Deviled describes food that's been prepared with spicy or zesty seasonings, especially mustard, pepper, or hot sauce. The most famous example is deviled eggs: hard-boiled eggs cut in half, with the yolks mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and paprika, then spooned back into the whites. The “deviled” part refers to the heat and tang of the seasonings, which are meant to make the food seem hot and fiery.

You might also see deviled ham, which is chopped ham mixed with spices and seasonings. The word appears in deviled crab and other dishes where the filling gets a spicy kick.

The term has nothing to do with evil or anything scary. It's just a colorful way of saying “this has some zing to it!” When you see “deviled” on a menu or recipe, expect something with a bit of kick, something more exciting than plain or mild. The word reminds us that cooking is full of personality: sometimes gentle and subtle, sometimes bold and spicy.