Scotch quail eggs

Ingredients


  • 12 quail eggs
  • 600g good-quality sausage meat, removed from casings
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as sage or thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups dried breadcrumbs
  • Sunflower oil, for deep-frying

Description

  • 1.

    Place the quail eggs in a saucepan of cold water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 6 minutes. Remove, refresh under cold water, then peel.

  • 2.

    Mix together the sausage meat and herbs, season with salt and pepper and divide into 12 balls. Roll each quail egg in flour, then enclose in a ball of sausage meat to completely cover. Roll in flour again, then dip in beaten egg and coat in breadcrumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.

  • 3.

    Half fill a deep-fryer or large heavy-based saucepan with oil and heat to 190°C. (If you don't have a deep-fryer thermometer, a cube of bread will turn golden in 30 seconds if oil is hot enough.) Fry quail eggs in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden. Serve with a good-quality sea salt, and a glass of whisky on the rocks.