George the Dragon recipe

We’re only halfway through the summer holidays, but I’m already running low on ideas for entertaining the kids. Thankfully Festival Place has got the weekends covered – go along on any Saturday or Sunday in August and a 12ft tall bubble-blowing, music-playing George the Dragon will be there to entertain them. Never one to miss out on a bit of themed cookery, we’ve been making these pretty dragon eggs in preparation.

Dragon Eggs

For the eggs:
2 eggs per person
3 tbsp loose leaf tea (or the contents of 4 – 5 tea bags)
1 tbsp Chinese 5-spice powder or your favourite mixture of ground or whole spices
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
a few drops of sesame oil

For the nest:
¼ cucumber per person
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp caster sugar

• Put the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drain the eggs then cover them with cold water and leave for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Drain them again, then tap the eggs all over with a teaspoon to crack the shell, being careful not to puncture the membrane underneath.
• Measure the tea, spice powder, sugar and soy sauce into the saucepan. Add the eggs, then pour in enough cold water to just cover them.
• Bring the pan to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer very gently for 1 hour.
• Turn off the heat and leave the eggs in the pan to cool for 1 hour or even longer if you have the patience. If the eggs are not fully submerged, transfer them to a smaller bowl or measuring jug with enough of the liquid to fully cover.
• Peel the eggs and rub them with a little sesame oil to add a glossy sheen.
• To make the cucumber nest, use a julienne tool or vegetable peeler to shred the cucumber into long strings or ribbons.
• Mix the vinegar with the sugar and a pinch of salt, then toss the dressing with the cucumber and shape into a nest.
• Arrange your dragon eggs on top and eat straight away or keep in the fridge for later.

Check out the Festival Place website for many more children’s activities taking place this summer, from storytelling to cookie-making.

Happy nibbling!
Fiona B xx