Eggs Jeanette

A nice (and very simple) first course or light supper for Easter. Serve with chilled pinot grigio and fresh, warm French bread. This is a recipe that Jacques' mother used to make when he was a child.

Recipe

6 hard cooked eggs, peeled
1 to 2 T. milk
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 T. peanut oil

DRESSING:
2 T. reserved egg yolk mixture from above
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 T. water
pinch of salt
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c. grapeseed oil (or olive oil)

Cut the eggs in half, remove yolks and mash with a fork, or put through a food mill. Chop the garlic with the parsley and mix in with the yolks, then add the milk, garlic, salt and pepper – mixture should be moist and hold together. Stuff the whites with the yolk mixture, reserving about 2 T. for the dressing. Don't pile the filling too high, level off before frying so they sit flat in the skillet.

Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet. When the oil is hot add the egg halves, stuffed side down, and fry over medium heat for 2 minutes until browned (do not cook the white side!).

Make the dressing by adding all of the ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly pour in the oil and mix until well incorporated. Pour the dressing on a flat plate and arrange the eggs on top.

– Jacques Pépin, "Essential Pépin"