Saturday, January 15, 2011

Hard Boiled Eggs Part 2- Macaroni Salad

I thought I'd share another favorite around here using some of those hard boiled eggs. While I don't exactly use a recipe, I'll do my best to give you some estimated measurements.  This is your creation so make it to your taste.  Anyway, recipes are just recommendations, right?

Macaroni Salad 
In a large bowl:
Begin with 2 cups of dry  macaroni cooked- but not overcooked

Add:
Some chopped onion, and celery
 Several hard boiled  eggs, chopped.  Reserve a few for garnish
(Feel free to add anything else you desire.  My mom adds pimento for some color)









To make Macaroni Salad my own, I add some small pieces of chopped up cheddar cheese.
I used white cheese because that is what I had.  However yellow cheese will add more color.




Macaroni Dressing
Mix together:
Begin with about 1 1/2-2 cups of Mayonnaise  (My family insists on Hellmanns)
add 2/3 c. of sugar and 2/3 c. vinegar
a squirt of yellow mustard




add the secret ingredient............horseradish
 Start with a small amount, add more if desired.  





Pour dressing over Macaroni.


Add some salt (or celery salt) and coarse pepper to taste.

Garnish with sliced Hard Boiled Eggs and sprinkle with Paprika!

 ENJOY!!



Hard Boiled Eggs

I have found the secret to hard boiling eggs perfectly-every time.  Many folks tend to overcook their eggs creating that nasty green layer on the outside of the yolk.  But one simple tip can fix that.  I can't believe something so simple is not so well-known.  But here it is.............

Are You Ready..................

STEAMING!  

Yep, that's right.  Steaming your eggs is the secret to great hard boiled eggs-EVERY TIME!


You just need one of these...


OR THESE





OR THESE




I used an electric steamer like the one pictured above.  Just place a small amount of water in your pan with the eggs.  (I had to use a bit more than 1 cup in the electric steamer.)  








Steam for 20 minutes.
Cool immediately.  I usually add my eggs to ice and water.
When eggs are cooled,   (It only takes 5 or 10 minutes to cool)  you are ready to Peel.  Even our fresh from the nest eggs peel fairly well, 'cause you know...fresh eggs are a bugger to peel.
I turned these eggs into pickled eggs.  Yum!    



I made pickled eggs with the beets I pickled this summer.

Happy Steaming!