JULIA REED’S DEVILED EGGS

This first recipe I adapted from one by Julia Reed, one of my favorite Southern writers and a great Southern foodie. The addition of the butter gives the egg yolk stuffing a nice texture. To add MY touch to it, I garnish the eggs with a tiny dab of pesto made with my homegrown sweet basil.

Julia Reed's Deviled Eggs

Makes 24

1 dozen eggs

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pesto for garnish (recipe follows)

Place the eggs in a saucepan large enough to hold them in a single layer and cover with tap water. Bring to a boil, cover, turn off the heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain and run under cold water until the eggs are completely cool.

Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and rub through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard and butter; mix until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Place in a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with a cut-off corner. Fill the egg whites by pressing the bag. Garnish each with a small dab of pesto.

Garden Pesto

Makes 2 cups

3 cups fresh basil (tightly packed), gently rinsed and patted dry

5 cloves garlic

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts or pecans)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

2/3 cup virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a food processor, combine the basil and garlic and pulse two to three times to chop. Add the nuts and cheeses, and pulse once or twice. Slowly add the oil while the processor is running, and blend. Season with salt and pepper.

The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers (I use small sterilized jars) for several weeks. The pesto can also be tossed with pasta, spread on crostinis, and dabbed on thick slices of tomatoes.