What is deviled eggs and why do we love them so much? Well, for me it is something very easy to cook and a wonderful comfort food. If you are from the South or Southern, there isn’t a picnic, family gathering or function that you will not find a plate of this delicate egg concoction. So, let’s look at a bit of history concerning Deviled Eggs.
History of Deviled Eggs
The Deviled egg has been around since the Roman Era. But what is the deviled egg? It is a dish made with boiled eggs, the egg yolk made into a paste with spicy sauces and herbs, cut in half and stuffed with the paste. This concoction was usually served as the started dish a all gatherings and events.
The first written record of this dish was found as early as 1786. However, with reference to the “deviled” portion of this dish, it has nothing to do with religion. It all had to do with the spices and seasonings used to flavor the paste. There have been recipes found throughout history of hard-boiled eggs stuffed with herbs, cheese and raisins. Some of the spices found in the earliest records that were mixed with the egg yolk include coriander, cilantro, onion juice and beat with Murri juice (a fermented sauce made of barley or fish), oil and salt. Nevertheless, to this day, some churches refuse to refer them as deviled eggs. They call them stuffed eggs, stuffed egg shells, salad eggs or dressed eggs.
However, today most people mix the egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard or other types of dressing. Others also add a few spices like paprika, salt, pepper and onion seasoning. Here in the South, we also add sweet relish or pickles, sweet peppers and various other spices. However, you enjoy it, you most likely can make this amazingly simple dish.
Where Do Eggs Come From
It seems throughout time that we all ask that question, Which came first…The Chicken or the Egg? Well, let’s think this logically. The egg is a produced by the chicken. The Chicken is needed to not only fertilize the egg for growth and incubation but they lay the eggs as well for consumption. Without the chicken you would not have the egg. If you had the egg first, who would fertilize the egg for procreation? Then you would only have the one egg. So, with all that being said, the chicken had to come first. And because of that, we get to enjoy eggs in all the various ways we can eat them.
Egg Facts – What is Deviled Eggs
With the healthy eating craze going on, some groups have determined that eggs are not a healthy food to eat. Because it contains a high concentration of cholesterol about 187g per egg. However, there are some very healthy benefits to including eggs in your daily food regimen.
- Did you know that eggs are good for the eyes. They contain lutein which helps prevent cataracts and muscle degeneration.
- Egg Shell and Yolk color has absolutely nothing to do with the taste of the egg.
- Egg yolk is one of the new foods that naturally contain Vitamin D!!! So, if you don’t like being in the sun too much, then have a couple of eggs a day.
- Brown eggs…Some people say they are better. They are just more expensive because the chicken they come from are bigger and therefore eat more.
- The duck egg is also on the list. But it is higher in fat. However, if you enjoy baking, it is said that a duck egg is better to use instead of chicken eggs.
- Ever heard of Choline. It promotes normal cell activity. Guess what, eggs naturally contain this substance. We also have a SNAP that also helps with cell enhancement. Add it to your daily regimen as well.
- Eggs age faster at room temperature that refrigerated. So, to keep eggs fresher longer, keep them stored in the frig. However, room temperature eggs are better for baking.
Ways to Have Eggs
The egg is such a simple food. However, there are unlimited used for it. If you eat breakfast of any sort, you will usually have eggs with it. Here in the South, eggs are a staple at any breakfast table. Along with some pork sausage, definitely bacon, ham, you will have some grits too. Toast and jam is good but a home-made Southern biscuit will be on every table. But there are other ways to eat eggs as well.
Scrambled
This is the simplest and easiest way to make eggs. For perfect eggs, you need a good cast iron skillet. Add a bit of oil, butter or bacon grease here in the South, then add your eggs once the oil is hot. Take a fork and whisk the eggs until they are shiny. Then remove them from the heat. The heat will finish cooking them. If you cook until they lose their gloss, you will have dry eggs that have very little taste.
To spice up these eggs, you can add some bacon bits, cheese, peppers, salt and pepper.
Poached Eggs
This is a way that I personally do not enjoy my eggs. However, there are those who do. Poaching an eggs means cooking the cracked eggs in a pot of water. If you are not familiar with this, you need to practice it to get it right. Salt in the water usually makes the white spread. However, adding a table spoon of white or apple cider vinegar to the water helps the white maintain its shape. Once the white has firmed up, remove it from the water with a slotted spoon. The yolk will still be runny but the white is cooked. Again, if you enjoy runny eggs, poaching will definitely get you the results you want.
Fried Eggs
Fried eggs it seems are the most popular. As most egg dishes are either fried or baked. With fried eggs you get the fried hard, over easy where the yolk is still runny. Then you have egg omelets. My family loves these.
In an egg omelet, you basically make a pocket out of the eggs which includes a variety of meats, cheeses and veggies. In my omelets, I usually have some bacon and ham, onions, peppers, chives, a bit of rosemary, cheese, some salt and pepper. Then fold in half and flip. As it is cooking, sprinkle more cheese on top. Plate it up and add some pineapple salsa and you have a dish that you can serve for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With juice, soda or a fine wine or mimosa, you can make this meal into an event.
Deviled Eggs Recipes
So with all that being said, let me tell you my recipe for how I cook my Deviled Eggs.
What you need:
- Depending on the amount you need, get a dozen eggs. It will make 24 deviled eggs.
- baking soda
- mayonnaise/ranch dressing 1/4 – 1/2 cup
- mustard/spicy mustard – 1-2 tablespoons
- sweet relish/sweet pickles – 1/8 to 1/4 cup
- Herbs/spices – of your choosing – I like paprika, onion powder, a little cayenne. – to taste
- Peppers – I use sweet pepper and bell peppers. If you want to add a little color, use the colored bell peppers. 1/4 cup
- Optional – Pimentos – My mother-in-law used these instead of sweet relish. You can also use scallions instead of onions.
- If you would like it little more on the slick side instead of pasty, add a little olive oil. – until you get the consistency you want
What to do:
In a sauce pan, add your eggs. Run water over the eggs until they are covered. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. The baking soda will help the shells peel off easier. Salt works too, but not as well as baking soda. Boil eggs for 7-10 minutes at a hard rolling boil. Remove eggs and place in cold water. Shell eggs and cut in half. Remove the yolk and place in separate bowl.
Set egg white halves aside. In a separate bowl, smash the yolks until they are almost a paste. Add all the wet and dry ingredients and stir. Taste to see if you need to add more salt or pepper. Once you get the taste you want, spoon the mixture into the egg white halves. Then sprinkle with toppings. I use bacon bits, chives, pepper and paprika. You can use any garnish you would like.
Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Egg Salad
Now sometimes you have more mix than you will need to fill your deviled eggs. Guess what, you can call it egg salad at this point. This dish will make a great appetizer or anytime snack or comfort food. Serve with bread as a sandwich. Or, use make like a bruschetta. I personally love it on a garlic toasted cracker. However you enjoy, you will definitely have some options when you have to make a quick dish for any gathering.
Eggs and Wine
Now what do you drink with this amazing quick and easy dish. Well I have talked with my local expert who is a wonderful person and knows more about foods and wine pairings than I can think of. So, here is some of his suggestions with egg dishes.
A Rose or Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect pairing for eggs with any type of seasonings or additives like bacon and spices. However, if you just want a basic fried or scrambled egg, then he suggests a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. However, if it is a brunch you are serving this with, a great mimosa works well took.
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