Julia Childs Hard Boiled Eggs Recipes

JULIA CHILD'S HARD BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Lay the eggs in the pan and add cold water to cover eggs by an inch.
• Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let sit exactly 17 minutes.
• After resting time, ~RESERVE THE COOKING WATER~ and put the eggs into a bowl of ice cubes and water. Chill for 2 minutes as you bring the cooking water to the boil again. (This 2 minute chilling shrinks the body of the egg from the shell.).
• Transfer the eggs to the boiling water, bring to the boil again, and let boil for 10 seconds. (This expands the shell from the egg). Remove the eggs and place back into the ice water. Chilling the eggs promptly after each step prevents that dark line from forming. Leave the eggs in the ice water after the last step for 15 to 20 minutes to facilitate shell-peeling.
• Keep peeled eggs submerged in water in an uncovered container for up to 2-3 days.
• Says Julia: The perfect hard-boiled egg has a tender white, and a yolk properly set. There is not the faintest darkening of yolk where the white encircles it (a chemical reaction caused by too much heat in the cooking process). Eggs cooked this way can also be peeled neatly.

A SIMPLE STUFFING FOR HARD BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• For 2 dozen eggs, cut the eggs in half lengthwise with a sharp knife dipped in cold water, then puree the yolks through a sieve or food mill into a bowl. Blend in 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 4 tablespoons of soft butter, 2 tablespoons of chopped sweet pickle or piccalilli, and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. The whites are quick and easy to fill using a pastry bag with fluted tube. Decorate with parsley or a bit of red pimiento.
• A few of many other stuffing ideas: After sieving the yolks and blending in mayonnaise, soft butter, salt, and pepper, blend in:
• Fresh herbs: Such as minced parsley and/or chives or tarragon to taste, or
• Mushroom duxelles: Minced mushrooms Sauteed with herbs and shallots, or
• Asparagus tips: blanched, warmed in butter and shallots, and finely minced, or
• Lobster, crab, or shrimp: sauteed in butter and shallots, and finely chopped, or Curried onions: minced onions sauteed in butter with a good pinch of curry powder.

JULIA'S AMERICAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and slice each one lengthwise in half, or in quarters if very large; then cut crosswise into half-round or quarter-round slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
• Put the slices in a saucepan with water just to cover and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt per quart of water. Heat to a simmer, and cook the potatoes for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just cooked through. It is essential that they be just cooked through. Bite into a slice or two to be very sure. Immediately remove from the heat and drain the potatoes into a colander, but save a cup of the cooking liquid for dressing the potatoes. Transfer bowl. Stir the cider vinegar with 1/3 cup of the potato water or chicken stock and drizzle this over the potato pieces, turning them gently to distribute it evenly. Let sit 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
• Add the prepared onion, celery, bacon, pickle, hard-boiled eggs, and chives, and season carefully, to taste. Top with 2/3 cup of mayonnaise (or a mix of mayonnaise and a bit of sour cream) and, with a large rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until well blended. Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or mayonnaise as needed.
• Cover the salad and set aside in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so before serving. If it is refrigerated longer, let it come back to room temperature before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning again.
• To serve, line a bowl or a platter with red-leaf lettuce or other greens, and mound the salad on top. Decorate at the last moment, if you wish, with any or all of the optional garnishes.