I have a favour to ask.

[Mabel]

We can't get Easter Eggs here. At all.
We patiently waited for anything remotely Easterish to appear (the bulk of the Christmas stuff appeared in the stores about 2 days before Christmas) but it seems it just isn't going to happen. We found out, too late, that there is only one store in town that sells Easter Eggs and they sold out last week.

Sooo...I'm wondering is anyone is feeling very kind and generous with their time and would mine grabbing something for me, fo rthe two kids, and sending it over? I know it's a lot to ask.And of course I will pay for all of it. I just don't want to disappoint the kids. I'm really mad at myself for not having something arranged already.

[Burbage]

Well I've nevertried this so I haven't a clue if it would work. How about a couple of balloons, and some melted chocolate?

Make your own? Get the kids involved, so that any disasters can be blamed on them.

[Fuzz]

Mabel, it'd probably be better for you to make your own. Knowing how dodgy and unreliable the postal service is back in Indonesia, you'd be lucky to receive them in one piece (I think sending easter eggs by courier to IDN will be a bit of an overkill) *grin* - besides receiving molten easter eggs will be pretty frustrating for your kids too!

An alternative is to ask somebody in Jakarta to tiki the eggs over (Tiki is a local courier company) - there are heaps more stores in Jakarta stocking easter eggs.

[Tack]

On that track (and these work) blow out real raw eggs and fill the shell with choc. Or dye boiled eggs with food colouring or stuff like pandan, tea etc. Make egg shaped (or bunny etc) cake (cut from square sponge if necessary). Make egg shapes from marzipan, fondant icing etc.
And if kids help they will love it so much more ! Have fun whatever you do.
I'll help if you do want a delivery, pm me.

[Mabel]

I had thought of making my own...but haven't been able to find any egg moulds. I didn't think of the brilliant balloon solution though!I think I might try that one next year.
I was really just thinking of a packet of those little solid eggs, do you know the ones I mean?

However, I have just found that Caswell's Moms, an online store run our of Jakarta, have some stock, so have ordered and asked for express delivery. Fingers crossed that that will get them here in time.

Fuzz, we had a package of goodies sent to us at Christmas time. We were disappointed to see that the box had been opened , never a good sign, but most things did seem to be intact, to our astonishment. And then we noticed that the large packet of Twisties had been opened, half eaten and then put back!

[Mabel]

Oh, just saw your post Tack, some lovely ideas there, thanks!

[Possum]

Some great ideas for activities with the little ones over Easter but they won’t save the Easter bunny from shame. My kids always make and decorate a basket to leave outside their bedroom door. I have found that they don’t really mind what it contains as long as its not empty. Don’t stress too much that you can’t find the traditional sweets instead add a stuffed bunny or a book and a few of their favorite treats. They will be just as stoked.

[Joy]

Make some truffle eggs (just shape them in the form of eggs):

bittersweet chocolate truffles Bon Appétit | December 2006

This classic truffle is made from a simple bittersweet ganache.

Makes about 30 truffles.

Cooking Class
ingredients
Truffle base
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
9 ounces high–quality bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped, divided

Chocolate coating
8 ounces high–quality bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped

Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional; for rolling)
preparation
For truffle base: Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat; cool to lukewarm, 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir 7 ounces chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water until smooth. Remove from heat. Add 2 ounces chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in cream. Chill truffle base until firm enough to roll, about 3 hours.

Line rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. Roll 2 teaspoons truffle base between fingertips into ball. Transfer to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining truffle base. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

For chocolate coating: Line another rimmed baking sheet with waxedpaper. Stir chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water just until melted. Remove from heat. Cool slightly.

Scoop some of warm (not hot) melted chocolate into palm of hand. Place 1 chilled truffle in hand and roll in palm to coat. Transfer to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining melted chocolate and truffles, rewarming chocolate if necessary. Roll in cocoa powder if desired. For variations, see page 61 for instructions on rolling in toppings. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

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Just a few extra thoughts on this - I usually do not coat my truffles in chocolate because it is a lot of work, however if you have the time, go the extra mile. I sometimes add in caramelized nuts (finely chopped) - you could also use orange zest, you could use any other chocolate beside dark chocolate as well.

Making Marzipan eggs is also really easy - you take the same amount of almonds and powdered sugar and add in a bit of flower water (either rose petal or orange petal water): Put it all into the food processor and the mixture you have is marzipan and can be formed into eggs as well and then coated with chocolate of left as is. Yummy!!

[kittykat]

Hey Mabel - if you want am happy to grab some for you and courier them over. Let me know (PM me) and am happy to sort something out