Basil, Avocado, Bacon Deviled Eggs (aka Green Eggs and Ham)

Basil, Avocado, Bacon Deviled Eggs (aka Green Eggs and Ham) are a healthier version of the classic appetizer, with some flavor upgrades.

Unplugged

I did it, and it was fantastic!

Unplugging for the weekend was amazing!  3 days without a cell phone, computer, TV, or a watch.  I think there were only 3 times that I would have liked to Google an answer or look something up.  2 out the 3 times I was able to get the answer from a stranger, and the third went unanswered (driving me crazy all weekend!  And of course the question was forgotten as soon as I could look it up!).  I had some great conversations, met some interesting people (who most of which I would have talked to with or without having a cell phone on me), and appreciated some amazing scenery and a cute cute town.

Oh, and ate some amazing food.  Mostly Paleo cheats- but they definitely contributed to some sweet ideas for future recipes.

One of the most amazing moments was a pull-off overlooking a gorgeous lake.  The view was breath-taking, but the thing that was so amazing to me was the lack of human noise!  Even though it was just off the highway, there was little traffic, with “silent” moments between cars driving by.  I say “silent” because it wasn't.  It was anything but silent.  Nature filled the air.  Right where it was supposed to be, uninterrupted by traffic, airplanes, fans, construction, electric buzzing, talking, or TV (all of which I can hear at this moment while on my laptop).  Birds chirping (I could make out 3 or 4 different types); the wind off the lake, trees, and grass; and insects buzzing (though I didn't hear the mosquitoes that found me) busily.  And the air tasted and smelled so fresh and so clean!

I was so happy to sit there, leaned up against a rock with the sun warming my face, just taking it in with my eyes closed.  How lucky that I had decided to get out there and stretch.  I've actually been thinking a lot recently about noise and sound pollution and how hard it is to get away from it.  Even if you drive great distances, it's hard to get away from the echoes of traffic, the roaring of jets overhead, and the chatter of other people out enjoying nature.  It's been a long time, and I've been craving it.  Wanting to know that you can still experience that, and not having to trek into the bush for 3 days to find it.

When a family pulled up nearby, I opened my eyes and enjoyed the scenery a little longer.  There was a hairy little fly on my thumb, tasting my skin with that weird little mouth.  I raised my arm up and we watched each other for a while until it took off.  Then I finally decided to go back to the car and grab my camera.  I watched some ants going about their business on the rocks around me; admired the different shades of a multitude of mosses; watched a crow play in the breeze far below my perch, then another one far above me;  and noticed some raindrops that had fallen only moments before, settling on leaves and glistening magically on a spider web.

Driving home on Monday, refreshed and recharged, Nature wasn't finished with me.  She brought a couple types of deer (must have seen around 20), a small black bear, medium sized brown bear, and even a rabbit out for me to enjoy (and dodge).

And then, life changed.

78 unread messages in my inbox.  A dozen texts messages.  And the next day I bought my new cell phone.  I hate to talk about how much I love this new Samsung Galaxy S5 after telling you about how amazing my weekend without mobile connection was, so I'll just tell you that my photos look amazing on it.

But my mind is still benefiting from the weekend:  I'm outside now, looking up occasionally to admire how green the grass and bushes are, to watch a bee bounce by, and to watch a crow play with something 100 feet away.

I recommend it.  Unplugging, I mean.  Well, the phone too.  And making Basil, Avocado, Bacon Deviled Eggs.

I used the NomNomPaleo method for “perfect hard boiled eggs“, but they didn't peal as easily as she made it sound (I think there was an issue with the cold water not being that cold – there may have been some hot water spillage).

Basil, Avocado, Bacon Deviled Eggs

---

• Author: Raj - www.ThePrimalDesire.com
• Yield: 24 appetizer bites 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 eggs (hard-boiled and shelled)
• 6 slices bacon
• 2 green chilies (diced)
• 1–2 avocados (peeled, pitted, and mashed)
• 1–2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 cup basil (shredded)
• Salt to taste

(optional)

• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 5-ish blades of chives (1.5″ lengths for garnish)
• 3 cherry tomatoes (slivered for garnish)

---

Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pan on medium heat until crisp.
2. Put on paper towel to allow oil to be absorbed. Dice when dry.
3. Carefully cut each hard boiled egg in half (lengthwise).
4. Remove egg yolks, setting egg whites on a platter/plate/baking dish.
5. In a mixing bowl, mash yolks with the avocado, garlic, paprika, lime juice, chilies, basil, salt, bacon and mustard together.
6. Spoon mixture into a piping bag, or use a Zip-lock bag, then cut a hole in one corner.
7. Pipe mixture into egg whites to desired fullness.
8. Garnish with chives and cherry tomato slivered wedges.

Notes

The leftover green yolk mix makes a fantastic dip of it's own, cross between a pesto and a guacamole. Serve with vegetables, Paleo crackers, or use as a spread.

• Category: Appies