the vegetarian butcher

SO MANY EGGS IN ONE BASKET...

My Scotch eggs arrived safe in their case

Each one delicately put in its place

Chef better get cracking

His recipe not lacking

Else he is left with egg on his face!!!

They arrived today, and what a delightful delivery!  I had planned to wait until Chef got back from work to make his own Scotch eggs, line them up and compare them to these freshly made ones from the Handmade Scotch Egg Co, but I was far too hungry and curious not to have a wee sample ahead of him.  As it turns out, not such a bad thing I was so impatient this time.  His work beckoned and it will be at least another day before he is able to make his own at home. It would have been cruel to leave me so tempted and left waiting, right?!

the Handmade Scotch Egg Co delivery!

I was unreasonably excited about receiving this delivery and the impression it made upon removing the ice and boxes from the insulated case was worth the anticipation.  I just loved the simple but perfect packaging, individual egg casings neatly labelled.  Peering down on them was like hovering over a box of chocolates without the flavour map wondering which one to pick!  

My first was the 'Worcester'.  Lovely small chunks of potato-y goodness breaking up the smoother vegetarian sausage mix, and you can taste it all; the local cheeses, the onion, the garlic.....yum!!!  They say these Scotch eggs can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days but I think if they are all this nice they won't be around for long. And when I say long, I don't think they will last the night! With my curiosity calmed for a moment, hunger at bay, I thought I could wait, but within less than 20 minutes (I think that's the recommended time to determine if you are in fact still hungry?), I was back cutting into the 'Sunburst'.  Great seedy texture and again very distinct flavours, the Sunburst is probably what most people would imagine a vegetarian Scotch egg to be and has the added benefit for some of being wheat free.  Tasty, hearty but possibly not quite as good as the first.  Is it ever?!! Well, I had to continue with the others to find out...

 'Sunburst'

Not long since our foray into vegetarian haggis, I discover another one worthy of mention is 'Hetty', a Scotch egg made of vegetarian haggis wrapped snugly round a perfect boiled egg and probably best served warm with a little salt to bring out all the flavours.  It might just rival our own patties!

  

 

If I can decide a favourite I may have to try to incorporate those flavours next time I venture into making my own  vegetarian Scotch eggs.  Of course, if our Vegetarian Butcher shop ever becomes a reality these fine folks are always on the lookout for potential stockists.  Not only do they have a delicious selection from which to choose, they seem to have their shipping of fresh Scotch eggs down to a fine art.  

So no pressure Chef, but...