There are several ways to apply food coloring, but I like this one the best because it provides the most even color, doesn't make little dots of color, it's just in there.
But when the sun’s shining, an animal with countershading – darker on top and lighter underneath – looks more evenly colored, and doesn’t stand out as much from its background.
Your pastry is crisper, you've got a more even color on top, but the pancakes are slightly thicker, and the duxelles and the beef, which are obviously kind of the main event, don't have quite the same flavor.