Happy Fourth—and a deviled eggs question
First, the all-important deviled eggs question: do you use pickle relish in them, like it says here?
Mash yolks with mayonnaise. Add relish, mustard, salt, and pepper; stir well.
And if you do add the relish, are you from the South? To me, pickle relish in deviled eggs would be an abomination. Of course, I’m from the Northeast, so what do I know?
Now that I’ve gotten that weighty matter out of the way, I hope you have a wonderful Fourth with friends, family, or strangers, or even alone; at a picnic, barbeque, party, parade, or fireworks display, or in the privacy of your home.
Every Fourth is serious, too. But this one seems even more serious than the last one or the one before that. So many of us (and not only the conservatives and/or libertarians) feel that our liberty has been more threatened lately than it was before.
But liberty has always been threatened, or about to be threatened. There are so many temptations to do so: power beckons to tyrants and tyrant wannabees, as well as to those with good intentions and a bad knowledge of human nature; surrender beckons to people who want their lives to be easier and think that giving up a bit more liberty will help them get stuff they want or keep them safe from harm. And then a little more liberty, and a little more, and pretty soon…
It’s been odd timing this year to watch the crowds demonstrating in Tahrir Square for a change of leadership in their country. Yesterday they got their change, and maybe later on they’ll get their chance to have their say and elect someone who will better represent their interests. We’ll see; I have grave doubts. But I can’t help but think—even though this is the Muslim world we’re talking about, where liberty is not traditionally a big value, to say the least—that at least a small part of what some of them yearn for is liberty, whether they would describe it that way or not.
Liberty is strong, but it is also both precious and fragile. Paradoxically, like many things, it is often most missed and valued after it is lost, and then it can be too late. I hope it’s not too late here.
To end on a happier note, we have the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty. It had been closed to tourists after sustaining damage during hurricane Sandy. Let’s hear it from a visitor:
“This to us, Liberty Island, is really about a rebirth,” said Heather Leykam, whose mother’s home in Breezy Point was destroyed during Sandy. “It is a sense of renewal for the city and the country.”
A renewal for Liberty. Sounds good to me.
Pickle relish
An Abomination indeed. I can even fathom the thought of Deviled Eggs with pickle relish without retching.
I am from Kentucky–specifically, the northernmost part of the Upper South (the Ohio River Valley– and I never put relish in egg salad or deviled eggs. I hate either if it tastes sweet. Some things just aren’t supposed to taste sweet–corn bread, corn pudding, and deviled eggs. I do add chopped celery sometimes. I use chopped pickles or pickle juice in chicken salad, and ham salad, but no pickle of any kind comes close to my deviled eggs. By the way, a lady once told me that if you bring them to a church dinner, you shouldn’t call them “deviled” eggs–you should call them “dressed” eggs. Oh, we had a laugh about that.
Toy
Don’t like devilled eggs, never make them.
The situation in Egypt reminds me that liberty is a higher order aspiration that can only be effected when built on the social bases of security, stability, governance, and economic health. The social fabric is a less quantifiable measure but add cultural health to that mix, too.
Think Maslow’s hierarchy for societies.
Looking at Egypt’s struggle today and considering Nasser’s failure to form a working infrastructure for modern Egypt, I think when we think of our founders, we should give a special thank you to Alexander Hamilton and the founders who emphasized the working foundation of our nation’s infrastructure at the base of our ideals.
Said another way: Before we can put Locke, let alone Mill, in charge, Hobbes must be propitiated.
I’m not a great pickle fan, except ocassionally a Kosher dill, so no relish for me.
I’ve been reading articles on Gettysburg this week because it’s in my neck of the woods and because my great Granfather was awarded a MOH for capturing a battle flag at Five Forks. This has certainly tuned my mind to the cost of liberty. My mood today is one of appreciation, not celebration. There is also some serious concern as I am really feeling the PC in this country. It’s not a single thing that bothers me, but rather a feeling of being swamped, kind of like the humidity that overtakes you after a thunderstorm.
No relish in deviled eggs – just mayo, salt and pepper, and a dusting of paprika.
I dunno, Neo – we’re just feeling rather subdued this year, regarding the 4th. Like Expat says – not one thing, but all of them, especially sensing that the Ruling Elite of the US despise the ordinary Americans … really, really despise them. For myself, I sense a storm coming. We can’t go on like this for much longer.
(Hey, NSA guy monitoring my communications? We’re doing burgers tonight, I can make up a plate for you, if you want some. You know the address…)
expat,
I visited Gettysburg last summer. As an Army veteran, of course, the Civil War is a profound part of that part of my heritage, a unique circumstance where American soldiers fought each other.
I came out of the visit with an oddball what-if: What if Union General John Reynolds had survived the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War? He was, by most accounts, the most brilliant and respected leader on the Union side, the North’s answer to Lee. He was impeccable with the markings of a great man beyond a great soldier. What if Reynolds had taken Grant’s place in American history, including Grant’s presidency?
Also, John Burns is the Man.
I’m flying my flag upside down, and wearing my t-shirt that says:
ALCOHOL
TOBACCO
& FIREARMS
should be a convenience store,
not a government agency
I don’t use relish in my deviled eggs. I do add some celery salt and a little hot sauce. The hot sauce doesn’t make it hot – it just adds a little spicy kick to it.
As best I can tell, the 4th has been gradually turned into a hedonistic event–food, booze, fireworks. Not a celebration of the Declaration. Civic/military parades are has-beens. No Thanks-Be-To-The-Signers, no revitalization, much less remembrance, of the spirit that pledged lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.
Sacred honor in current lingo comes out, “WTF is that?”
I do not mean it should be a somber day. But the meaning has been morphed.
The Drudge report main headline sums it up:
http://drudgereport.com/
The country, like the Drudge flag, is frazzled and frayed.
But it’s still beautiful. It’s beautiful because it has people like Neo’s commentors. We’re probably all feeling a little ragged and worn but I bet if there is one trait that unites us, it is gratitude. That, my friends, is the most under-rated but necessary ingredient for happiness and sanity.
Gratitude.
Eric,
Another what if: I keeping reading comments from rather silly sounding libertarian, states rights types complaining about Lincoln. They seem to assume that a divide United States would have remained in two nations. Yet I think its more likely that with each secession, another becomes more likely, resulting in fragmentation and inviting foreign intervention.
Some celery salt and a dash or two of balsamic vinagar, a bit of brown sugar. NW Ohio, came up with the additional ingredients on my own.
This, by VDL in American Digest, brought, well, I won’t say a lump in my throat (lump in my throat) or tears to my eyes (tears to my eyes), but overall (can’t stop crying) it was pretty good.
http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/american_studies/how_beautiful_w.php
Relish?? Good heavens…never!! Born and raised in Cincinnati and lived the last several years in Tennessee…so the ‘northern’ South I guess. But no one I have encountered ever would put relish in devilled eggs. That is just disgusting!
Dustoffmom, in Columbus, I’ve seen deviled eggs with chopped green olives in them. Ugh!
Toy
I never put relish in my deviled eggs. I have always put in minced onion of one type or another though. It adds a welcome savory touch and a bit of crunch to mix things up. Also dust with cyan instead of paprika if you like a little more heat.
cayenne, D’Oh!
No pickle relish. Northern Minnesota.
Re-read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution–my July 4th ritual.
Something many of you probably knew, but it had never occurred to me before to compare the signers of the two documents. Of the 56 for the Declaration of Independence and 39 for the Constitution, only 6 signed both.
Everything Eric said about the U.S. and liberty, plus one other thing — the “benign neglect” that characterized the relationship of the colonies with the Crown up until around 1765.
We were pretty much left on our own to establish institutions and practices that worked for us. Meant that we were more than ready for the independence thing.
On pickle relish: I don’t like anything that’s chopped up in deviled eggs; they should be simply smooth and creamy. But just a drop or two of pickle juice does add a nice bit of sweetness.
If I have it I put a bit of the liquid from some sweet pickles. I’m not sure about relish. Another version involves using avocado instead of mayonaisse. Very tasty, but not in a guacamole sort of way. Though that does give me ideas.
Groton, CT has a 4th of July parade, every year, on the day, complete with contingents from the Subase subschool, Subvets, sometimes from the Coast Guard, scouts, local fire departments, local sports teams, the Governor’s Horse Guard (in historical uniforms), lots of fife and drum corps and other local groups (this year the local equine rescue had five of their rescues with them, and the local SCA group often has a contingent, stopping along the way for fighting display bouts. It goes right by the end of our street, so we head down with a folding chair and have a very fun hour or so.
Born to Southern parents (dad joined military so I grew up all over the globe but his state-side tours were in the South) and never had deviled eggs w/ pickle relish. A little bit of mustard gives it some tang. I could see trying dill pickle relish in egg salad, maybe.
Saw a discussion last night on why, if a new party gets started, Liberty party would be a better name than Freedom party. I agree. Because freedom can mean things like freedom from responsibility for example.
Take it from an immigrant: We are lucky to live in this country. I am not young enough to have memories of where I was born, but I get it loud and clear that even though the people of my parents’ generation would have no problem moving back, they prefer it here. As does my generation.
And that’s for someone from an Asian Pacific heritage that has some great tourism. Imagine how much more so for people from severely broken countries.
This holiday is a good reminder of that freedom, but the celebration of it happens every day when any of us citizens simply live a normal life, unhampered by the faults and failures of broken nations (or worse yet, open oppression like in some terrible countries). We’re lucky. And thankfully many US citizens don’t pull that stupid post-modern stunt of being too “worldly” to be proud of our home. We’re proud. And lucky. And that’s a good thing.
—–
Ps. Relish with eggs = abomination. I’m sorry, but there it is. Southerners may now challenge me to duels and other defenses of honor, but I simply cannot be convinced otherwise. 😉 😀
Momma’s from Alabama, Daddy’s from Georgia. Yes to relish, but chop it really fine before you mix it in. Not too much. And don’t forget to use Duke’s.
Relish or not, we are blessed to be American, right or left, North, South, East, or West, no matter where we started from. Happy Birthday.
NO to pickle relish in deviled eggs; just Coleman’s dry mustard and Miracle Whip (not mayo), sprinkled with some paprika on top.
and YES, to renewing Liberty!
I just made a batch of deviled eggs today! I am a firm “NO” vote on the pickle relish question. I use mayo, a little mustard, a dash of vinegar, garlic salt and some fresh herbs (parsley and cliantro today because that was what I had in the kitchen). Finish with a sprinkle of paprika for color.
A good Fourth of July to all!
Doesn’t anybody add a few drops of Tabasco sauce, like I do?
“Take it from an immigrant: We are lucky to live in this country.”
Amen. My orphaned grandfather immigrated here from the Russian empire by himself at the age of 14. It is sobering to me to think that the initiative taken by that young lad 113 years ago eventually bestowed me with the good life I have been able to lead as a citizen of the USA. If he had not done so, my parents’ generation likely would have perished in the Holocaust and I never would have been born.
This is a very interesting thread. I’ve never seen quite this mix of devilry mixed with patriotic reminiscence. Plus Eric’s comment on Egypt at the top.
Done a few smart things in my life, done a few dumb things as well. Whole lotta dumb things, in fact.
Smartest thing I ever done was to be born a citizen of the USA in the latter half of the twentieth century. Man, I was a genius for having pulled that one off! Still congratulate myself.
Smart guy, I am.
Happy birthday, USA . . .
Reynolds was awesome.. But dead too early… Grant, Sherman , Sheridan , Thomas and Ord were the winning team .. Meade.. Not so much . But.. Lincoln had the smarts to let Grant win..
Paprika and dry mustard with a touch of mayo or ranch dressing (for my friends who can’t stand mayo – funny, huh?)
The Detroit News (the conservative as opposed to the left-leaning Detroit Free Press) had the Egypt story on the front page, but also at the very top a banner headline saying “Read the Declaration of Independence” which it printed in its entirety within.
Took it to the party I attended today (another tomorrow and a third Saturday with out-of-town relatives). One of the guests worked in radio, so he read it aloud in that great, expressive style.
Fireworks are going off now in my town. Most of the guests went to Greenfield Village, the open-air history museum, where a long concert with drum & fife bands and the DSO were playing.
The only unpatriotic thing I can think of happening was the National Review’s decision to run a commentary by a Canadian saying how Jefferson et al slandered good King George. I can’t imagine a Canadian mag running an American criticism on Canada Day!
I’m no expert of deviled eggs, so I have no advice for you. Made some yummy blueberry raspberry cobbler for our picnic.
Happy Independence Day, Neo!
Here’s a July 4th jello mold for you:
http://jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/getting-ready-for-4th.html
I can go either way on the Tabasco sauce. Same with the touch of mustard. I like it both ways. My father sometimes mixes a bit of Frank’s Red Hot sauce in it but that’s a little too much for me. My wife likes it though.
Took our twins to their first Fireworks show tonight. They are 4 now.
There was our local symphony orchestra playing for a couple of hours in the park beforehand. It was extremely gratifying and touching to see all of the men, of all ages, in a crowd of roughly 3000, all remove their hats in unison and bow their heads for The Star Spangled Banner. Little things like that still get to me. And to make it even better, my son removed his Disney Cars hat all on his own.
I love this place and I love this day.
For making lov:
Play. The people play.
I can’t say they play.
From my point of view
it’s only love. (Love!)
I’m a kidder, I’m a say-er!
Didn’t mean no say-yer-say-yer’s
Didn’t mean to die.
I did it long ago.
Whn I find
You. .. .per the mayberr line
There is an especial grunge
which make you mine
for making love
and stahin alive
Never relish, for my tastes. My mother and her generation seem to do that though, plus sugar sometimes or sweet relish. Bleh! I prefer savory.
We’ve had a busy day. Daughter, son in law, and our 2 oldest grandchildren (14 & 13) arrived around noon. We had a hasty lunch and then I took them to my sisters 108 acre place to shoot things that jump (empty cans, golf balls, little blocks of wood). What fun. The grandkids live on the north side of Chicago. They shoot better that 99% of the CPD and all the gang bangers.
We grilled salmon, asparagus, onions, and sweet peppers to put into a salad of baby kale, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes (all from our garden). Later we went to the fireworks display and afterwards walked back to our house for vanilla ice cream with raspberries (from our garden). The teens were hustled off to bed with their iphones and the adults played euchre and drank champagne until about 20 minutes ago. All except me are in bed. I’m reading neo because reading neo is a touchstone these last 5 years.
I forgot to put my 2 slivers of pickles into the fray. My wife makes deviled eggs that are a delight. She mixes egg yolks with a bit of mayo, mustard, a touch of sauvignon blanc, finely chopped shallots toasted in a sauce pan, and then a dash of cayenne hot sauce
Deviled eggs fit for Julia.
Yes to pickles or pickle relish, mustard, and paprika. No to mayo.
I’ve also added chopped black and green olives, hot peppers, horseradish, ham, and various cheeses. Still, no mayo.
Well, checking back in on the critical question of how to properly make deviled eggs, I see we have a wide range of recipes. There is no arguing with taste or tradition. I like the wise words of Kipling on this sort of situation:
“There are nine and sixty ways
of constructing tribal lays
and every single one of them is right!”
Neo, I do like your idea of using a few drops of Tabasco and will try it next time I make deviled eggs.
No opinion on eggs. Strong opinion on this July 4th 2013:
“Society will develop a new kind of servitude which covers the surface of society with a network of complicated rules, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate. It does not tyrannise but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.”
― Alexis de Tocqueville
I’ve also seen some egg recipes calling for crumbled bacon. That might be a worthwhile suggestion if Glenn Reynolds is gonna stop by. Of course, the problem is having a strip or two of bacon leftover to crumble.
Deviled Eggs:
Mayo, dijon Mustard, Tabasco,
fresh chopped Dill, Salt, and
Eggs, of course!
(From NYC, currently in
Boston, by way of Ohio.)
Everybody KNOWS you can’t make deviled eggs without sweet pickle relish. Come on, y’all, get serious!
… and here’s the recipe!
Have had them both with pickle relish and without. Grew up in the Wisconsin area bordering the Twin Cities. However, if I did have them with relish, it was almost always dill relish, not sweet.
That said, I usually prefer them without, with dijon mustard.
Is the relish supposed to be a Southern thing? Good Heavens! It is easier to rationalize secession than pickle relish in deviled eggs. This puts so-called gay marriage in perspective. I knew someone who put finely chopped olives in a batch. I have never seen a deviled egg left on the platter at the church where she served them, until that day. It’s just wrong!
Gotta have that sweet pickle relish; if it’s left out the dish must be called something else ( “angel-ed eggs”?)
No relish? That may be fine elsewhere, but let me warn you: don’t show up at a gathering in the South with those bland eggs. We might eat them out of pity for you, though, so as not to hurt your feelings.
Deviled Eggs (NC version)
Mash up yolks with
Dukes mayonnaise
Yellow mustard (like you put on hot dogs)
Sweet pickle relish (mount olive preferred)
Dill pickle relish (mount olive preferred)
Hot sauce, like Tabasco, just a splash
That’s it. Need the balance of sweet relish and sour dill relish. No onions because they start to overpower if you have leftovers… Ditto celery, don’t do it.
Also, please note that pickle relish is a fine chop, not the same as chopped pickles.