6 simple secrets for perfect, velvety deviled eggs
By Jessie Price, Deputy Food Editor for EatingWell Magazine
When it comes to bringing an appetizer to a party, I know I can never go wrong with deviled eggs. The last time I brought a double batch of them to a party (48 servings!), people started rushing me…but not to say "Hi," give hugs and kisses, etc. Instead it was more like a stampede with exclamations of "Oh my god, you made deviled eggs!" People were grabbing the little puppies straight off the platter-it was clean 15 minutes later.
More Recipes They'll Go Crazy For:
Bobby Flay's Baked Beans and More Celebrity Potluck Favorites
Tomato-Basil Skewers and More 100-Calorie Finger Foods
Popular as these two-bite appetizers are, they're not typically healthy. Classic deviled-egg recipes are loaded with fat and calories. Our healthier version of deviled eggs has about two-thirds of the calories of a classic recipe, half the total fat and about 25% less cholesterol and sodium.
EatingWell Deviled Eggs
34 calories
2 grams fat
1 gram saturated fat
71 mg cholesterol
85 mg sodium
Classic Deviled Eggs
58 calories
4 grams fat
1 gram saturated fat
94 mg cholesterol
115 mg sodium
More Potluck Classics Made Healthier:
Potato Salad Recipes That Won't Pack Pounds
Low-Calorie Pasta Salad Recipes
Seven-Layer Salad, Healthy Picnic Coleslaws and More Summer Salads
Although making deviled eggs is pretty straightforward, it is definitely possible to mess them up. Even though I'm the food editor of EatingWell Magazine, there are times I've added too much salt by accident. Other mistakes: way too much mustard or no mustard at all or (gag) broken eggshell in the filling. When done right, they're smooth and creamy and the filling has the perfect balance of tangy and salty flavors. But if you follow these rules for making perfect deviled eggs it's not hard to make them delicious and healthier too. How? Here are my 6 simple secrets for perfect, velvety deviled eggs.
Don't go for the freshest eggs you can find. I know that sounds odd, and for most applications the fresher the better. But in this case, you don't want to use eggs straight from the farm, as they're harder to peel and you'll end up losing half the whites in the process.
Don't overcook the eggs. My mom always said put them in water and boil for 12 minutes at a hard boil. Now I know gentler is better so that the yolks get just set, but not overcooked. Place the eggs in a saucepan filled with cool water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Peel like a pro. After you boil the eggs, run them under a little cold water so that they're cool enough to handle. Then crack them all over and put them in cold water to finish cooling. This makes them easier to peel.
Use two-thirds of the yolks. (The yolks have most of the calories and fat in eggs. One yolk has 5 grams of fat and 54 calories, compared with only 16 calories and no fat in an egg white.) Instead, use nonfat cottage cheese to stand in for some of the yolks-it keeps the filling velvety and rich while reducing some of the fat.
Instead of regular mayo choose low-fat. It has 15 calories per tablespoon and 1 gram of fat. It really is a miracle in creating a velvety filling.
When it comes to a classic-tasting deviled egg, you must use yellow mustard. It has the right acidity and saltiness that adds a special punch. (If you're a mustard snob, you can do a blend of a more high-brow mustard with a little yellow mustard.)
Most of all, have fun! You don't have to go just straight up and put mustard, mayo and paprika in your filling. Think of fun mix-ins like anchovies, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, chives, cilantro or Tabasco. Or even try stuffing them with guacamole. And don't forget this important food-safety tip: don't leave deviled eggs out longer than a couple hours. (If your parties are anything like mine, your guests will eat them much faster than that anyway!)
Get the Recipe: EatingWell Deviled Eggs
Active time: 20 minutes | Total: 20 minutes | To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
Deviled eggs are a perennial potluck favorite. Our recipe replaces some of the egg yolks with nonfat cottage cheese-keeping the filling velvety and rich while reducing some of the fat. No one will know the difference.
12 large hard-boiled eggs (see Tip), peeled
1/3 cup nonfat cottage cheese
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallion greens
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
Paprika for garnish
1. Halve eggs lengthwise with a sharp knife. Gently remove the yolks. Place 16 yolk halves in a food processor (discard the remaining 8 yolk halves). Add cottage cheese, mayonnaise, chives (or scallion greens), relish, mustard and salt; process until smooth.
2. Spoon about 2 teaspoons yolk mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.
Makes 24 servings.
Per serving: 34 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 71 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 0 g fiber; 85 mg sodium; 31 mg potassium.
Tip: To hard-boil eggs: Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook at the barest simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, pour out hot water and cover the eggs with ice-cold water. Let stand until cool enough to handle before peeling.
What are your secrets for perfect deviled eggs?
By Jessie Price
EatingWell deputy food editor Jessie Price's professional background in food started when she worked in restaurant kitchens in the summers during college. She started out testing recipes for EatingWell and then joined the staff here full-time in 2004 when she moved to Vermont from San Francisco.
Related Links from EatingWell:
