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Herb Deviled Eggs

With their outsize flavor and perfectly bite-size proportions, deviled eggs never go out of style. The best part is that they’re one of the few dishes fit for entertaining that’s also so simple, you can probably throw them together on a moment’s notice without even going to the grocery store. All you need are some eggs and a little something to give them zip, from chopped pickles or pickle relish to cayenne pepper or spicy pepper relish. I like this version, which is topped with fresh herbs and cornichons or other pickled vegetables, like okra or asparagus.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 dozen

Ingredients

6 large eggs
2 tablespoons your favorite or Homemade Mayonnaise (page 280)
4 cornichons or mini dill pickles, 3 minced and 1 thinly sliced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish, if desired
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish, if desired
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the eggs in a saucepan with enough water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring the water to a low boil over medium-high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat, cover, and let the eggs sit in the water for about 10 minutes longer.

    Step 2

    Drain the eggs, rinse under cold running water, gently crack the shells, and let sit in cold or ice water until completely cool. Remove the eggs from the water and carefully remove the shells. Place on a paper towel to drain.

    Step 3

    Cut the eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop the yolks into a medium bowl, being careful to keep the whites intact. Place the whites on a plate and set aside.

    Step 4

    Add the mayonnaise, minced pickles, mustard, vinegar, dill, chives, cayenne, and salt and black pepper to taste to the egg yolks and mash with a fork to form a smooth paste.

    Step 5

    Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of the yolk mixture back into each egg half and refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve, or for several hours.

    Step 6

    Top each egg with a thin slice of pickle and a sprinkling of fresh dill or chives and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, just before serving.

Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved. Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.
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