Description
Barefoot Contessa’s smoked salmon deviled eggs elevate classic appetizers with luxurious coastal flavors. Creamy egg yolks blend seamlessly with rich smoked salmon, creating an elegant starter that impresses guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 extra-large eggs
- 115g (4 ounces) smoked salmon, finely minced
- 55g (2 ounces) salmon roe (optional, for garnish)
Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:
- 120 milliliters (½ cup) sour cream
- 55g (2 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons good-quality mayonnaise
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and equipment for the smoked salmon deviled eggs, ensuring everything is fresh and ready for preparation.
- Gently place eggs in a medium saucepan, covering them completely with cold water (about 1 inch/2.5 centimeters above the eggs). Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately remove the pan from the heat source.
- Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and allow the eggs to rest in the hot water for exactly 12-15 minutes, depending on egg size. This method ensures perfectly cooked, tender egg whites and creamy yolks.
- Drain the hot water and immediately shock the eggs in an ice bath, which stops the cooking process and makes peeling easier. Let the eggs chill for 5 minutes.
- Carefully peel the eggs under cool running water, which helps remove the shell more smoothly. Pat the eggs dry with paper towels and slice each egg precisely in half lengthwise.
- Extract the golden yolks from the egg whites, placing the yolks in a mixing bowl and arranging the white halves on a serving platter. Lightly season the egg white surfaces with a pinch of kosher salt.
- Combine the egg yolks with sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, minced chives, finely chopped smoked salmon, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whip the mixture using an electric mixer until smooth and exceptionally creamy.
- Transfer the yolk mixture into a piping bag or use a small spoon to fill each egg white cavity generously. Ensure an even, attractive distribution of the filling.
- Refrigerate the deviled eggs for 25-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the filling to set slightly.
- Just before serving, embellish each deviled egg with a small dollop of vibrant salmon roe and a delicate sprinkle of fresh chives. Season with an additional whisper of salt and black pepper for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Prep Ahead for Smooth Perfection: Room temperature cream cheese blends seamlessly, eliminating lumpy textures and ensuring a silky-smooth filling that spreads like butter.
- Precision in Salmon Chopping: Finely mince smoked salmon into tiny pieces, creating a uniform flavor profile that guarantees a delightful taste in every single bite.
- Boiling Technique for Flawless Eggs: Gently place eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cover, allowing perfect cooking without overcooking or cracking.
- Professional Presentation Trick: Grab a piping bag or zip-lock bag to create stunning, bakery-worthy deviled eggs with clean, elegant edges and professional-looking swirls.
- Flavor Fusion through Chilling: Refrigerate assembled eggs for at least 30 minutes, letting ingredients mingle and develop a rich, harmonious taste that’ll make taste buds dance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 93
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 204mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 94mg