Ecstatic About Eggs

Since Easter is just a few weeks away I thought it would fun (and useful) to bring back the Week of… series and feature eggs. More specifically hard boiled egg recipes since I am sure a lot of you will have an abundance of these eggs sitting in your fridge from Easter egg dyeing. Today I am sharing an article about the health benefits and tradition of dying eggs that I wrote for meal planning/recipe site Food on the Table. And today’s egg recipe? Well probably my absolute favorite way to enjoy hard boiled eggs, as a deviled egg!

Eggs aren’t just for breakfast any more. They are the most commonly used item in cooking and baking, and a highly valued commodity world wide. With advanced technology, egg farmers have been able to keep the price of eggs low, making them an extremely affordable protein.

Eggs have long been a part of springtime traditions and celebrations. Dying or painting eggs is traditionally known as ’Pysanka’ and is to represent the bright colors of spring. In China parents give family members a red dyed egg to announce the birth of a child. During the Renaissance era, young men tossed empty eggshells filled with perfume at young women they wished to court. This custom spread to Austria, Spain, and later to Mexico, where empty eggshells were filled with confetti and used to make wishes.

Decorating eggs this Easter season can be a fun project for all! However, if you would like to later eat your decorated eggs, follow these simple safety tips:
• Wash hands during all the steps of the cooking and dying process.
• Be sure all decorating materials and dyes are food safe and edible.

Classic Deviled Eggs

6 large hard boiled eggs, cooled and peeled**
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
paprika
salt and fresh pepper to taste

Cut eggs in half longways. Remove yolks and put them in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. Mash together and stir well. Pipe yolk mixture back into egg whites. Top with paprika.

** To ensure the perfect hard boiled egg follow these directions. Place eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan. Cover the eggs with about an inch of cold water. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Immediately remove pan from heat and cover. Let stand for 20 minutes. Run eggs under cold water to let eggs cool.

Deviled Egg Variations:

The BLT Deviled Egg:

Start with the classic deviled egg recipe. Add 1 ½ tablespoons minced sun dried tomatoes and 1 tablespoon minced fresh Italian parsley. Stir tomatoes and parsley into mashed yolk/mayonnaise mixture. Mix well and pipe back into egg whites. Top each egg with a sprinkling of real bacon bits.

Ranch Deviled Eggs:

Prepare classic deviled egg recipe. Stir 2 teaspoons dry ranch seasoning mix into mashed yolk/mayonnaise mixture. Mix well and pipe back into egg whites.

Spicy Deviled Eggs:

Prepare classic deviled egg recipe. Add 1 ½ tablespoons minced jalapenos. Stir jalapenos into mashed yolk/mayonnaise mixture. Mix well and pipe back into egg whites. Top each egg with a sprinkling of chili powder.