[Tyr Zalo Hawk]: 712.Essays.Food For Thought

The significance of food in our lives runs much deeper than simple sustenance. For us, as people, we may prefer a certain flavor or texture, perhaps the food is prepared or served in a certain way that makes it special, different, as important to us as our individuality. Whatever the reasons for you and yours may be, my own significant food happens to be a dish fondly referred to as ‘deviled eggs.’ The reasons why this food is so special to me vary from taste to history, and the number continues to grow as time goes by.
To those of you who don’t know what deviled eggs are, I’ve give you a quick rundown. Deviled eggs, despite the name, are a divinely inspired gift from the Egg Gods to us unworthy mortals, in hopes of bringing us closer to eternal bliss. They are made from hardboiled eggs, mayonnaise, a dash of mustard, and lightly sprinkled with paprika. They taste absolutely delicious; they can feed any number of people; they are even easy to make. What could be better in a food? Nothing, that’s what. Deviled eggs have a slippery, supple exterior which makes them easily processed by mouth, throat, and stomach, and yet also possess that creamy filling which makes the dish what it is. The mustard and mayo combine so smoothly with the yolk that you hardly know what ingredients are actually present. While the paprika is completely optional, that’s just not the way my mom made them. Not the way I fell in love with them.
My mom has always made deviled eggs for certain special occasions, and I suppose that’s where the original sense of importance came from. I didn’t get to eat deviled eggs often, and with how much I loved to eat them it was almost heartbreaking when we’d go to a family gathering or dinner and there’d be no eggs. In fact, as time passed it seemed that I was able to enjoy the miracle of the dish in question less and less, making them all the more enjoyable whenever I could have them. It’s gotten to a point where the mere mention of the name triggers a hunger impulse in me - like it’s a drug, in its own small way.
While I might often state that I have confusion picking what exactly is my favorite food, I can definitely say which one is the most significant to me. This one side dish has changed the way I look at mayonnaise, introduced me to the wonders of paprika, and taught me a valuable lesson on how to be quick if you wanted to get more than one before everyone else stole the treasure from you. Deviled eggs: eat ‘em, love ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.

© Tyr Hawkaluk (2004-Present)