-egg packs of hinged Fill & Fun plastic eggs for $1.99. There's a limit of four and a coupon is required. Not to worry: Sales circulars are available at all Walgreens as long as supplies last. Paas Easter egg color kits (limit three) are 69 cents.

Sav-On stores have large bunny-themed tins filled with popcorn (two for $9), and spring-themed cans, too. These are really lovely, but check carefully for dents in the cans before buying. Small dents are easy to miss.

Pier 1 stores don't have a large Easter selection, but the bisque-like bunnies in a variety of colors would look swell on a dinner table. I like the selection of baskets -- not the usual.

Cost Plus can fill most Easter baskets. It has a neat selection of colored "grass," a large selection of baskets in all sizes and plenty of edibles. I always have a problem shopping here -- too many tempting gadgets and gizmos.

I've been using pricey, long-lasting Silpat nonstick liners on my baking sheets. Cost Plus has a scaled-down version; a sheet of nonstick, slick cloth that works on the same principle. It, too, can be reused and costs less than $5.

Easter at See's Candies: See's candy shops are offering a number of new items. Among my favorites are: a papier-mache egg-filled box with a variety of candies ($7.20) including jelly beans, foil-wrapped eggs and creamy chocolate eggs; a parade of delightful foil-wrapped bunnies and rabbits ($1.95-$67) that can be arranged on a tray or in a basket for a pretty display; and a dear, little, yellow chick keepsake box filled with chocolates ($9). It's a toss-up which are best, the all-marshmallow eggs ($3.60) or the Scotchmallow, a combination of caramel and marshmallow enrobed with dark chocolate ($3.90). Easter candies are available now.