This Scotch eggs recipe was inspired by a branding snack and a cold, windy, Wyoming day on the prairie. The wind whipped about me mercilessly, as I waited for the cowboys to get their food and coffee. The sun was shining and the temperature hung around 45*, but it didn’t feel that warm on the open prairie. The sound of cows and calves bawling drowned out the talking and laughter of the cowboys. We were all gathered around the boss’ truck for a quick coffee break and snack.
When I looked in the foil-covered pan sitting on the tailgate, I saw something that looked like sausage balls. I took one, because I love sausage! The hot sausage warmed my cold hands, and I bit into it as the Wyoming wind whipped my hair. Inside the sausage was a hard-boiled egg!
Then I remembered… Cliff had told me that this ranch served something called “Scotch Eggs”. His description of a hard-boiled egg inside sausage had sounded delicious. I was happy to get a chance to try them. Somehow, it seemed the perfect food for a branding snack. Hot, easy to hold, full of protein – to give the cowboys energy.
I relished every bite, and resolved to go home and make them myself! Since that day on the wide and windy prairie, I have made them often. Today I want to share with you this incredibly easy, filling breakfast food.
How to make Scotch Eggs
The process is quite simple. You take a pound of bulk pork sausage, divide into 6 equal parts, and flatten each part. Then you place a hard-boiled egg on top of the sausage, and wrap the sausage around the egg. The wrapping is the hardest part – you might have to squish it a bit to get the egg completely covered. You can divide the sausage into only 5 parts for a thicker sausage layer, if you like. Last, you roll each sausage ball in seasoned breadcrumbs. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Tips for scotch eggs
- You can make these and wrap each one in foil, place all in a crockpot to stay warm, and take them to the field. Or to a potluck.
- You can also freeze scotch eggs, just thaw and reheat in the oven.
- Omit the breadcrumbs, if you are gluten-free.
You might like these branding coffee-break snacks:
10 Awesome Cowboy Snacks
Donuts from refrigerated biscuits
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
And don’t forget all the cowboys’ favorite: Kay’s Cinnamon Rolls!
Scotch Egg Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, hard-boiled peeled
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 1 cup breadcrumbs, seasoned
Instructions
- Cook and peel the eggs.
- Divide the sausage into 6 equal portions
- Smash each sausage ball flat
- Lay egg on sausage
- Wrap sausage around egg
- Roll in breadcrumbs.
- Place on a pan
- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
It’s a common mistake, but these are Scotch Eggs, not Scottish. The name refers to the method to mince the meat and nothing to do with Scotland. In fact they were invented in England
Interesting! Thanks for the correction.
So good!