{companions} eggcellent - deviled eggs!

I must admit those brightly color eggs of easter are so fun. Turquoise, yellow, orange, lime. They were so beautiful and seems to change daily. I loved our eggs and our low key time together. After our morning together it was off to Grandma for a feast to be reckoned with.

My husbands family loves their deviled eggs. His sister makes the best ... according to my kids at least. Deviled eggs made an appearance for many a meal over at Great Grandma's house and just I loved her egg dish. White, trimmed in gold, sweet and beautiful. Every egg had its own personal lounge chair.

How is it that foods like deviled eggs trigger wonderful memories. Really if you like deviled eggs, I just bet your favorite eggs come from a family member or close friend and is surrounded with memories. It's just one of those foods!

I don't make deviled eggs very often, come to think of it I am not sure I ever have. Well there is a first time for everything. Of course I have taken some liberty here and jazzed these up a bit but good ole deviled egg are fabulous. And come on I am never going to make them as good as grandmas anyway.

Italian and Chipolte deviled eggs by ann west

the egg base:

hard boiled eggs (don't over cook your eggs. In fact I like mine just cooker or slightly undercooked. More flavor and that gorgeous yolk stays and intense yellow) split and yolks removed to a bowl

mayonaise

sour cream

whipping cream

lemon juice

salt & pepper

Mix the mayo and sour cream into your yolks. I was making about 6 eggs and used about 1 tbls of mayo and 1/2 tbls of sour cream. Mix a little whipping cream to smooth it out... around 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. Mix this together add a squeeze of lemon juice and salt and pepper. Make it tasty - like you like it.

The Italian Devil....

add a layer of prosciutto, your egg filling. Top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, a shave or two of asparagus and a nip of lemon zest.

The Chipotle devil...

Mix 2 tsp of the chipotle sauce into the egg mix. Stuff your egg. Garnish with black beans, cilantro, a jalapeno and or avacado.

Enjoy!

{rise 'n shine} black bean and poached egg ranchero

photo by ann west

brin l ner brinner def. noun. breakfast for dinner. Substituting breakfast (usually eaten in the morning) instead of a typical dinner (usually eaten at night). Brinner is prepared in times of desperation when time is short, budget is low and there is nothing else in the house. origin: stressed out moms that need a break.

black bean and poached egg ranchero by ann west

Canned black beans. Add 1 bay leaf and a dash of cumin. Heat and mash with a potato masher.

saute peppers (if you have them - if not skip it)

poach eggs (or fried if you like)

salsa

tortilla

feta cheese (or your preferred cheese)

avocado (to really jazz it up!)

on a tortilla or a bed of left over rice layer black beans, veggies (if you have them), poached eggs. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with salsa!

*** This meal can be served in the morning as well :)