1 small red bell pepper, finely diced for decoration
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika for a hint of warmth
Optional: Natural green food coloring or finely blended spinach for color
Instructions
Place your eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the eggs immediately to an ice bath for 5 minutes to ensure they are easy to peel and have a perfectly set yolk.
Carefully peel the eggs and slice them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks gently with a small spoon and place them into a mixing bowl. Set the empty egg white halves on a serving platter, ensuring they are dry and stable.
Mash the egg yolks with a fork until they are fine and crumbly. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and your chosen green coloring or herbs. Mix until the filling is completely smooth and creamy. If you want the trees to stand tall, the mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape.
Transfer the yolk mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the filling into the center of each egg white, swirling upward in a circular motion to create a pointed, tree-like peak. Aim for a height of about an inch to really mimic the look of an evergreen tree.
Take your finely diced red bell pepper bits and gently press them into the green filling to look like tiny ornaments. You can also sprinkle a tiny bit of smoked paprika at the very base for color or add a tiny star cut from yellow pepper at the top of each tree for the perfect finishing touch.
