DEVILED EGG SPREAD

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
• Bring 6 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a deep saucepan over high heat. Add the peeled celery stalk to the boiled water, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the pan, and plunge in the ice bath.
• Remove the outer stringy layer of the celery with a vegetable peeler and discard.
• Add the vinegar to the water, and return to a boil. Add the eggs to the pan, and cook for 8 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan, and plunge in the ice bath.
• When the eggs are cool enough to handle, peel them and separate the whites from the yolks. Chop the egg whites to equal ½ cup, and reserve for Smoked Oysters on Toast if desired. Reserve the remaining whites for another use.
• Combine the egg yolks, mayonnaise, Dijon, red wine vinegar, and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
• Dice the celery and fold half into the egg yolk mixture. (Reserve the remaining celery for Smoked Oysters on Toast if desired.) Stir in the chives, black pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt.