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Prep time
15 minutes
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Cook time
5 minutes
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Makes
1 sandwich, but can be doubled, tripled, etc.
Author Notes
My favorite summer sandwich, the classic egg salad, just got a whole lot better. A few months ago, I stumbled on Arabella Boxer’s “The Spice Book.” In it I discovered the most marvelous spice, seed and nut blend, called “dukkah,” as well as Ms. Boxer’s excellent recommendation to eat it with eggs. I’ve been hooked, and I mean really hooked, ever since. This recipe is for a basic egg salad, which I make using my homemade garlic and mustard aioli. (If you don't have the time, or just don't feel like making aioli, don't worry - a good mayo will do just fine.) A fat pinch of dukkah and a small handful of peppery watercress or arugula utterly transform it. Or just use whatever greens you have on hand. Vegetarians take note - this is a killer sandwich without the bacon. Either way, enjoy!! ;o)
Sandwich fan? Tune into our podcast, The Sandwich Universe, where co-hosts and longtime BFFs Molly Baz and Declan Bond debate and cook up iconic sandwiches every ‘wich way. —AntoniaJames
Test Kitchen Notes
WHO: AntoniaJames is a lawyer and passionate home cook from Piedmont, California.
WHAT: Just about the best egg salad sandwich we've ever had.
HOW: AntoniaJames binds the egg salad with a zippy homemade aioli, sprinkles it with a spice-nut blend called dukkah, and throws it on toast with bacon and greens.
WHY WE LOVE IT: We can't wait to use dukkah more often; the spiced, nutty flavor is a perfect way to spruce up any classic sandwich -- or egg dish, for that matter. Who knew egg salad could be this exciting? —The Editors
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Ingredients
- The Sandwich – Makes one sandwich, but can be doubled, tripled, etc.
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2 hard cooked eggs, peeled and cooled
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1 tablespoon aioli or good mayonnaise + more for spreading on the bread, if desired
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1 teaspoon Dijon or stoneground mustard (if not using an aioli with a strong mustard flavor)
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A healthy pinch or two of dukkah, or more, or less, to taste
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2 slices good sandwich bread, toasted (See note, below.)
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1 or 2 slices of natural bacon, cooked until crisp (optional)
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Small handful of watercress or arugula
- Dukkah – Makes a bit more than ¼ cup
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2 tablespoons raw pepitas or pumpkin seeds
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2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
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2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
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2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
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1 ½ teaspoons good black peppercorns or grains of paradise (I like Malabar black pepper for this, but a Tellicherry will also do just fine.)
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½ teaspoon flaky sea salt, or more to taste
Directions
- The Sandwich – Makes one sandwich, but can be doubled, tripled, etc.
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Halve the eggs, remove the yolks and put them in a small bowl.
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Add the aioli and mustard (if using) and mash together well, using the back of a fork. Coarsely chop the whites of the eggs and stir them into the mashed yolks, with the dukkah. Taste, and add more salt, or more dukkah, or both, if necessary. (If adding both, add the dukkah first, taste again, and then add salt if necessary. Remember, the dukkah has salt in it.)
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If you want a bit of extra aioli or mayonnaise on the toasted bread, spread some on one or both slices.
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You can either chop the bacon up and stir it into the egg salad, or put the strips on the sandwich itself. Either way, heap the egg salad and greens on the toasted bread. other.
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Put the sides together, then cut in half.
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Serve with a smile and enjoy!! ;o)
- Dukkah – Makes a bit more than ¼ cup
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Toast the pepitas or pumpkin seeds in a small heavy skillet until they just start to darken and release their fragrance. Remove immediately from the pan and allow them to cool a bit.
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Toast the cumin and coriander seeds, each in turn, in the same skillet, removing from the pan as soon as they start to darken. Do not tarry, as they can burn easily in the hot pan, even when removed from the stove.
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Toast the sesame seeds in the same skillet, shaking periodically to make sure they brown evenly. Remove when they start to darken just a bit.
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Grind the pepitas in a spice mill to a coarse powder. Don’t worry if there are a few larger pieces. Remove from the mill and put into a medium bowl.
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Grind the spices together until fine, and then add to the bowl with the ground pepitas.
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Grind the peppercorns coarsely and add to the bowl.
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Add the sesame seeds and salt and stir well until the blend is thoroughly combined.
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Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator. It should hold for several weeks at least, depending on the freshness of the pepitas and sesame seeds.
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Enjoy!! ;o)
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