Red, White and Blue Deviled Eggs
These are a great Fourth of July appetizer! They're a bit fussy to make, but the colorful presentation is so fun, it's worth it. Spicy horseradish and smoked Spanish paprika give these deviled eggs a bit of a kick. This recipe scales easily; just be sure to go easy on the salt amount and season to your tastes.
INGREDIENTS :
- 3 drops red gel food coloring
- ⅔ cup water, or as needed
- 2 drops blue gel food coloring
- toothpicks
- 8 hard-cooked eggs, peeled
- 2 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch fresh-ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh chives (Optional)
DIRECTION:
- Combine red food coloring and 1/3 cup water in a ramekin or small bowl; do the same with the blue food coloring in a separate ramekin.
- Gently insert 3 or 4 toothpicks about 1/4-inch deep through the center of an egg and balance it so that one end is dipped in one of the dyes. (Don't pierce the eggs too much, or they'll break after you halve them). Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, depending upon how strong you like the colors. Dip the other end of the egg in the other dye so the eggs have red, white, and blue bands. Dye the rest of the eggs and let dry on paper towels.
- Slice colored eggs in half lengthwise and set the whites aside on a serving platter. Push the yolks through a sieve into a bowl or use a potato ricer.
- Mix mayonnaise, horseradish, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper into the yolks and stir until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer filling into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Pipe filling into each egg white half. Place smoked paprika in a fine mesh strainer; hold the strainer over each egg half and tap gently to dust with paprika. Sprinkle deviled eggs with chives. Chill until ready to serve.
