Saturday, November 14, 2009

Deep Fried Deviled Eggs

My workplace held our Thanksgiving meal this past Friday. We hold our dinner early before things get too crazy with personal obligations and people start going on vacation. Our feast this year was amazing! I work with several others who are great cooks (or have immediate family members who are). This year I volunteered to bring stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs. Word has spread that I'm a food blogger, so coworkers excitedly asked what I was bringing. When I responded with such a common food answer, the universal comment was, "Oh." I decided to try and find a recipe that would surprise everyone - but there was one catch. I don't eat deviled eggs.

I only started eating eggs a few years ago. They just didn't seemed to settle well in my stomach, plus the flavor and texture of the yolk was never pleasing. Today I am still only able to eat them scrambled. My search for a unique deviled egg recipe would need to be something I was confident in serving without having tasted it personally.

I used every search engine known to food bloggers, but was unable to find anything unique. The recipes only varied slightly on the filling ingredients, but were all still basically the classic deviled egg. I made my way over to Food Network to see what their chefs had created. Amazingly, at the top of the list was a recipe by The Neely's. I've heard of this duo, but have yet to watch their show, so they're still newcomers in my mind. However, the recipe of deep frying deviled eggs caught my attention. Everything tastes good fried, right? I decided to go for it and keep my fingers crossed.

I made the deviled eggs over two days. The night before, I boiled the eggs, made the filling, and then stuffed those little eggs silly. I let them sit overnight in the fridge in the hopes of the flavors being able to mingle and the eggs to stiffen slightly (hopefully not falling apart when rolled in a coating and fried). I kept my negative thoughts to a minimum and went to bed prepared to make a killer deviled egg the morning of the feast.

When I arrived at work and presented my share, everyone just assumed the fried deviled eggs were the stuffed mushrooms! They had come out perfectly golden brown and not one fell apart. Once I started explaining what the golden goodness was, word spread like wildfire. Coworkers began snatching them up and bobbing their heads in approval. I was told they tasted like regular deviled eggs, only with a delicious addition that only deep frying can bring. I was very pleased with the results of seeing everyone happy and eager to share their new experience with others for the holidays. I would highly recommend having deep fried deviled eggs on your table this year.

Deep Fried Deviled Eggs

12 eggs*
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon zest
salt and pepper

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
peanut oil

Several hours before preparing the eggs, place the egg carton on the counter and turn the eggs on their sides. This will center the yolk and allow the eggs to reach room temperature.

Using a large pot, fill 3/4 full of cool water and set on the stove. Gently add half the eggs and turn the burner on high and cover with a lid. After about 6 min, the water should begin to boil. Remove the pot carefully from the burner, add a healthy pinch of salt to the water, and allow to sit covered for 14 min. Repeat with the remaining eggs using fresh cool water.

While the first batch is boiling, prepare an ice bath. In a large bowl, fill 1/2 full of cold water and a few handfuls of ice cubes. Once the eggs have finished cooking, use tongs to carefully place the eggs in the ice bath. Allow all the eggs to sit in the ice bath for 30 min total.

Once cooled, begin carefully cracking and peeling the eggs. (Thankfully, the frying process will cover any divots in the egg whites, but still be careful so the whites do not contain any holes.) Cut each egg in half and remove the yolk. In a medium bowl, mash together the yolks, mayo, mustard, lemon zest, and salt & pepper. Use a spoon to fill the egg whites and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the eggs from the fridge while preparing for the frying process to allow them to come to room temperature. In three separate bowls: add the all-purpose flour with a dash of salt and pepper; mix the eggs together; and lastly place the breadcrumbs in their own bowl. Have a large plate lined with paper towels ready to hold the eggs pre- and post-cooking.

Right before dipping the eggs, add peanut oil to a pot that will cover the eggs slightly (about 2 inches deep). Turn the burner to medium-high. Dip an egg into the flour mixture, then coat well with egg, and lastly roll well in breadcrumbs. Using a spider, add four eggs to the spider and carefully add to the peanut oil. The eggs should brown after only 15 seconds. Remove the eggs with the spider and repeat until all are cooked. Sprinkle the eggs with kosher salt and allow to cool slightly before serving.

~Yields 24 deep fried deviled eggs.

~Adapted from Food Network with tips from The Deviled Egg Gourmet.

*Boiling at least 2 additional eggs will allow room for any that crack or do not peel well - or for snacking!

40 comments:

  1. No way, how cool are these?? Deviled eggs and fried food are making a comeback and I love that you've put them together!

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  2. I bet those are so good! Great job surprising your co-workers. I'll bet your blog gained a lot more readers thanks to your hard work.

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  3. @pegasuslegend thanks! i was told it was very good. maybe i'll be brave enough to try them one day. ;)

    @Mae yes, it's nice to see others trying fried foods again. as long as the correct cooking oils/fats are used, it's fine in moderation.

    @Cookin' Canuck i hope it inspires others to try it out! thank you! :)

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  4. You are SO brave that you waited until the morning of to try something new like this! I love deviled eggs - must be the Southern girl in me - and the addition of frying is causing my brain to overload. I'm scared of them because I want to eat them all so much.

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  5. ha, thanks! i tend to be pretty fearless and seek out new things, so i didn't really think about it. you've got to try the recipe then! :)

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  6. I smiled while I was reading your post just thinking of how many times I used my co-workers as "guinea pigs." Two ways to kick up any food: frying or adding bacon.

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  7. Ohhh! Sounds great! I don't really like deviled eggs, but deep frying them sounds really good! Maybe I'll try it with the palm shortening... (wink wink) LOL!!

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  8. Right, with this, and Jenn's karage, I am going to have to give in to the oil and deep fry something.

    These would be great at a drinks party though. And it's the season...

    Thanks for sharing. I love getting ideas from other blogs. Hence I am now a 'follower'! :)

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  9. @My Man's Belly haha, so true! it worked out pretty well this time.

    @Marillyn you know i was thinking about you and that big beautiful tub of palm shortening! ;) i didn't eat them either, but if you have any deviled egg eaters in the family, i'm sure they'd love this version!

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  10. @Mr.P hello, so glad you came by! thanks for the compliments and the follow! :)

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  11. Oh my. I must say, these or probably the best things ever! I would never make them because I would probably eat them all. LOL.

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  12. @dolly thanks, it was pretty easy to make and the reactions from people are great.

    @Miranda haha, maybe if you had some others to help you indulge it wouldn't be so bad. ;)

    @Noelle thanks! :)

    @Cocina Savant awesome, thank you!

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  13. I never even have deviled eggs before. Looks good though!

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  14. That sounds fantastic. I'm never really a fan of deviled eggs until you fried them. I'm glad they finished all of it. What a rewarding feeling that they really like it.

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  15. I often make devilled eggs (I call them party eggs though!) but I have never thought to deep fry them. This is very cool! I gotta say though, it makes my heart hurt just thinking about it :)

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  16. @Divina yes, i was happy everyone was pleased with the outcome. glad to know you like them too :)

    @Conor haha, i'm sure a few of them would be fine if the correct oil/fat is used. plus sharing them with party guests ensures the whole lot isn't eaten by one person. ;)

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  17. You did a great job with these eggs! Thanks for sharing :)

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  18. Hi Brie, busy traffic here! haha... Oh wow, I'm so proud of you. You did pretty well to those eggs. I'm sure your co-workers would love them too. Good job. Have a nice day. Cheers.

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  19. Now all you need to do is put a these on a stick and you'll be selling them all over America! really fun idea.

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  20. Oh the pressure of people knowing you are a food blogger! I am glad that these turned out so well. They look fantastic!

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  21. @penny me either! that's why i had to try it - glad it was a success! ;)

    @Karine thank you!

    @My Little Space haha, yes, it's nice to see so many people stopping by! thank you very much - take care! :)

    @Dani haha, fabulous idea. all i need are some of those lunchroom plastic gloves and i'll be in business ;)

    @Stacy so true! no one cuts me slack anymore. ;) thank you!

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  22. This is something I would've never thought of deep frying!!Kudos for being brave enough to giveit a try,and I am glad it turned out. Iam always a wreck making a new recipe for people at work!

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  23. this is new to me! I never thought I would see deep fried deviled eggs but these sound really delicious!

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  24. I absolutely LOVE deviled eggs - but I normally end up butchering them when I make them! But everyone eats them anyway :)

    I'd never think to deep fry them...but that would cover up all of my sloppy mistakes - ha, ha!

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  25. @Deborah me, too! i'm glad it was a hit. thanks!

    @Jessie haha, yes, it seems anything can be deep fried and still taste delicious.

    @Tasty Eats let me know if you try it!

    @Tally so true! it's nice not having to worry about every little nick since it will be covered up with deep fried goodness. ;)

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  26. Now that is a new twist on deviled eggs for sure, wonder if the state fair vendors will pick up on this one! Could be a new fried treat for sure. lol

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  27. haha, yes, it would be funny to see these popping up all over the place. too bad it's not my idea so i could cash in! ;)

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  28. Omg I am making deviled eggs for my party, I should've read this earlier -- anything fried is always better!!!

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  29. haha, awesome! hope they're a big hit at your party, too!

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  30. Wow, deep fried deviled eggs - what a terrific idea! I haven't had deviled eggs in such a long time but now I have to make them and then try them deep fried, yum!

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  31. yeah, i'd love to see what you add to it. the recipe is very plain, so adding a special touch would be simple. do i smell truffle oil?

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  32. This is fantastic!I can't wait to try this!

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  33. Our Indian Runner Ducks lay hundreds of eggs in the spring so I am always grateful for recipes - thanks!

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  34. @Crystal oh, how nice! let me know how yours turn out! :)

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