Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs Recipes

HOLIDAY DEVILED EGGS

Steps:

• For the eggs: Place the eggs in the bottom of a large stockpot in a single layer and fill the pot with water to cover the eggs by 2 inches. Add the salt. Place the eggs over high heat and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover the pot and let sit for 13 to 15 minutes. Prepare an ice bath. Remove the eggs from the pot and place into the ice bath to cool.
• For the filling: Peel the eggs, cut them in half and place half of the yolks in a food processor. Add the basil, chives and 1/2 cup of the mayonnaise to the processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a resealable plastic bag.
• Clean out the bowl of the food processor. Place the remaining egg yolks into the clean processor, add the roasted red peppers and remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a second resealable bag.
• Add the red food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vinegar to 2 cups of room temperature water in a bowl and mix well. Add half of the egg whites (make sure you remove the membranes from the egg halves so they don't affect the dyeing process) and let soak until the desired color is achieved, at least 15 minutes. Repeat the same process with the green food coloring and remaining vinegar. It will take longer to get a deep green color.
• Remove the eggs from the dye and pat dry. Arrange on a serving tray and pipe the green filling into the red egg halves and the red filling into the green egg halves. Garnish the green filling with chopped chives. Garnish the red filling with finely chopped red pepper.

SANTA DEVILED EGGS

Steps:

• Peel and cut eggs lengthwise in half. Remove yolks and place in a small bowl. Fill a mug 1/3 full with hot water. Stir in food coloring. Dip the narrow end of each egg into the red water and hold for 10-15 seconds. Drain eggs on paper towels, cut side up., In a small bowl, mash yolks. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, paprika and, if desired, horseradish sauce. Spoon or pipe into each egg white. Attach capers for eyes, a ham piece for a nose and a pepper piece for a mouth., Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; insert #16 star pastry tip. Fill bag with cream cheese. Pipe eyebrows, mustache and beard on face; pipe pom-pom and trim on hat. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

PULL-APART DEVILED EGG WREATH

Steps:

• Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil over high heat and prepare a large bowl of ice water. Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water with a slotted spoon and cook for 12 minutes. Remove the eggs with the slotted spoon and transfer to the ice water to cool completely, about 5 minutes.
• Peel the eggs and halve each lengthwise. Remove the yolks from 9 of the egg white halves and transfer the yolks to a food processor. Add 2 ounces of the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the mayonnaise, the Cheddar, paprika and a pinch of salt. Process until the mixture is smooth and light. Season with additional salt if desired. Transfer the cheese filling to a small pastry bag and refrigerate while you make the second filling.
• Remove the yolks from the remaining 35 egg white halves and transfer the yolks to the cleaned food processor. Add the remaining 6 ounces cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise, the scallions, parsley, lemon zest and a big pinch of salt. Process until the mixture is smooth and light. Season with additional salt if desired. Transfer the herb filling to a large pastry bag and refrigerate while you arrange the egg whites.
• Lay a large wooden cutting board (at least 26 inches by 18 inches) in front of you with one of the longer sides facing toward you. Place 1 egg white half (pointed-side down) at the center of the bottom third of the board. Arrange 2 egg whites halves (pointed-side in) on each side of the center egg, so that it looks like the two loops of a bow.
• Arrange 2 egg white halves (pointed-side down) vertically underneath the center egg so that it extends diagonally to the left. Repeat, arranging 2 egg white halves extending diagonally to the right. This is extra ribbon for the bow.
• Place 1 egg white half (pointed-side in) next to the left bow loop so that there is very little space between the eggs. Continue arranging 19 more egg white halves in the same manner, creating a large circle that ends with the last egg white half placed next to the right bow loop.
• Arrange the remaining 15 egg white halves around the inside perimeter of the outer circle, keeping most of egg white halves pointed-side in. You may need to arrange some egg white halves at different angles around the top of the bow. It doesn't have to be perfect!
• Cut a 1/2-inch-wide opening in the pastry bag with the herb filling. Fill the 35 egg white halves that make up the wreath with a dollop of the filling, then squeeze the remaining filling on top of the egg whites. Use a small offset spatula to gently spread the filling evenly over the eggs, maintaining the curves of the outside edge and creating a flat surface.
• Cut a 1/2-inch-wide opening in the pastry bag with the cheese filling. Fill the 9 egg white halves that make up the bow with a dollop of the filling, then squeeze the remaining filling on top of the egg whites. Use a small offset spatula to gently spread the filling so that the eggs are mostly covered.
• Cover the bow with 3/4 cup of the pimentos. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup pimentos around the wreath as ornaments. Serve immediately.