Get Creative with Eggs during National Egg Salad Week

This week we not only celebrate Passover and Easter, but we also celebrate the staple food that is a major part of these big holidays – eggs! Every year, the Egg Nutrition Center sponsors National Egg Salad Week, which is a perfect time to make use of all of the leftover eggs you have from the big holiday. Whether you are using eggs as a major leavening ingredient in your Passover recipes or getting creative and coloring them for Easter, the egg is also known as a fundamental food that should be incorporated into every healthy meal plan.

Eggs are one of the richest sources of protein in that they contain the exact percentages of essential amino acids your body needs to build the proteins you need for optimal health. Eggs are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal and can be cooked in a variety of different ways including scrambled, over easy, sunny side up, hard boiled or poached. If you get bored of the typical scrambled egg breakfast, try something new this week by turning plain hard boiled eggs into a tasty egg salad! Making egg salad is a fun and different way to enjoy eggs because you can add or subtract any ingredient you want to make it your own. You can eat it plain or between two slices of whole grain bread or matzoh to make a satisfying sandwich.

There are a variety of ingredients you can add to create different flavor and texture combinations so that egg salad never goes out of style! First off, when making egg salad, choose a low fat or fat free mayonnaise as the base so that you keep the added fat and calories to a minimum. Pepper is always a good seasoning to start with, but remember there are other herbs and spices you can use to add flavor. Try ingredients like paprika, dill, red onion, Dijon mustard, parsley, basil or onion powder. Don’t hesitate to add extra vegetables like chopped celery, bell peppers and avocados. Top off your egg salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato and you’ve got yourself a delicious and wholesome lunch!

Happy National Egg Salad Week!

Your turn to take action: What is your favorite way to enjoy egg salad!