Monday, October 25, 2010

Lemony Egg Salad on a Meatless Monday

Eggs are full of packed full of protein & great for a mid day meal. I know my mother knew this when I was a kid since she would pack a boiled egg in my lunch box. What she did not account for was the clumsy antics of a kid in the hours leading up to lunch time. It never failed that I would slam my lunch into something not realizing what the boiled egg sulfur smell would do to my entire lunch time experience. Yikes, not to mention my lunch time reputation! It took me years to let my mother know that I didn't need boiled eggs in my lunch. Even those memories did not dull my enjoyment of a simple Egg Salad Sandwich. Anyone who enjoys this salad has a favorite way they like it. There need not even be a recipe it is so simple. It is all in a pinch of this seasoning & slightly less mayo to prevent the salad from going soggy. What is important is the egg boiling. If you have ever seen a slight green or silver tinge to the yolk when you boil an egg it is because the egg was boiled far too long. Also keep in mind that farm fresh eggs often don't slip out of the shell as easily as an older store bought egg when being peeled.

Lemony Egg Salad with Basil
6 large eggs, boiled, cooled completely.
1-2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
Juice from 1/2 fresh lemon
1 Tbsp. Capers, well drained
1 stalk of Celery, chopped
2 Tbsp. Fresh Basil leaves, thinly sliced
For sandwich garnish, lettuce, spinach or sprouts

*Perfect boiled eggs. Place the eggs in saucepan and cover with cold water by a 1/2-inch or so. Bring to a boil. Now turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for exactly 10 minutes. When the eggs are done cooking place them in an ice water bath for three minutes or so - long enough to stop the cooking. When eggs are cool, peel the shells off & make salad.

I slice my eggs width-wise then lengthwise. I personally don't like my eggs mashed for egg salad & this gives them a nice texture. Gently mix in all ingredients. This salad makes enough salad for 4 sandwiches. If you take egg salad in your lunch be sure & keep it chilled. I served my egg salad in a 1/2 Pita Pocket. Lunch Box additions: It paired well with fresh veggies, cheese & fruit.





This little vintage egg slicer made light work of slicing up 6 eggs for the Lemony Egg Salad. A wonderful find at our local City Wide Garage Sale, my husband could not understand my excitement when I showed him the cute vintage Pink egg slicer I purchased for $1.00!


What my Lunch Styled looked like back in the day?? Seriously cute & kind of school-girl prep, my thermos didn't last very long. Clumsy kids didn't stand a chance then when the thermos jars had glass linings...



Does anyone remember Vivian in Pretty Woman saying "“slippery little suckers" & accidently launched her escargot across the restaurant? I also found these at the aforementioned City Wide Garage Sale & re-purposed them right into my everyday kitchen items. Escargot tongs the perfect boiled egg tong? Who knew? They also are great for grabbing tea bags out of a boiling hot mug of tea.

2 comments:

  1. I've come back around to like eggs more lately but I'm still on the fence about an egg salad, maybe it's too traumatic to imagine the sulfur smell in the office :) Just teasing, I don't think I ever had boiled eggs in my lunches.

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  2. If you dare to take egg salad make sure you keep it very chilled!! Nothing worse than tuna, egg or even chicken salad that isn't chilled & scenting up the office~

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