Hemp Hemp Hooray for Scotch Eggs!
By Esther Boateng
Are you foot-loose and fancy-free when it comes to cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Do you like to create your own masterpieces with tried and tested recipes? If so, you might relish this slightly healthier version of traditional Scotch eggs.
Scotch eggs were invented by Fortnum & Mason, an old-fashioned department store established in 1707 in the UK. This surprisingly simple yet delicious recipe has two main ingredients: eggs and pork sausage meat. It makes perfect picnic food, travels well, and can be eaten hot or cold.
You can either buy ground pork at a local butcher or buy a package of your favorite pork sausages and remove the skin, which is what I did with a package of Breakfast Pork Sausages. If you buy ground pork, you might need to add additional seasoning, such as finely chopped onions and garlic. Store bought sausages are usually seasoned, so it’s best to err on the side of caution when adding your own seasoning, like salt for example. One sausage should be enough pork meat to cover one egg.
Instead of coating the eggs in regular breadcrumbs, I use a combination of raw hemp seeds, gently toasted pine nuts, and sprouted buckwheat. I usually sprout my own buckwheat, but it’s possible to buy it if you don’t want the extra job of dehydrating your own food.
I put a cup of buckwheat in a bowl and cover it with about 2 - 3 cups of water, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I rinse and drain it, then place it in the dehydrator for several hours until it completely dries and becomes crunchy. When it’s fully dehydrated, you should be able to crush it in between your fingers like sawdust.
If you’re not a fan of the nuts and seed blend, feel free to use regular breadcrumbs. The alternative coating looks more rustic, has plenty of flavor, and a good dose of additional nutrients.
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