egg salad sandwiches with a twist

The other day, our nephew Alex received his mission call. He wanted his family and friends there when he opened it. Needless to say, we were happy to oblige. All except the Oldest Carrotstick. She had "made plans with her friends" and being 13 and all, she couldn't quite get the concept that mission calls trump hanging with friends. In the end, she went with us, but not without being a pain in the end.


We joined the throng of people crammed into Alex's family room, all gathered there to support and celebrate the advent of such a life shaping event with him.


We held our breath as he opened the big white envelope and began to read. And then he came to part that said, "Nebraska Omaha Mission," and we all exhaled and smiled. His mom was especially relieved.

Eventually, people made their way back to their regularly scheduled lives -- except for our family and a group of Alex's close friends.

The Middle Carrotstick and the Youngest Carrotstick disappeared to play with Alex's little brothers, whilst PB&J and I visited with Alex's parents and grandparents in the front room. As we chatted, I kept expecting the Oldest Carrotstick to come in and pester me about leaving. I waited and waited. No Oldest Carrotstick. Figuring she was barricaded in a corner, texting, I went to find her and assess her irritation level.

Instead, I found her smack. dab. in. the. middle. of. Alex. and. his. friends. All boys. All 17 and older. And shockingly, she wasn't just there as an annoying little eavesdropping cousin. They were talking to her. And she was laughing.



THOSE ALMOST ADULT BOYS WERE FLIRTING WITH MY DAUGHTER!!!!!



DID THEY NOT KNOW???

All of the sudden I understood how a momma bear feels when her cub is in danger.

I was ready to:



Somehow I managed to control myself. Since then, I have come up with a devious way to deal with such issues in the future. Which brings me to todays Good Food Friday recipe, in honor of the forthcoming holiday, and the eggs I just hard boiled for said holiday.

I call this:

Hungry Boys Easter Egg Salad Sandwiches

Here's the general recipe. Warning: I'll include my special Hungry Boys Variation at the end.


4 slices bacon (about 4 ounces), cut ino 1/4-inch pieces
2 large shallots , chopped medium
6 large eggs
1/4 cup mayo
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup watercress , leaves chopped coarse
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons lemon juice
ground black pepper

Instructions:


1. In medium skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon with slotted spoon to plate lined with paper towel; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from pan. Add shallots and sauté until softened and browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Place eggs in medium saucepan, cover with 1 inch of water, and bring to boil over high heat. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with 1 quart water and 1 tray of ice cubes (or equivalent). Transfer eggs to ice water bath with slotted spoon; let sit 5 minutes, peel and dice medium.

3. Mix all ingredients, including bacon and shallots, together in medium bowl, including pepper to taste. Serve. (Can be covered and refrigerated overnight.)


Hungry Hormonal Adolescent Boys Flirting With My Very Young Daughter Variation:

After mixing all the ingredients together, place bowl in warm sunny location for a day or two. Then use to make sandwiches to serve to any boys who are giving the Oldest Carrotstick a little too much attention.

JUST KIDDING!!!! I don't really mean it. Well, maybe a little. But I would never do it, because leaving eggs in a warm sunny place is a breeding ground for bacteria and that could give you (or any flirtatious teenage boy) food poisoning. DO NOT DO IT!!! IT IS DANGEROUS! And bad for you.

A good Lunch Lady would never advocate or do such a thing.

But just in case:

Dear Alex,

Keep your friends away from the Oldest Carrotstick.

Oh, and have a great mission! We are so proud of you!

Love,

Aunt Lunch Lady



Happy Easter!

Happy fresh, refrigerated Egg Salad!