Inspired by a mid-week trip to Penrith, to visit some very happy hens, I’ve landed at the weekend with a box full of Laid with Love eggs (!) and a plan to finally make my own scotch eggs.
I understand it’s not summer and the chances of me taking a family picnic are thinner than my good (dog) friend Harry the Whippet; but seriously homemade scotch eggs are fantastic and I’m reckoning served warm with a spicy relish and a good pint of beer, they might just work on a winter weekend.
So first to the eggs, fresh from the lakes and laid with love by some of the most free and happy hens around; I personally saw one of them wink and smile as it crossed the field humming The Soup Dragons ‘I’m Free’ (be careful what you wish for lady chicken).
Laid with Love eggs come from free range hens reared on small family farms in the Lake District where they are free to roam in fields and woodlands. The yolks are particularly yellow because the hens are fed on a special diet enriched with Lutein from marigolds – it naturally makes their yolks yellower!
I’m following a simple recipe to make the scotch eggs…
1 x 454g pack of Booths Sausage meat
6 Laid with love eggs boiled and shell removed
1 Laid with love egg, beaten
8 table spoons of Booths breadcrumbs
1 bunch of finely chopped fresh parsley
Salt and ground pepper
In a bowl season the sausage meat and add the parsley, mix well then separate the sausage meat in to 6 equal portions. Flatten the sausage meat and then cover the boiled egg pressing to ensure there are no gaps. Dip each sausage meat covered egg into the beaten egg then dip into the breadcrumbs until fully covered. Deep fry the scotch eggs for 10 minutes check the sausage meat is fully cooked and ensure the breadcrumbs are crisp and golden.
…and making sure I’ve a jar of Hawkshead Chilli Jam nearby, wonderfully warm.
And now to the beer; I’m thinking some of the best Pale ales will work a treat. Whilst again not the most wintery of ales; I’m looking for beer that is refreshing and will sit well alongside any spiciness. For these I’m looking no further than Little Valley Brewery over in Hebden Bridge.
Little Valley Brewery sits high on the Pennine moorland in West Yorkshire, brewing an inspirational range of beers. All the beers are brewed using organic ingredients and bottle conditioned to give wonderfully flavoursome, smooth ales.
My suggestion here is get in to store and try one (or two) each of the following, you won’t be disappointed.
Little Valley Organic Withens Pale Ale 500ml 3.9% £1.82
It’s light, bright and so very refreshing. Florally Cascade hops list the ale leave amazing hints of spicy orange and citrus. At 3.9% there aren’t many better session ales.
Little Valley Organic Ginger Pale Ale 4.0% £1.82
A light, fresh pale ale. A hint of citrus makes way to a lovely warming ginger taste. Alongside any spicy food, this beer will work a treat and head off any danger of a cold (not scientific but probably true).
Little Valley Organic Wheat Beer 4.5% £1.89
Brewed in the style of a true Belgian Wheat beer, light and smooth to drink. With citrusy flavours and hints of coriander, this beer is a real gem. At 4.5%; a little strong for session ale unless of course you’re in for the night.
Well I’m all set, so I’ll leave you now to enjoy.