Egg-ceptional Ideas, New Ways to Prepare Hard Boiled Eggs
If you find yourself with an abundance of hard boiled eggs, there are plenty of ways you can use them in recipes and salads.
Make sure you use only eggs that have been properly stored—don’t use eggs that have been unrefrigerated more than two hours, or that cracked during dyeing. With that in mind, you might want to make two batches—one to use for holiday displays or egg hunts and one you can eat later. Fortunately, eggs are still one of the best values at the grocery store…plus, they pack a nutritional punch!
After years of declining popularity, eggs have become nutritionally respectable again. They’re chock-full of high-quality protein as well as other vital nutrients. The yolk contains healthy monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and about half the protein in a whole egg. And after years of research, the conclusion is that eating eggs on a daily basis does not significantly impact blood cholesterol levels or increase the risk of heart disease in healthy adults. Since protein can keep us feeling fuller longer, eggs are a good food source to help maintain a healthy weight.
So what to do with all those leftovers? A few pantry and fridge staples can turn plain hard-cooked eggs into tasty and satisfying appetizers, snacks and meals. First, the obvious: deviled eggs. Still a perennial favorite at potlucks and other gatherings, deviled eggs are easy to make and can be prepared in as many different ways as there are cooks! Start with the basic recipe, then add ingredients you and your family enjoy.
Basic Deviled Egg Recipe
6 hard-cooked eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise*
1 teaspoon prepared mustard (or to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika (optional, for dusting tops)
* Lighten up! Replace mayonnaise with light or nonfat mayonnaise or sour cream, or plain yogurt.
Directions: Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Take out yolks and place them in a medium bowl. Mash yolks with fork or potato masher. Mix in mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper until well blended. Spoon or pipe into the whites and chill until it’s time to serve. Sprinkle with paprika before serving, if desired.
Deviled Egg additions:
Sweet or dill pickle relish
Celery, carrots, sweet red pepper
Green, red or sweet onions
Chipotle chili, jalapeño chili
Sun-dried tomatoes
Capers, olives
Smoked salmon, crabmeat, bay shrimp
Ham, bacon bits
Horseradish, Tabasco sauce
Truffles
Goat cheese, blue cheese
Spices: tarragon, thyme, dill, curry powder, parsley, chili powder, cumin
Other ways to use hard-boiled eggs:
Salads: Chef, Cobb, lettuce, spinach, potato, macaroni
Egg salad
Chopped eggs with white sauce (add cheese, curry powder or mustard) served over toast
Scotch eggs (eggs wrapped in sausage, then breaded and deep fried)
Empanadas (mixture of ground beef, raisins, potatoes, olives, garlic, hard-boiled eggs)
Pickled eggs
Thousand Island dressing
Shop for Egg Cooking Helpers at Solutions.
eggs mixed with mayo and curry powder are wonderful…… top with red and black caviar look and taste jncredible! If not, just a tiny piece of any green herb. very festive and inviting.