A recent last minute request for deviled eggs, which I usually make with lots of herbs, presented yet another opportunity to NOT go to the store. I stepped out my back door and found lots of pop weed, aka Hairy Bittercress, a few puny parsley sprigs, a little marjoram and thyme. I wrote about Hairy Bittercress in my very first blog post and it remains noteworthy.
Loathed by farmers and many gardeners it is a quickly spreading pest that is best removed before it goes to seed and its seeds “pop” and explode everywhere. However, in January when you need something fresh, green and spicy to add to salads, soups, or deviled eggs, it is a welcome weed.
Step outside and look around the sidewalk crevices or little muddy patches along a garden path and you will likely find it, if you live in a climate that is temperate and damp in the winter.
Most any other spicy/peppery green or herb will work beautifully in rich deviled eggs. Finely chop arugula, mint, watercress. . . .and stir into the yolk mixture.
Deviled Eggs with Bittercress and Herbs
6 eggs
2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 tablespoons finely chopped Hairy Bittercress (or other spicy green, see above)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, marjoram, cilantro, etc.
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Cover eggs generously with cold water and bring to a boil. As soon as the water is boiling turn off the heat. For eggs where you want the yolk firm but not dry, as for deviled eggs,leave in hot water for 10-11 minutes depending on the size of the eggs. Drain and fill pot with cold water to stop cooking. (For eggs that have solid yolks but have a slightly creamier interior to use in salads, Salad Nicoise, etc. take out of hot water after 8-9 minutes.)
Peel eggs and slice eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out yolks and put into a bowl. Mash with a fork and add the remainder of the ingredients until well mixed. Adjust seasoning to your liking. Fill mixture back into egg halves with a teaspoon. Decorate with a bit of the chopped herbs if you like.
Jayne Cronlund says:
don’t forget to peel the eggs! If you have any advice for how to easily peel just boiled eggs, please post. It seems I spend a long time trying to get the peel off.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Ha! Yes, please peel the eggs. Alas when the eggs are fresh (which mine usually are) they are always hard to peel. I wish I had a good trick for those. Older, grocery store eggs, almost always peel beautifully.
Kathleen Bauer says:
I found a nearly perfect method for hard-boiling the gorgeous fresh-from-the-chicken eggs I get from a farmer friend:
– Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. This will reduce cracking when submerging them in boiling water.
– Bring a pot of water to boil over high heat.
– Slowly lower the eggs into the boiling water.
– When boiling resumes, set timer for 15 min. and reduce heat to keep at a low boil.
– When timer goes off, drain eggs and submerge in ice bath until chilled, then peel.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Interesting! Will have to try. Thanks Kathleen.
Kathleen Bauer says:
Let me know if it works for you…with a couple of exceptions I’ve had terrific luck with it.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Will do!
Mary Lane says:
Amazing. I’ve always been frustrated by pop weed . . . but we just took a walk and ate some bittercress and it is wonderful! Thanks for this revelation.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
I’m so glad you can appreciate it a bit now!
Joanna says:
I had no idea that was edible. I have a field of it outside my classroom window!
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Have at it!