Scotch Eggs Pigs In The Hen House Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a pan of salted water to a rapid boil, then lower four of the eggs into the pan and simmer for 7 mins 30 secs exactly. Scoop out and place in a bowl of iced water, cracking the shells a little (this makes them easier to peel later). Leave them to cool completely, then peel and set aside. Can be boiled the day before.
• Put the sausagemeat, pepper, ham, stuffing and herbs in a small bowl, mix to combine, then divide into four equal balls. Squash one of the balls between a piece of cling film until it's as flat as possible. One at a time, lightly flour each cooked egg, then use the cling film to help roll the sausagemeat around the egg to completely encase. Repeat with the remaining sausageballs and eggs.
• Beat the remaining egg and put on a plate. Put the flour and breadcrumbs on two separate plates. Roll the encased eggs in the flour, then the beaten egg and finally the breadcrumbs. Can be prepared up to a day in advance.
• To cook the eggs, heat 5cm of the oil in a wide saucepan or wok until it reaches 160C on a cooking thermometer or until a few breadcrumbs turn golden after 10 secs in the oil. Depending on the size of your pan, lower as many eggs as you can into the oil, and cook for 8-10 mins until golden and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper, leave to cool a little, then serve halved with some piccalilli.

Steps:

• Divide the sausage into six portions; flatten and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shape each portion around a peeled hard-boiled egg. Roll in beaten egg, then in cornflake crumbs. Place on a rack in a baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning every 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Fill a large pan with water and bring to the boil. Fill a bowl with cold water and add the vinegar. Lower the quail's eggs into the boiling water with a slotted spoon and cook for 2 mins. Scoop out the eggs, plunge them into the vinegar water and leave to cool for at least 20 mins, or drain and chill for up to 24 hrs.
• In a large bowl, mash the sausagemeat, thyme and chutney until well combined. Drain and carefully peel the eggs. They should be softly boiled, so will be delicate - try not to break the egg white as you peel them.
• Spread the flour over a plate. Whisk the hen's eggs in a wide, shallow bowl and tip the breadcrumbs into a third dish. Divide the sausage mixture into 12 patties. Take one patty and flatten it in the palm of your hand. Put a peeled egg in the centre and carefully wrap the patty around the egg to completely enclose it. Roll in flour, then egg, then the breadcrumbs. Continue with the remaining 11 eggs, then chill for at least 30 mins, or overnight.
• Half-fill a large pan with oil, heat to 180C on a thermometer, or until a cube of bread browns in 45 secs. Gently drop in a few eggs, making sure you don't overcrowd the pan, and cook for 3 mins or until deep golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a tray lined with kitchen paper, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm or cold. Will keep in the fridge for 1 day.