Scotch egg | Egg-wrapped Sausage, British Picnic & Pub Snack (2024)

FAQs

Where are Scotch eggs a snack or picnic food? ›

Scotch egg, a traditional British dish consisting of a shelled hard-boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, covered in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried or baked until crispy. It is a popular pub and picnic dish and is commonly served cold in Britain.

But while these hearty snacks have been served at picnics, pubs and corner stores in the United Kingdom since the late 18th century, the Scotch egg's modish repute stateside is a fairly recent phenomenon. Why, then, has it become one of the hottest rising trends on American menus?

Mustard sauce

Mustard is a common condiment served with various meat-based dishes, and Scotch eggs are no exception. This combination has become a traditional and classic pairing - the piquant and zesty notes of the mustard sauce bring out the best in the Scotch eggs and give it an extra punch.

Scotch eggs can be served cold or hot. The Scotch egg was created in London, England, not Scotland. It was initially created as an on-the-go meal as people from London would travel to their countryside homes. The simple recipe has since been revived and is now a staple at pubs and farmers' markets.

You may be surprised to discover that London department store Fortnum & Mason claim to have invented the Scotch Egg in 1738. There are several theories on the origin of this delicacy, but none of them point to Scotland. So although it is much enjoyed throughout Scotland, the Scotch Egg is not actually Scottish.

Their name in those days was 'Scotties,' allegedly because they were made at an eatery by the name of William J Scott & Sons close to the seafront. Hence, over a period of time, the term Scotch eggs was adopted.

a whopping 50% more protein than your standard hen's fare, plus double the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Adding iron-rich black pudding to your sausage casing pumps up the body-bulking calories, while coating it with pine nut-spiked breadcrumbs gives you a bump of cholesterol-crushing fats and fibre.

Scotch eggs have a savory interior with a surprisingly crisp and airy exterior. They seem like they would be heavy, but they're actually very light on the palate.

Cooked Scotch Eggs will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you are preparing Scotch Eggs in advance and want to store them until you're ready to cook, you can store Uncooked Scotch Eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze Scotch eggs for around three months.

For those asking for the difference: Scotch egg is boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, rolled in breadcrumbs and is deep-fried or baked. Eggroll (Nigerian) is made from boiled egg covered in doughnut-like flour dough and is deep-fried.

What is a good side dish for Scotch eggs? ›

Scotch eggs can be served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. It could even work as a light meal with a fresh side salad! You might also consider pairing it with a dipping sauce for extra flavor or something with a British flair, such as Basic Mashed Potatoes or British Baked Beans.

We wouldn't recommend freezing these, as the texture of the egg will likely be affected.

Place the egg in the middle and wrap the egg with the meat. Pinch the edges together and smooth the ball so that there are no gaps or bumps. (If the covering isn't even, the Scotch egg will split during cooking.)

a whopping 50% more protein than your standard hen's fare, plus double the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Adding iron-rich black pudding to your sausage casing pumps up the body-bulking calories, while coating it with pine nut-spiked breadcrumbs gives you a bump of cholesterol-crushing fats and fibre.

Paradoxically, a scotch egg seems a bit much at breakfast, but any time after midday it is the perfect interregnum snack – enough to stave off hunger pangs, but in no way a filling meal.

Scatter with some sea salt and serve with mustard mayo or minty tartare sauce, or serve cold.