Thyme Caramelised Onion Mini Scotch Eggs Recipes

THYME & CARAMELISED ONION MINI SCOTCH EGGS

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.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pan set over medium-high heat. Peel and slice the onions into rounds while the butter is melting and add them to the pot. Toss to coat the onions and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Turn the heat down to medium and do not cover the pot. You want these babies to get brown! Stir occasionally, for about 10 to 15 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-low. Keep stirring (switch to a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits) until the onions are browned and soft. Add the thyme leaves, toss and remove from the heat. These will keep for 5 days in a covered bowl in the refrigerator. Use the leftovers with eggs, on top of a salad, or straight from the bowl with a fork.

CREAMY EGGS AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Bring the eggs to a boil in water to cover. Boil 5 minutes, remove from heat, and let stand 20 minutes. (This technique avoids the green ring around the yolk.) Drain and peel and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
• Slice the onions into rings. Melt the butter in a very large skillet over low heat and add the onions. Salt them lightly, stir to coat with butter, cover the pan and cook for about 10 miutes. Stir, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Uncover and let most of the liquid cook away. Onions should be very tender and browned.
• Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir until no dry flour is visible. Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring or whisking, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the sliced eggs and heat through.
• TO SERVE TO GUESTS -- sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and/or paprika, because this dish is a little bland-looking. ADVANCE PREP -- the eggs can be boiled and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance. The onions can be caramelized 3 days in advance and refrigerated.