Muffuletta DEVILED EGGS a New Orleans Inspiration

 Oh Boy Deviled Eggs!

But not just any Deviled Eggs, These are inspired by that New Orleans original, the Muffuletta Sandwich.  No trip to New Orleans would be complete without a pilgrimage  to the Central Grocery, steps away from Jackson Square, where the sandwich was invented. The grocery store is now world famous (enough to get it's own Wikipedia entry), having been featured in the PBS special program Sandwiches That You Will Like, and on NBC's The Today Show (five best sandwiches series) among dozens of others.

If you make the journey to the store (with a sandwich counter where you can order an authentic original muffuletta), you will find not only a take out lunch but also jars of the Olive Salad so you can replicate the sandwich yourself.  I have made the sandwich (Tastes great, but of course I would rather have the original in the park in the French Quarter,,, Sigh).  This is my solution for using up the extra salad...  Tasted good enough that I may just buy a jar for these eggs.

And of course the Olive Salad is available mail order as well as in most grocery stores.  Scour the Pickle section and you  may just find a jar.

I made these for a recent concert after party.  they were wildly received and gobbled up.  Nothing but requests for the VERY VERY EASY recipe and an empty plate!

Enjoy we all did!

  OK... Here's what I did...

Muffuletta
Deviled Eggs

Ingredients

• 14-15 Large Eggs, Hard-Boiled and Peeled (I always make at least 14-15 eggs just in case some do not peel well... Then I make Egg Salad from the leftovers).  Follow the Blue Letter Link for an Easy to Follow Photo Essay on how to peel a dozen eggs beautifully!
• 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 Cup Minced Dill pickle
• 2 TBS Yellow Mustard
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 2 tsp Fresh Ground Black pepper
• 12 salami slices, cut in half, 24 total half moon shaped pieces.
• 24 rounded tsp of Muffuletta Olive Salad
  Sprinkle of Smoked Paprika for garnish and color

Cooking Directions

1. First to make the Eggs... Place the eggs in a LARGE Saucepan (or two), single layer. Fill the saucepan with cold water a couple of inches above the eggs. Place the pan uncovered under medium high heat and bring to boil. Cover the pan and remove from heat. Let the eggs sit covered in the water for 15 minutes.
2. Drain the water from the pan, immediately fill with cold water. Gently tap each egg on a counter to crack and put them back in the cold water. Peel eggs under cold running water.
3. Once all eggs are peeled, slice each lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place them in a small bowl. Arrange the white parts attractively, ready to fill.
4. In that small bowl, Add the Mayo, Pickle , Mustard, Salt and Pepper to the Egg Yolks and mix until creamy. You will need to smash the egg yolks to get the mix creamy. Add additional Pickle relish liquid or Lemon Juice if the mixture needs to be smoother.  Add carefully, the yolk goo gets too wet and the piping look will not hold.
5. Transfer the yolk mixture into a piping bag with a large star tip. NOTE: the piped look only works if the yolks are very creamy (you may want to transfer to a food processor to get best results). Otherwise the piping tips will clog. And be sure to use that large star tip.
6. Fill the hollow of each egg.
7. Add the Salami half moons, sliding the wide open in under the yolk goo,  Add the Muffuletta Olive salad between the peak of the yolk goo and the curve of the salami slice.
8. Garnish with a sprinkle of Paprika.   Store loosely covered with cling wrap and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
9. Serve chilled and ENJOY!