Hard boiled eggs get deviled with capers, fresh tarragon, spicy Dijon, and a bit of crisped ham to finish it all off. An easy way to twist your deviled egg recipe for Easter.
The windows are open, and outside in the dark of night a soft rain is falling. It’s that steady pitter-patter that hums in the distance, barely whispering as it blankets the ground with its tears.
It reminds me of crying.
Not those sad, heavy sobs, but the heartbreaking tears that just pour unwillingly from your eyes as your heart slowly cracks in two, the fissure growing ever so slowly and then widening in the center before it dissipates off the other side.
Still, the tears tonight that the sky cries are not heartbreaking, but cleansing. They are washing away winter, calling the green from the ground, whispering to the life that lies just beneath the surface, sustaining it with their presence.
As I grasp my cup of tea, the tears for me mourn the loss of things I never knew I had, but the tears of the rain will renew. Spring, you see, has the ability to teach us that all of life must run in cycles, and the ups and downs will all work together as part of the whole.
Easter will come, the dirt will be washed away, and life will turn green once more.
Eggs seem appropriate for Easter, where their shells are often dyed and decorated into a rainbow of bright spring colors, each trying to outdo the other with their hue. When the shells are peeled away, however, all the eggs look the same: firm white yolk surrounding a soft yellow center.
The clean, blank canvas of the egg transforms and blooms. Today it made way for a bit of fresh tarragon, briny capers, a caramelized shallot, and a few crumbles of crisped ham. A fresh side for the spring season.
Notes:
How to Hard Boil Your Eggs | Family Kitchen
*I like Julia’s method, but I go for a 12-minute soak in the water before transferring to ice.
**You thought I was kidding about that “year of the egg” business? I apologize. Eggs.
1 shallot, minced
1 thin slice ham, finely diced
6 hard-boiled eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon
1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon plus small leaves for garnish
1 tablespoon capers
1 tablespoon brine from the capers
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
In a small frying pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add in the minced shallots and cook until caramelized, stirring frequently. Strain the shallots and set aside, leaving the remaining oil in the pan. Add the ham and cook until crisp. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cleanly slice the hard-boiled eggs in half. Pull the egg yolks out from the center and place them in a medium-sized bowl. Mash the yolks with the tines of a fork until smooth. To the egg yolks add the cooled caramelized shallots, mayonnaise, Dijon, tarragon, capers, caper brine, and white pepper. Mix until smooth. Pipe or spoon the yolk filling into the hollowed out egg whites. Garnish the eggs with the crisp ham and fresh tarragon leaves.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 12 deviled eggs.
Lisa [With Style and Grace] says
These are the most beautiful deviled eggs and they sound delicious! Perfect for post Easter 🙂
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
I CANNOT wait to make these! We simply do not eat enough Deviled Eggs.
TidyMom says
too gorgeous to eat Shaina!! I love this recipe!
Allison says
Yum! I’m adding these to the Easter menu for sure!
Aimee says
This post made me want to reach across borders and give you a big virtual hug. Just know that someone is thinking of you, no matter what you are going through. And from this post, I can see that you have the right perspective on things.
XOX
Shaina says
Thank you, dear! xo
Marlene says
Lovely post. I hope the tears are only in the sky. I’m looking forward to trying the recipe (although I could use a few more weeks to get ready for Easter). 🙂
Kristen says
Very poetic, my friend. Gorgeous, beautiful, eggs!
Shaina says
Thanks, Kristen! They were tasty, too, when stuffed in my mouth as I ran out the door.
Andrea Goo says
I just love to read your writing!
Cookin' Canuck says
What a beautifully written post, Shaina. Ever since I was a kid, I have coveted the opportunity to eat deviled eggs. These look fantastic!
Wenderly says
Sigh.
Beautiful. I couldn’t agree more with you as warm salty tears slide into a drip off the corner of my chin.
I love coming here.
Happy heart + happy tum.
Miss you sweet friend.
Shaina says
I’m just repaying you for all the times your sweet posts make me cry. I miss you, too!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
So beautifully done, an elegant dish for sure.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Beautiful, Shaina! These look incredibly tasty. LOVE deviled eggs!
Carolyn says
What a fab flavour of deviled eggs!
naomi says
Elegantly written, Shaina. I hope you are finding the same renewal that you see in the rain and spring.
Great recipe-love the capers in it
Maria says
Beautiful post and your photos are stunning!
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
Ooh! I adore deviled eggs. I keep making the same old recipe though. I need to try this one next time!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
Beautiful, Shaina! I love tarragon and deviled eggs, so I will be making these.
Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
Deviled eggs are one of those things that I love so much as-is, that it’s hard for me to imagine making them any other way. But maybe if my Nana makes hers this year I’ll make some of my own just for fun–get the best of both worlds that way! 🙂
Jeanette says
I just love the way you write – it is beautiful and so are these elegant deviled eggs.
Tickled Red says
Simply beautiful post sweet friend {{hugs}}. Oh and the deviled eggs are delish! I can’t wait to try mine with tarragon this year 😀
Colorado Personal Injury Lawyers says
This looks incredible! I love deviled eggs and I love ham so… Perfect match, haha! Yum!!!
Benjina says
Look so yummy. This is such a great food for dinner. I love your recipes
Jessica M says
I made these today and they were AMAZING! And they were beautiful! Wish I could post a pic. Thanks for the great recipe!
Shaina says
Thanks, Jessica! I’m so glad you enjoyed them, and feel free to share on the FFMF Facebook page.