Deb Perelman, the genius behind Smitten Kitchen, is very popular with the Kitchn staff. Her clever tricks have earned her a lot of praise in many of our recipe showdowns, from adding spinach to her baked ziti recipe to using a loaf in her perfect garlic bread. Their egg salad seemed just as brilliant, with coarse mustard, pickled celery, chopped shallots, and lots of fresh herbs. How would it compare to the other egg salad recipes I tested? Read on to find out.
How to Make Smitten Kitchen Egg Salad
First, combine white wine vinegar, water, kosher salt, and granulated sugar in a glass. Cap the jar and shake the contents until all of the sugar has dissolved. Add 2 stalks of finely chopped celery and let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 1 hour.
Boil 4 eggs by placing them in a large saucepan and covering with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and after cooking, turn the heat to medium. Let cook for 10 minutes. Drain the eggs under cold water and place in an ice bath for 10 to 15 minutes.
Peel and chop the eggs and place in a medium-sized bowl. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of the prepared celery, then stir in whole wheat Dijon, chopped shallots and mayonnaise. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
My honest review of Smitten Kitchen’s egg salad
I loved the taste of this egg salad right after it was made. The pickled taste and crispness of the celery give it a pleasant mouthfeel that is perfect for simple eating, and it’s an upgrade that I’ll be using on all egg salads from now on. I also enjoyed the flavors the coarse mustard and shallots added to the overall dish.
Unfortunately, the initial pizzazz slowly subsided over time. The flavors didn’t blend as well as I’d hoped and I felt the salad was a little dry when I tried it on bread (Deb suggests toasted whole grains). But if you prefer your egg salad without bread, this is for you.
Another thing worth mentioning is Deb’s recommendation to use an egg cutter to chop the eggs. I only have a few Unitaskers in my house, and an egg slicer is one of them. It makes cutting hard boiled eggs quick and easy, and it’s so enjoyable. I think it would also be great for perfectly slicing avocado. What else do you use an egg cutter for? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to prepare Smitten Kitchen’s egg salad, here are a few tips
Have you ever tried Smitten Kitchen’s egg salad? Let us know in the comments below.